DETONATING SYSTEM. 75 



N.B. Now turn the book : and, by looking at these sections with 

 the page lengthwise, you will perceive that they are not left-hand 

 breechings, as they appear to be in the above position. But each 

 one is the upper half of a ngA<-hand breeching, cut through the 

 centre, as you would divide the body of a lobster. 



COPPER PRIMERS. 



These were decidedly invented by Joe Manton ; and 

 give the quickest of all communications. [Vide 

 Breechings.] But with a copper primer you have the 

 inconvenience of pushing the little tube against the 

 resistance of a spring, every time you load, and the 

 extra trouble of keeping clean the machinery on your 

 lock-plate, not to say a word of its ugly appearance. 

 Although the copper primer may be perfectly safe to 

 the shooter himself, yet wo betide the eye of his com- 

 panion if the tube happens to escape and fly off side- 

 wise ! It must be admitted, however, that for battus 

 and other incessant firing, the copper primer is riot so 

 liable to " choke up" as the copper-cap gun. This 

 primer is the only percussion recipe that will give a 

 short communication, and therefore certain ignition, to 

 large duck-guns : moreover, it is the only thing for 

 salt water ; as you can wax the primers, and make 

 them water-proof. [The anti-corrosive powder should 

 not be used for copper primers.^ Lancaster has im- 

 proved on this plan. I have not yet tried his inven- 

 tion, but it is evidently the safest of all detonaters ; 

 and therefore, as I have seen several letters in its favour 

 from some of the first shots in the kingdom, it will not 

 be amiss, I trust, to give the following specification. 



