116 POWDER FLASK. 



can be done. I have seen the one of Mr. Egg repeatedly 

 tried by himself. To do this, he dropped a red hot 

 nail into the barrel, which, of course, instantly fired the 

 measure put into it. He then unscrewed the top, and 

 showed me the remainder of the powder in the horn, 

 having only guarded his right hand by a shield of 

 pasteboard, to avoid being burnt by the charge from 

 the barrel. 



The principle of it is so secure as to render it im- 

 possible for the powder in the flask to ignite, while in 

 the act of loading, by the passage being completely 

 cut off, from the lever being placed on the top of a 

 strong plate instead of underneath. It also prevents 

 the flash out of the barrel from injuring the hand, as 

 the charger is fixed in an octant position, with a vent 

 to let out the flame. 



The springs of these powder flasks must be kept 

 very clean and free, or, like many other ingenious pa- 

 tents, they will fall victims to the abuse of slovenly 

 sportsmen. Mr. Egg says, he " begs leave to caution 

 gentlemen of a trumpery Sheffield flask (sold in the 

 shops), with an upright charger, not being calculated 

 to answer the purpose intended, though it is an infringe- 

 ment on his patent." I have now used also the flask of 

 Mr. Sykes, since it has been improved. It appears to 

 be perfectly safe ; and nothing can be more convenient : 

 and, what is desirable in these hard times, this flask is 

 not an expensive one. 



Another caution relative to powder horns in the 



field : If you should have fired one barrel, and, while 



in the act of reloading it, other game should be sprung, 



beware of firing the other barrel until you have either 



put the flash in your pocket, or thrown it on the ground. 



