DUCK GUNS. 275 



should not weigh less than 12, nor exceed \Qlbs. arid 

 be used with No. 1 or 2! shot ; and the same proportion 

 of powder as before recommended. One to carry five 

 or six ounces should not weigh less than 18, nor exceed 

 QQlbs., and be used with A or B shot ; and so on in pro- 

 portion; but this is the most that can well be fired 

 without a rest. 



The recoil of a duck gun can only be checked by 

 weight of metal, and there are two ways to dispose of 

 it: the one, immense thickness, whereby the gun may 

 be short, portable, and easily managed ; and the other, 

 considerable length, by which you may kill farther, and 

 take a much more accurate aim. The former was the 

 plan of Mr. Joseph Manton, the latter is that of Mr. D. 

 Egg : and, in order to partake a little of both advan- 

 tages, I should steer between the two, and have my 

 barrels never less than three feet eight, nor more than 

 four feet four inches, unless I used a rest; by which 

 means a gun being top-heavy is rendered quite the re- 

 verse of objectionable. In this case, I should adopt the 

 plan of Mr. D. Egg, as the best in every respect. (Since 

 the first edition of this book was published, Mr. Joseph 

 Manton had generally adopted the proportions therein 

 recommended, and made some of the best duck guns 

 that could possibly be turned out of hand. He declared 

 to me, that he gained a more perfect knowledge of his 

 business by making duck guns, than by any other branch 

 of practice.) 



A broad heel-plate contributes greatly to lessen the 

 recoil; and, in some of the largest sized shoulder guns, 

 a sponge has sometimes been found necessary, to prevent 

 the guard from cutting the second finger. 



As to the best length for duck guns that are used 



T 2 



