DUCK GUNS. 



277 



with waxed end, round the handle, similar to a cricket 

 bat, which rather lessens the jar ; and the upper part 

 of the but very much cut away, in order to prevent it 

 from hurting the shoulder bone. I also paint and 

 varnish the stock, by which means it does not get 

 cracked, after being wetted with salt water. The gun- 

 makers' stocks I found were always a great plague on 

 this account, as well as from the trouble of keeping them 

 in order, after being exposed to the spray of the sea. 

 Add to which, they recoil most unmercifully, and are 

 therefore only fit for light charges. I should always 

 have these stocks rather short ; as one that would mount 

 well in a shooting jacket, would be unmanageably long 

 in a gunning dress. 



The following is the average of several shots, tried at 

 twelve sheets of thick brown paper, to ascertain the 

 difference between two common duck guns, and a very 

 superior double gun, made by Mr, Joseph Manton. 



