mafee an olti <6tm sijoot tocll. 



THIS may be done, if the barrel be of sufficient sub- 

 stance ; of tolerably good iron ; and perfectly sound ; 

 first by boring it'* (as before mentioned) so as to have 

 friction downwards, and this gradually relieved for- 

 ward; secondly, by putting in a chamber plug (vide 

 plate) ; and, thirdly, by giving immense strength to 

 the mainspring of the lock. 



This recipe may not only be worth the observation 

 of those who cannot afford a new gun, but useful to 

 officers on service ; who, from not wishing to increase 

 their baggage, when constantly engaged, take no gun 

 with them ; and are, perhaps, after a summer's cam- 

 paign stationed in winter quarters, where they have 

 plenty of leisure, and the finest shooting, though with 

 no other fowling-piece than a regimental musket. This 

 was the case on the expedition to New Orleans, in the 

 country near which place the wildfowl were innumerable. 



A regimental armourer (even if he had the means) 

 might not be perfectly master of the boring ; and if he 

 was, where, on service 9 would he get a lathe ? but the 

 perforated plug and the strengthening of the main- 



* In a stout barrel, even the deep flaws may be easily got rid of, 

 by means of making it red hot, and beating them in, before you fresh 

 bore it. 



