THE GUN-STOCK.] 



SHOOTING, 



[parts of a gun. 



commissioned oflBcers and men ; about 120 

 prisoners, from their wounds, unfit to be re- 

 moved, remained in Austria. These returns, 

 which are, no doubt, approximately correct, 

 speak volumes as to the science and art of 

 war. They have been everywhere understood ; 

 and the military monarchies throughout 

 Europe are reorganising their armies, and 

 arming them with the needle-gun, or some 

 equally or more effective weapon. Prussia, as 

 the leader of 40,000,000 of Germans, having a 

 seaboard on. the Baltic, is a very different 

 power from the Prussia of even ten years 

 back. "What the probable effect may be in 

 Europe it is not necessary now to consider. 

 Still, there can be no doubt that it will be 

 (if it is not now the time) very necessary for 

 every European state to adopt the best 

 means which may be in its power to place 

 itself in an attitude of defence. The rapidity 

 with which scientific skill, in the art of war, 

 is daily developing itself, proves this advice 

 not to be mistimed ; we therefore offer it 

 from a consideration of its usefulness, as 

 well as from the hope that it may rather 

 prevent than promote the destruction of our 

 species. 



THE GUN-STOCK. 



This is an important part of the fowling- 

 piece. In fixing upon the length, bend, 

 and cutting of the stock, there has been 

 much nicety laid down for the guidance os 

 gun-makers. Colonel Hawker maintains, that 

 the framing of a stock of a gun should vary 

 with the precise make of the man who has to 

 use it. It should be fitted to the shooter, 

 who should have his measure for its several 

 parts as formally entered into the gunsmith's 

 books as a man has in a tailor's for a suit of 

 clothes. Some manufacturers have a machine, 

 or stoclc gauge, by which they measure the out- 

 lines of their customers as regards their length 

 of arm, neck, &c., so as to furnish each man 

 with a gun-stock that will agree with his pecu- 

 liar bodily conformation. This has something 

 like common sense to recommend it. It has 

 been justly observed, that there is full as much 

 gkill required to fit a man with a gun-stock, in 

 agrcem.eut with his make, as there is to fit a 

 dandy with a complete suit of clothes. 



Besides the parts which we have described^ 

 498 



there are others belonging to a gun, of which 

 it is necessary for the sportsman to have some 

 knowledge. It is not essential, however, to 

 describe them with the same degree of ful- 

 ness which we have given to the preceding 

 portions. 



OTHER PARTS OF A GUN. 



Bolts. — Irons which enter the loops or eyes of 

 the barrel to fasten it to the stock. 



Bridle. — A polished piece of steel -which caps the 

 tumbler, and is secured by two screws. It likewise 

 receives the scear-screw. 



Butt of Stock. — The shouldered extremity of the 

 stock. 



Cap. — It covers the ramrod screw-cap, and is also 

 used for the tip of the stock. 



Casting off. — The outward inclination given to 

 the butt-end of the gun being intended to incline 

 the line of aim inwards. 



Chain or Sivivel. — A small catch suspended from 

 the neck of the tumbler, to receive the extremity 

 of the mainspring. 



Chamber. — The central cavity within the breech, 

 to receive the powder. The ante-chamher is the 

 small one which connects these with the touch- 

 hole. 



Coch. — In the flint-gun it holds in its jaws the 

 flint ; in the percussion-gun it is equally a cock, 

 but there it is more frequently called the striker. 



Cock-screw. — The screw that brings the jaws of 

 the cock together. 



Cup. — The cavity seen at the top of many of the 

 improved breechings. 



Escutcheons. — Ornamental pieces of silver to 

 prevent the bolts from defacing the stock when the 

 turnscrew and pincers are applied. Escutcheons 

 are likewise used on other parts to receive initials, 

 crests, shields, &c. 



False Breech. — This receives the hutt or nose of 

 the breech when the barrel is fastened into the 

 stock. 



Elevated Breech or Bib. — This is a top piece much 

 elevated, first used by Mr. Joseph Manton. 



Fence. — The part between the cock and the pan 

 which receives the solid stock. 



Guard. — The bow which defends the trigger. 



Hammer-spring. — That on which the hammer 

 moves. 



Hammer-hridle. — The part in which the tail of 

 the hammer works. 



Heel-plate. — The plate with which the heel of the 

 stock is tipped. 



Jaws. — The lips of the cock which holds the flint. 



Lock-plate. — This supports the piincipal works of 

 the lock. 



Main-spring. — The spring by which the tumbler 

 is worked with the cock. 



Nipple or Pivot. — The small iron pillar that 

 receives the copper cap of tlie detonator. 



Pipes. — Tubes to receive the ramrod. 



Bib.— A central piece of iron wiiich unites the 

 barrels and receives the ramrod. 



Scroll-guard.— An extension of the guard which 

 receives the right-hand in fi.\ing the gun. 



