PUNT-GUNS. 127 



thrown directly upon the spiral spring ; and the barrel having suffi- 

 cient play, it works with remarkable facility, no perceptible jerk or 

 inconvenience being felt on placing the shoulder to the stock of the 

 gun when firing it. The apparatus being necessarily composed 

 of iron or gun-metal, it adds slightly to the weight in the fore- part 

 of the punt ; but the same apparatus answers equally well for the 

 shooting-yacht or sailing-punt. The patent spiral recoil-spring and 

 apparatus, as adapted to the punt and shooting-yacht, though exqui- 

 sitely simple, is one of Colonel Hawker's best and most useful 

 inventions. 



The punter intending to fit a punt-gun with the spiral recoil-spring 

 should have the punt built purposely to receive the fittings ; and the 

 boat-builder will find the difficulties of his task much simplified if he 

 has the gun and fittings by his side whilst building the punt. 



A small gun may be used in the punt, without any breechings, 

 provided the shooter has sufficient courage to fire, a thickly-padded 

 cushion being all that is necessary to place to the shoulder ; but I 

 cannot recommend any one to fire a gun loaded with half a pound of 

 shot and upwards without gun-breechings, wherewith to ease the 

 recoil : though I have seen it done by placing the but-end just under 

 the arm, and nipping it close between the arm and ribs, in this manner 

 allowing the stock to pass beneath the shoulder on the gun recoiling. 



