MANAGEMENT OF THE PUNT GUN. 120 



the inside of the barrel as it descends, and thereby satisfying the 

 sportsman that it does not stick to the cylinder. 



In addition to the ammunition box^which must contain the re- 

 quisites already enumerated, and any others which from the peculiar 

 construction of the gun may be found necessary a loading-rod must 

 form part of the equipment, and must be fitted with a good strong 

 spiral-worm, for drawing the charge or wiping out the barrel. The 

 loading-spoon recommended by Colonel Hawker is an unnecessary 

 appurtenant ; the gun may be loaded quicker and better without it, as 

 I hope to show in a manner satisfactory to my readers. The Colonel's 

 loading-spoon is neither more nor less than a scoop made of tin or 

 copper, in diameter a trifle smaller than the interior of the barrel. 

 This spoon is attached to a rod of about the same length as the 

 loading-rod ; and a charge of powder being measured and put in the 

 spoon, it has to be carefully pushed down the barrel and deposited in 

 the chamber of the gun. But to do this properly the greatest care is 

 necessary; the mouth of the scoop containing the powder must be kept 

 uppermost, or partly so ; and with a very long handle the proceeding 

 requires more than ordinary caution : besides, when brought to the 

 muzzle of the gun, unless the breech-end is uppermost, it must be 

 very difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the powder running out of 

 the spoon long before reaching the bottom. Of what advantage, 

 then, is the loading-spoon so strongly recommended by Colonel 

 Hawker ? Every one accustomed to punting knows how extremely 

 awkward and dangerous it is to raise the breech-end of a large punt- 

 gun, when afloat in a cranky boat. By chance the charge might 

 occasionally be deposited at the bottom of the barrel by means of 

 the loading-spoon, if the gun were placed in a horizontal position, and 

 the muzzle tipped up before withdrawing the spoon ; but it is not 

 easily done, except when the gun lies in its proper berth for shooting; 

 in which position it cannot be loaded unless the punt be lying aground, 

 and the punter gets out to do it. Another disadvantage attends it : 

 the loading-spoon with its long-rod is very liable to get damp, and 

 even wet, from lying about in the punt, which would make it 

 injurious to the powder. Col. Hawker also asserts that by means of 

 the loading-spoon the shot may be shovelled out of the barrel when it 

 becomes necessary to draw the charge. Now it is impossible that this 

 can be done with the facility the Colonel would have his readers 

 believe ; because it cannot be done at all unless the gun is laid in a 

 horizontal position, or with the but-end higher than the muzzle. I have 



