65 



known to most of us by personal experience. It is hardly 

 necessary to insist, therefore, that a really efficient protector, 

 which in no way hampers or impedes the movements of the gaff 

 or of the gaffer, is a consummation devoutly to be wished. 



IMPROVED GAFF WITH AUTOMATIC POINT PROTECTOR. 



Looking at the cuts, the lower figure shows the gaff complete 

 and effectually "muzzled ; " the upper one, a portion of the gaff 

 with the position of the protector mechanism when the gaff is 

 extended in use. 



Mr. Henry Bawcombe, of No. 2 A, Victoria Road, Hollo way 

 the manufacturer and vendor of the gaff, as distinguished from the 

 inventor describes the mechanism thus : 



A is the Point Protector, or lever, which is brought out of its rest by the 

 lug or projection B, acting upon its tail when the telescopic rod is pressed back 

 into its case. When the telescopic part is extended a small spring (not shown 

 in the cut) acts in an opposite direction and brings it to the position of the upper 

 diagram, so that it is out of the way of the line, &c. C is a circular double 

 inclined plane of steel. When the telescopic rod is being sheathed in its case, 

 if the lug, B, should happen not to be in position to enter its slot, it slides down 

 one or the other of the inclined planes, being thus automatically brought 

 into its proper position, and a slight pressure at the top of the hook drives the 

 rod home, the parts assuming the position shown in the lower diagram, when 

 the point of the hook enters a little cup at the end of the lever A. D is a 

 brass lop that allows one end of the shoulder cord (for carrying) to be readily 



