

THE GAUGE. 171 



as the flint-gun. This was a similar tube to that now used, as 

 far as its principle of action is concerned, with the exception 

 that the charge was fired by means of a spark (arising from the 

 striking together of flint and steel), which fell into a small 

 cup of powder outside the barrel, but communicating with 

 its interior through a small canal (the touch-hole) also filled 

 with gunpowder. By means of this comparatively rude 

 invention, the sportsmen of that day were able to shoot flying, 

 but not with the same accuracy as at present ; and the prac- 

 tice required to make a "good shot" was ten times as great 

 as with the percussion gun. The explosion was much longer 

 about, and the aim was consequently behind the object, unless 

 allowance was made for the loss of time, which would neces- 

 sarily vary greatly according to distance. The same principle 

 of allowing for loss of time is still required, but this is now 

 so trifling, that by aiming at a hare's head, the shoulder will 

 be struck, and the same proportion will hold good with flying 

 objects. 



BARRELS. 



Tlwugli the barrels of all guns and rifles are of iron, they 

 are not all made in the same way, or of material corresponding 

 in strength. In the infancy of the art, a flat piece, or some- 

 times two pieces of iron, were welded longitudinally round a 

 mandril into a tube, but in process of time it was discovered 

 that by twisting narrow strips of iron spirally round, and 

 welding these together, a much stronger tube was produced 

 with less metal. This plan is therefore adopted in the 

 present day in all the best guns, and in rifles where weight 

 is objectionable. In these latter guns, however, a solid bar 

 of steel is sometimes perforated and grooved, but weight 

 for weight it will not compete with the twisted barrel. 



THE GAUGE. 



All guns are measured according to their diameter, which 

 is technically called the gauge or calibre. There are two 

 ways of estimating this, first according to the weight of a 

 spherical leaden ball which will fit the gauge, and secondly, 

 according to the diameter in decimal parts of an inch. 



