228 VAEIETIES OF SHOT-GUNS, ETC. 



arm of the person for whom it is intended, it is in vain to 

 expect that he will be able to shoot well with it. The 



Tig 22. 



STOCK WITH SAFETY GUARD. 



gunmaker, therefore, must either know the length of arm 

 and neck from measurement or his own inspection, or he 

 must give his customer a variety to select from, and then 

 stock his gun to the exact pattern of the one which pleases 

 him. The wood of which gun stocks are made is almost 

 always walnut, that being found to keep its shape the best, 

 and also having toughness sufficient, combined with good 

 grain and colour. In selecting it, the direction of the grain 

 at the " handle" (a) is to be examined, for if here it is across, 

 it will be likely to give way on any slight blow. The fitting 

 of the barrels and locks into it must be very exact, or dirt 

 and damp soon get in and decay the wood. Around the 

 handle it is crossed, or " chequered," to give a firm grasp ; 

 and good workmen pride themselves upon doing this very 

 regularly. It requires much practice, being done by hand; 

 and, therefore, as the Birmingham gunmakers have the best 

 chance in this respect, they ought, as they do, to excel all 

 others in it. The usual length is from fourteen to fifteen 

 inches from the fore-trigger to the heel; but the amount of 

 bending cannot be so easily calculated. In front the stock 

 passes forwards beneath the barrels (the " foreend," b b), and 

 here it is generally hollowed out to receive the ramrod ; and, 

 in the percussion gun it is traversed by one or two slides, to 

 connect it with the barrel. Behind the handle is the 

 " comb" (c), a thin projection, which increases the surface 

 applied to the cheek. Here is sometimes a raised smooth 



