236 VARIETIES OF SHOT-GUNS, ETC. 



ternally for about the third of an inch, so as to allow of 

 the copper cap securely clipping it; next to this cone is 

 a shoulder, which is square, or, what is better, a rectangular 

 oblong, so as to admit of the application of a key for its 

 removal. Beyond this, again, it is tapped, and forms a male 

 screw, which is accurately adapted to a female screw cut in 

 the breech. Thus, then, there are two things to be con- 

 sidered in reference to the nipple 1st, its own shape; and 

 2ndly, the direction in which it is screwed into the breech. 



The nipple itself should be of good steel not tempered too 

 highly or it will break. The best kind is bored so as to pre- 

 sent two cones, one short and external, and the other longer 

 and internal, the communication between the two being small 

 and lined with platinum to prevent the corrosion, which 

 would otherwise soon fill it up ; and then comes the pricker, 

 which removes the rust and enlarges the aperture so much 

 that a great part of the gas escapes through it. Ordinary 

 ,_ nipples present only one cone, the base 

 of which may be external (fig. 26 a), or 

 internal (fig. 26 6); the former being greatly 

 to be preferred with good caps, as it allows 

 a full volume of flame to be driven down 

 upon the charge. The platinated nipple 

 is more expensive than the common one, 



PPLES. (PULL SIZE.) ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Q ^^ 



but as long as this adheres it will be serviceable; still for 

 common purposes nothing answers better than the form 

 shown in fig. 26 a. 



In adapting the nipple to the breech, a hole is sometimes 

 drilled in a slightly oblique direction down upon the end of 

 the chamber. This was first proposed, I believe, by Mr. 

 Greener, as his " centric" method of firing, but as adapted 

 by him it was found to weaken the handle of the stock too 

 much, and he has abandoned its use in consequence. Another 

 maker (Mr. Horton of Whitehaven, late of Birmingham) has 

 re- introduced it as his " eccentric breech," the only difference 

 being that the nipple enters more obliquely and the hammers 

 also fall in a corresponding direction, so that the stock is not 

 weakened to the same extent. But though the latter is im- 

 proved the breech itself is still weaken d at this part, whether 



