PRICE. 253 



tempt to clean his locks, but should give the job to his 

 gumnaker. 



If the barrels are leaded, a wire brush is attached to the 

 cleaning-rod, and with this they are rubbed up and down 

 with the aid of a little silver-sand, if necessary, till the 

 lead is all removed. There is, however, in this process, great 

 risk incurred of spoiling the barrels, and if really necessary, 

 it is better to allow the gunmaker to remove the lead. 



THE GUNCASE AND CONTENTS. 



The guncase may be of wood or leather, or of the former 

 within the latter material. Patent leather gun-cases are, 

 however, now the most generally used, and as they are 

 cheaper as well as lighter, they are in my opinion better than 

 wood. They should contain, in addition to the gun, a nipple- 

 wrench containing two spare nipples, powder-flask, shot- 

 pouch, cap-holder, dog-whistle and whip, wad-punch, and a 

 supply of wadding, besides such cartridges as are approved 

 of if they are used. In addition, there should be for cleaning 

 purposes a turnscrew and cleaning-rod, with tow, linen, and 

 oil in a small metal bottle ; the proper sort for all but the 

 locks being neat's foot oil clarified by suspending in it pieces 

 of lead for some months. The locks should never be 

 touched with any but gunmaker's oil, usually known as 

 Wilkinson's. All these articles should be arranged in 

 compartments, so as to avoid friction on the gun. 



PRICE. 



The price of percussion double guns varies from 4 or even 

 less, to 50 or 60 guineas, which Purdey, Lancaster, Manton, 

 and one or two other fashionable London makers, obtain for 

 their articles. At the lowest price here mentioned the iron 

 used in the barrels would be twopenny, or perhaps sham 

 damn. Keepers' guns are sold at all prices; but a good 

 useful one, with barrels of charcoal iron, should cost from 

 10. to 151. No safe gun can be purchased for less than 

 20, if tolerably well finished, and none, in my opinion, ought 

 to cost more than 35 to 40 guineas complete in case, and I 

 believe that for the latter sum as good a gun as can be 



