358 



THE SPORTING EIFLE. 



Here the ramrod is made to form a rest, as shown in the 

 annexed engraving. 



The rest is made by a swivel screwed on to the lower part 

 of the upper band of the rifle (see fig. 93 a\ the upper 



FIG. 93. CAPTAIN CONOLLY'S EIFLE REST. 



swivel b being sufficiently large to give the ramrod full 

 play, and being slightly ovalled, if necessary, to fit flush into 

 the stock when not being used and the ramrod is returned. 

 A small brass cup or socket, large enough to receive the head 

 of the ramrod, is let into the stock above the band, the ram- 

 rod being then let fall through the swivel, and the head 

 inserted into the cup, a most perfect rest is obtained. 



It is by no means indispensable that the head of the ramrod 

 should rest in the cup ; it is nearly equally steady when butting 

 against the slings or any other part of the stock indeed, for 

 a sportsman firing from the kneeling position, it is better to 

 slope the ramrod forward, and let the head of it rest against 

 the upper band. Captain Conolly merely inserts the cup 

 into the stock, because, he says, a small incision must be made 

 to receive the swivel b when not used. At the same time ifc 

 steadies the ramrod more, and makes the rest more perfect 

 when the cup is used. 



