164 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



with sand-paper, to take oflFall greasiness; and after- 

 wards fit a stick into the muzzle to hold it by. 

 Bruise half an ounce of stone-brimstone, and sprinkle 

 it over a gentle fire ; hold the harrel over the smoke, 

 at the same time moving it about, until all parts 

 become equally tinged ; then place it in a damp 

 situation until the next day, when you will find a 

 fine rust thrown out, over which you may draw your 

 finger, to spread it even over the barrel; let it remain 

 another day, after which it should be polished, as 

 above described. 



When barrels are intended for a double gun, they 

 are dressed to their proper thickness, which is gene- 

 rally less than for single barrels ; and each of them is 

 filed flat on the side where it is to join the other, so 

 that they may fit closely together. Two correspond- 

 ing notches are then made at the muzzle and breech 

 of each barrel ; and into these are fitted two small 

 pieces of iron to hold them more strongly together. 

 The barrels being united by tinning the parts where 

 they touch, the ribs are fitted in, and made fast by 

 the same means. These ribs are the pieces of iron 

 which are placed between the barrels, running on 

 their upper and under sides the whole length, and 

 serving to hold them more firmly together. When 

 the barrels are thus joined, they are polished and 

 coloured in the manner already described. 



Twisted barrels are deservedly celebrated for their 

 superior elegance and strength. The iron employed 

 in them is formed of old horse-shoe nails, which are 



