THE FOWLING-FIECE. 



Cleaning Gun-barrels. 



The method of cleaning gun-barrels is so evident, 

 and so well known, that it would be time worse than 

 idly spent to give a long description of it. On this 

 subject, therefore, I have only to observe, that care 

 should be taken to have the water hot (boiling for in- 

 stance). Many persons first wash the barrel with 

 cold water, which, when it is very dirty, is perhaps 

 to be recommended. After the barrel is well washed 

 with tow or a piece of flannel wrapped round the rod, 

 it should be wiped thoroughly dry with tow or flan- 

 nel; and afterwards rub the inside (as well as the 

 out) with oily tow or flannel. The breech will seldom 

 have occasion to be taken out if the gun is properly 

 treated. 



The best oil for the barrel, as well as the lock, is 

 that which is obtained from sheep's feet, or neat's-foot 

 oil will answer the purpose, or that which is procured 

 from the fat of horses : however, be which it will, the 

 oil should be first clarified ; for which the following 

 is the best method : put several small pieces of lead, 

 or a few shot, into the bottle which contains the oil, 

 and let it remain uncorked. If the oil is thick, it 

 should be exposed to the sun, or kept in a warm si- 

 tuation while it undergoes the simple operation of 

 clarifying: exposing it to the sun is the preferable 

 way. The feculent matter will very soon adhere to 

 the lead, and leave the oil extremely clear. 



