436 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



nicalities appertaining to the instrument in such a business-like 

 manner that their description may be perfectly comprehended not 

 only by themselves but also by the gunsmith, which will prevent the 

 occurrence of any mistakes on the part of the mechanic or disap- 

 pointments to the sportsman. All this information can be obtained 

 by a few hours of reading and examination of the various parts of 

 the gun. The first thing to be acquired is a knowledge of the terms 

 used by gunsmiths when speaking of a gun ; we will therefore com- 

 mence our lesson by an alphabetical list of these terms, with which 

 every sportsman should be familiar. 



ANTECHAMBER. The small opening or passage forming a connection between 



the end of the tube and the chamber, and through which the fire from the 



cap is conducted to the powder lying in the chamber. 

 BOLTS, The small sliding pins that pass through the fore-end of the stock, 



and, fitting in the loops of the barrels, secure them in their position. 

 BOLT-LOOPS. Small iron loops or eyes attached to the barrel, through which 



the bolts pass to fasten the barrel to the stock. 

 BREAK-OFF, OR FALSE BREECHING. The piece of metal made fast to the stock 



by the cross-pin, into which the hooks of the breeches must be inserted 



before the barrels will slip into their bed. 

 BRIDLE. The piece of polished steel, partly covering the tumbler and scear, 



in which the pivot of the tumbler works, holding all the machinery secure. 

 BRIDLE-PINS. Small screws which keep the bridle in its place. 

 CAP. The piece of metal covering the worm of the ramrod. 

 CAP. The metal finish at the extreme point of the stock. 

 CHAIN, OR SWIVEL. A small piece of steel fastened to the neck of the tumbler 



to receive the end of the mainspring. 

 CHAMBER, OR CUP. The space or opening in the centre of the breech designed 



to hold a portion of the charge of powder. 

 COCK, HAMMER, OR STRIKER. The arm of the lock, which, being freed by the 



pressure of the fore-finger on the trigger, falls on the nipple and explodes 



the cap. 

 CROSS-PIN, OR FALSE-BREECH SCREW. The screw which, passing through the 



trigger-plate and stock, secures the break-off or false breeching. 

 CUP. See CHAMBER. 

 ESCUTCHEONS. Pieces of metal set in the stock through which the bolts pass, 



so as to prevent the wearing or chafing of the woodwork. Also, the metal 



shield or thumb-piece on which the crest or name is engraved. 



