MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 363 



termed " wrought-steel," aucl Laving a transverse handle to it 

 similar to a " metal gimlet," a powerful purchase can be had on 

 the shoulder of the nipple, insomuch that, when applied with 

 the requisite force, the nipple must come out^ or the shoulder 

 must yield and break off. On either end of the handle of the 

 wrench is a small brass cap, nicely fitted on and forming a con- 

 tinuation of the handle ; on being screwed off, an extra nipple 

 will be found in each ; on the top of the handle running down 

 into the body of the wrench is a neat brass-headed gun-picker. 

 These caps and picker not only give a handsome finish to the 

 wrench, but add very materially to its importance. 



Wrenches made with wooden handles are not generally good 

 for much, as the nipples frequently get rusted in the gvm^ and it 

 then requires a very powerful force to start them, which cannot 

 be applied except with a wrench having a transverse metal 

 handle. We have suffered from this inconvenience more than 

 once, and have seen others in the same predicament. The 

 wooden handle is also liable to be cracked or broken; it also 

 takes up far more room than the metal one, which upon the 

 whole is smaller, stronger, and neater. 



SPORTING-KNIFE. 



There is nothing at times more useful than a sporting-knife, 

 which comprises all the requisites for probing, examining locks, 

 dividing luncheon, &c. &c. The knife should not be too large 

 or complicated, but only contain those instruments that may at 

 some time or another prove useful; for instance, it should not 

 be deficient in a probe, a pivot-picker, a nipple-wrench, a turn- 

 screw, a fleam for bleeding Dogs, and one, perhaps, for Horses 

 also, as this noble animal is so frequently a necessary accom- 

 paniment to a shooting trip, that we should be provided to pre- 

 serve his well-being in case of need; for instance, if he should 

 be attacked with a fit of blind staggers, or any other affection 

 requiring bleeding. 



Such knives can be obtained at the Gunsmiths' or fancy 

 sporting stores. This knife should be as plain as possible in its 

 appearance, and be valuable for its intrinsic worth. If one-half 

 or two-thirds of the price of the instrument is expended upon 



