400 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



to the dampness of the powder, which impedes the immediate 

 ignition of the whole mass, and consequently retards the exit 

 of the shot, which moves before the propelling force with a kind 

 of jerking motion. 



It has been asserted b^-- some writers that the position of the 

 touch-hole regulates in a great measure the power of the recoil. 

 Suppose, for example, that the touch-hole communicates with 

 the centre of the mass of powder, it is contended that at the 

 moment of ignition the expansive force of the generated fluid 

 is exerted as strongly backwards upon the breech as it is for- 

 wards or upon the sides of the barrel ; but, on the other hand, 

 if the powder is ignited from the base of the mass, the whole 

 expulsive force will be directed forwards upon the shot, and the 

 recoil, consequently, be much lighter. The less a gun recoils, 

 the more certain and effective will be the delivery of its shot ; 

 as it is v/ell ascertained that a piece made perfectly stationary 

 in its bed will throw a ball much further, and consequently with 

 much more force, than one that is allowed to rebound at every 

 discharge. A kicking gun, when grasped tightly and held firmly 

 to the shoulder, will recoil far less than if lightly placed against 

 it; it will also throw the shot much further, and with greater 

 certainty. This fact may be very easily ascertained by a simple 

 experiment. 



Suspend, for example, a fowling-piece by two cords from a 

 suitable frame, or from the limb of a tree, in such a manner as 

 to permit an unrestrained recoil, having first charged it with 

 the ordinary load of powder and shot ; now fire the gun at a 

 target properly arranged, take especial note of the result ; then 

 load the piece as before, and secure it tightly so that no recoil 

 can take place, move the target some distance further off, and 

 note the result of this discharge. It will be observed that the 

 last fire will be far more effective than the first, both as regards 

 the strength and range^ although the distance of the target was 

 considerably increased. 



Eegarding the old hypothesis respecting small fire-arms, we 

 hardly know what to advance in support of it; although we 

 have not made any experiments to establish the position, still 

 we feel quite sure that the old received opinion is perfectly 

 correct — that is, that there iciJl he a greater recoil ivith the same 



