418 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN", 



The first or rough boring being finished, a bit of still larger 

 size is now introduced, and the same process gone through 

 with, until the barrel is entirely freed of all unevenness, and 

 its whole internal surface reduced to a perfect mirror in. ap- 

 pearance. 



If the barrels, after repeated borings, should still exhibit an 

 uneven surface and present flaws and depressions, they are 

 rejected, and the metal returned to the forge, as it would be 

 unsafe to bore them still thinner, when the metal is so soft and 

 frangible. 



Some Gunsmiths bore barrels by hand, and a good workman 

 will make a beautiful instrument in this way, altliough it will 

 take treble the time to finish it. The utmost nicety is requisite 

 in the boring of barrels, as they should be perfect cylinders, 

 and of exact caliber throughout their entire length. When 

 they have passed the inspection of the lynx-eyed workman to 

 whom this important process is confided, the barrels are handed 

 over to the grinders to be ground, turned, and polished. 



GRINDING. 



The barrels being bored, the grinder submits them to the 

 friction of a revolving stone, for the purpose of freeing them 

 from all the scales and roughness which cover them when they 

 come from the hands of the welder. 



TURNING. 



A smooth surface being obtained by the application of the 

 stone by the grinder, the barrels are next handed over to be 

 turned, which is accomplished either with a common turning- 

 lathe or a self-acting machine. 



A mandrel, exactly fitting the size of the barrel, is first 

 introduced, the barrel is then placed in the lathe and the 

 machine set going, and the whole process completed in a very 

 short time, without any further interference on the part of the 

 workman. 



Turning by steam is far cheaper and even much superior to 

 handwork, as the process of turning with a common hand-lathe 



