42-i lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



"The principle of this stain is, simply the hydrogen gas con- 

 tained in the coal acting on the iron. From being of a softer 

 nature than the steel, which it does not affect, the flame also 

 possessing a quantity of tar, it is imperceptibly embodied by the 

 iron during the action of the oxide, and, when finished by filling 

 up the spaces created, it becomes decidedly more impervious 

 to damps or wet than the other stain, wdiich is entirely composed 

 of the oxide of iron." 



Barrels were formerly colored by exposing them to a degree 

 of heat sufficient to produce a beautiful blue tinge, but this plan 

 was abandoned on account of the injury sustained by the calci- 

 nation of the inside surface of the barrels, as well as the impair- 

 ing of the strength and ductility of the metal by the application 

 of such an intense heat. 



If the Sportsman wishes to stain his barrels himself, we know 

 of no easier method than the following, which we have tried with 

 satisfactory results. Free the barrels of all greasiness by polish- 

 ing them with fine sand-paper and emery, then throw a small 

 quantity of powdered brimstone over a charcoal furnace, pass 

 the barrel repeatedly through the thick smoke that rises up, 

 until it is completely colored throughout its whole extent; then 

 put the barrels in a damp cellar, or, what is better, a moist 

 provision vault, let them remain several hours, and upon ex- 

 amination they will be found covered with a fine rust. This 

 rust must be spread evenly over the barrel with the finger, and 

 allowed to remain twenty-four hours, and then polished with 

 fine emery and oil. 



Great numbers of inferior barrels, as before said, are colored 

 to resemble those of a superior quality, and to an inexperienced 

 eye these deceptions are very difficult to discover ; a plain 

 welded barrel, for example, may be made to resemble a twisted 

 article by wetting a thread with dilute acid, and winding it 

 round the barrel so as to make spiral lines, running all along 

 its surface; for, wherever the thread touches, a slight coating 

 of rust will be formed, and when the whole length of the barrel 

 is treated in this way a second or a third time with dilute acid, 

 the spiral windings of the thread exhibit fine dark lines that 

 very closely resemble the twisted or ribbon barrels, as they are 

 termed. 



