[53] fisheries of the united states. 323 



breech-loading guns. 

 Pierce and Eggers' gun. 



One of the latest improved shoulder-guns, used in connection with 

 the Pierce and Brand explosive lances. Skeleton stock. Stock, 

 barrel, breech-block, and trigger, gun-metal ; barrel reinforced. 

 The gun is loaded by inserting a cartridge — Winchester No. 8, 

 central fire — in the breech, and the lance in the muzzle, and 

 discharged as an ordinary shot-gun, the cartridge being ignited 

 by a firing-pin striking a percussion-cap. Length, 36£ inches. 

 Weight, 24 pounds. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 56337 ; 

 cartridge-bolder, 56347 ; cartridge-primer, 56348 ; cartridge 

 56349; charger, 56350; wads, 56351; gun-stick, 56344. De- 

 posited in part by theU. S. Fish Commission and S. Eggers, Sr. 

 Patented February 12, 1878, by Eben Pierce and S. Eggers, Sr. 

 Manufactured by S. Eggers, New Bedford, Massachusetts. The 

 . gun in its present condition is the same as when used by whale- 

 men. 



Cunningham and Cogan's gun. 



Skeleton stock, cast iron, painted black ; stock and breech-piece 

 cast in one piece, with a small rigid eye at rear of guard-plate 

 for laniard; barrel, steel, reinforced and screwed to the stock; 

 breech-block, containing firing-pin, hinged to stock, and, when 

 closed, held by a snap-spring ; central-fire cartridge. Length, 

 33 inches. Weight, 27 pounds. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 

 1882. 56334. Gift of William Lewis. Patented by H. W. 

 Chapman, Newark, New Jersey, May 15, 1877, and manufac- 

 tured by Patrick Cunningham, New Bedford, Massachusetts. 

 Used principally by the crews of the steam barks in the Arctic 

 regions; discharges Cunningham & Cogan's explosive lance. 

 This is the form commonly in use, and was selected from a lot 

 about to be sent to a whaling- vessel. 



DARTING-GUNS. 

 PlEROE'S DARTING-GUN (old). 



Breech, brass, cast with breech-piece. Barrel, steel, screwed to 

 breech-piece. Rear end of the gun terminates in a conical 

 socket, into which may be fitted the pole or handle. A verti- 

 cal slot is cut through the breech for the reception of the ham- 

 mer, which was pivoted and retained in its firing position by 

 the rod or trigger. Hammer, wanting. Trigger projects over 

 the muzzle, and moves freely back and forth in a guide near 

 "the end of the barrel. A sleeve of metal, or other suitable 

 material, was intended to fit over the breech, or lock-case, 

 to render it water-tight. The harpoon is of the pattern known 

 as the "Temple-gig." Toggle, malleable cast iron, pivoted in 



