570 FOREST, FIELD, AND PRAIRIE. 



To Brown Gun Barrels. — Tinct. of muriate of iron ; one ounce, 

 nitric ether, one ounce ; sulphate of copper, four scruples, rain 

 water, one pint. First, securely plug up both ends of bairels, 

 leaving one plug in each end of sufficient length to be used as 

 handles ; then thoroughly clean with soap and water, after which 

 cover with a thick coat of lime, slacl<ed in water, and when 

 that has become dry remove it with an iron wire scratch brush ; 

 this is to remove all dirt and grease from the barrels. Then apply 

 a coat of the fluid with a rag, and let it stand for twenty-four hours, 

 when a slight rust vifill have appeared ; then take barrels and im- 

 merse them in a trough containing boiling hot water, after which 

 scratch them well with the scratch brush. Repeat this until the 

 color suits, which will be after three or four applications. When 

 completed, let the barrels remain in lime water a short time to 

 neutralize any acid which may have penetrated. Take great care 

 not to handle the barrels during the operation, for the least particle 

 of grease will make bad spots. 



To Darken Gun Stocks. — Get a few crystals of permanganate 

 of potash, dissolve them in water and rub the stuff well into the 

 wood. It will cause the stock to assume a rich brown hue, and 

 can be oiled over with raw linseed. This is a very good black 

 walnut stain for any hard wood. 



Cleaning Guns. — Cotton waste is the handiest material for 

 cleaning either muzzle or breech loading guns, and can be bought 

 for about twenty-five cents per pound anywhere, a little bit going a 

 great way. The best cheap pocket cleaner for breech loading 

 guns is a piece of copper wire, about No. 17, with a loop twisted 

 in both ends, through one of which a piece of waste can be pushed. 

 This can be rolled up in a small coil and carried in any pocket 

 without inconvenience. 



Rust in Gun Barrels. — Use Riggs' Belmontyle oil. Also a 

 Ihin coating of shellac dissolved in alcohol is excellent; also .i 

 roating of best copal varnish, first heating the barrels to the tem- 

 perature of boiling water, not any hotter, or they may be injured ; 

 let them remain hot for half an hour, and then rub them with a soft 

 rag. The barrels will show no sign of the varnish. Common tal- 

 low is also very serviceable ; rub it on with a piece of flannel, and 

 wipe the inside of the barrels with it also. Blue ointment is the 



