316 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



end. The ribbon is now wrapped around a mandrel, 

 and its convolutions are firmly welded together at a 

 white heat by hammering the ribbon on the mandrel 

 while placed in a semi-cylindrical gi'oove. Another 

 portion is added to that just formed by jumping and 

 hammering till the length of the barrel is completed. 



"Laminated steel barrels are formed of ribbons com- 

 posed of six parts of steel to four of iron, and the only 

 difference- between laminated steel and Damascus 

 barrels is that the ribbons composing the former are 

 made of rods less twisted ; but the ribbons are subjected 

 to more hammering when on the mandrel in order to get 

 greater condensation and firmer welding of the fibres 

 of the two metals." 



The twist barrel is often called " stub-twist," from 

 the stubs of horse-shoe nails out of which these barrels 

 were first made. These stubs and other scraps are 

 welded together, drawn into bars, then heated, and 

 while one end is in a notch or clamp, the other end of 

 the rod is attached to the axis of a crank and twisted. 

 At present these rods are made of selected iron, the 

 supply and quality of stub having fallen off. These 

 twisted rods are now beaten into flat bars, and then 

 wrapped around a mandrel, and their edges welded to- 

 gether. This forms the twist barrels. There is no per- 

 ceptible difference between Damascus and laminated 

 barrels, in practical use, although the Damascus are far 

 handsomer in appearance. The laminated seem harder 

 and require less care and attention in keeping clean. 



Having decided what make of gun to buy, the mate- 

 rial of the barrels and the bore, the purchaser is ready 

 to select his gun. The length of the barrels, that is, 

 the standard, is 30 and 32 inches. The extra length 



