PUNT-GUNS 181 
The recoil of a large double punt-gun firing both barrels 
together, or nearly so, gives a heavy shock to a punt. A 
special punt must be constructed if the gun is above 1% in. 
For a 13 in. bore double gun of about 200 lb. weight a strong, 
well-built punt of not less than 22 ft. 6in. long, with a 4 ft. 3 in. 
beam, is needed to safely carry and use such a weapon. As 
double punt-guns are unwieldy to work if placed in a flat- 
bottomed crutch and on a rest forward, and also as they are re- 
quired to be mounted in such a way that a second-barrel shot may 
be easily taken without any distraction from the first discharge, 
La 
a 
Plan of Breech End, Double Swivel-Gun 
mechanism of a most reliable kind is necessary to counteract 
the ‘‘kicks” of the gun. In other words, the gear should be 
such that the first discharge does not alter the shooting of the 
second, no matter how quickly after it may follow. A second 
shot when fowl are not thick has generally to be taken flying, 
supposing that the smoke clears sufficiently soon for the gunner 
to do so. This demands that the gun be pivoted so that it can 
be readily and easily swung a reasonable travel in any direction. 
The pivot socket of the spring gear is fitted into a solid elm 
block, 12 in. wide, 16 in. long, and 6 in. deep. This block is 
fitted into an oak box made of 14 in. wood, and stayed and 
fixed to the main floor plank of the punt. The main floor 
