182 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
plank of a gunning-punt should run from stem to stern, the 
chocks of the latter securing it at eachend. This is important 
in punts built to use heavy guns. Inside the oak box, fore and 
aft, are two rubber pads, disc shape, 4 in. diameter and 1 in. 
thick. The elm block is fitted into the box with no ‘“‘play” 
except on concussion longitudinally on the rubber buffers, 
which are intended to reduce the shock of the recoil. Although 
the block is free to travel against the rubber cushions in the’ 
box, it is arranged not to come out of the box. Two strong 
top strips of oak, which act as top friction slides, prevent the 
block from jumping out. We do not figure the box, because 
after describing it the arrangement should be simple enough. 
The main point to be observed with regard to recoil gear for 
large guns is to see and make sure all is strong and equal to 
the work it has to stand. To complete the recoil gear for the 
double punt-gun, a stout breeching rope is fitted. This rope 
may be secured to the gun by trunnions, but a loop under the 
barrels in the present case is neater, and answers as well. The 
rope is passed through a hole in the stem chock of the punt, 
and may lead under or over the fore-deck as may be preferred. 
Leading over the fore-deck, and well exposed to the air, the rope 
may more readily dry after being wet, and thus last longer and 
be less liable to rot. The loop to take the rope on the gun is 
fitted on to a lump formed on the bottom rib, which latter is 
brazed to the barrels so far along from the breech. The recoil 
rope should be arranged with a loose end so that it can be ad- 
justed in length to allow for stretching or shrinking. In the case 
of having the gun mounted ona spring, the length of the rope is 
more important than when having only a plain crutch to lay 
the gun in. In the latter case, unless the rope shrinks or 
stretches to such an extent as to alter the balance of the gun, 
it little matters. Instead of making a ‘seizing ” (lashing) on 
the ends of a recoil rope, we have found a } in. by 2 in. copper 
clip made to fit over the ropes and drawn up with a brass bolt 
