192 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
The gun is prevented from turning, by the ‘‘flats”” on each 
side of the barrel, facing the flat ends of the trunnions. The 
trunnions cannot get out of place; the half-moon holding 
pieces slot into them just outside the bracket sides and 
prevent this. These slots, when holding pieces are removed, 
enable the trunnions, which are really loose pins fitted in, 
to be withdrawn when required. The bracket is held down 
with a set-screw and washer. The screw fits into the bed- 
plate. This screw stands in a radial slot cut in the bracket. 
The slot permits the bracket to move sideways on its travel. 
In the faced bottom of the bracket is cut a groove to assist 
lubrication in the way of grease to stay on this part. A 
small set-screw working in a small groove, holds the pivot 
pin from jumping, should the boat lurch. To unship the 
gun from its bed-plate, remove the set-screw holding down 
the bracket, and slack back the small set-screw in the pivot 
socket. The pivot pin, bracket, and all gear except the 
bed-plate can be removed along with the gun. Our sketches 
are to scale. For smaller guns a proportionate reduction 
of material should be made. 
To mount this gear in the bow of a sailing-boat, a suitable 
support must be fixed, and the bed-plate of the gear bolted to 
same. Cross beams of oak, tied with an extra gunwale strip 
forward, is best. If mounted in a punt, a chock of ascertained 
height is needed to bring the gun to bear its correct distance 
above water. Unless the punt is a very strong and heavy one, 
the gun-mounting chock should be stayed with a 3 in. iron rod 
fastened from the stem chock. 
This gear, like all other springs, should be kept well 
greased when in use, and before placing it away for any 
length of time. 
It should be needless to add that all the work in this 
apparatus should be of the best. Every part should be a 
good fit, yet perfectly free and smooth in its working. Unless 
he 
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