2/8 The Matchlock of Koteli. [April, 



of the number being twisted to the right hand, and the other half to 

 the left, (see figure 2.) 



If now it is designed to make a twisted damask barrel, a pair of the 

 twisted bars is secured side to side by wires, and at welding heat is 

 wrought into a ribband, about 2-tenths of an inch wide by one-tenth 

 in thickness. This ribband being heated is twisted spirally around the 

 tube lately formed, (see figure 5.) Both are then covered with 

 mud and being heated to white heat are beaten rapidly with light ham- 

 mers, and are jumped upon the anvil, until the edges forming the two 

 parallel tubes are welded together, and the tubes themselves have be- 

 come one. 



If not a twisted, but a straight damask is purposed, an inner tube 

 is in the first place formed of plain iron ; as in the above process, around 

 this tube some 16 or 18 of the fine twisted bars are laid lengthwise 

 along the ribband tube ; a left and a right hand twist alternately, (see 

 figure 6.) They are secured in place with wire, covered with mud, 

 and being heated to welding heat, a mandril is introduced, and they are 

 wrought together with light hammers, and jumped upon the anvil, 

 the jumping bringing together the lips of the inner tube. The mud 

 with which they are secured is to preserve them from atmospheric con- 

 tact whilst at white heat. Considering that it is added whilst they are 

 red hot, I should have supposed the decomposition of the water would 

 have aifected the iron even more than atmospheric air. But the 

 workmen are the best judges, and they never omit the precaution. 



Long barrels are generally made in two pieces which are welded to- 

 gether. The weld is barely discoverable upon examination and would 

 never be suspected. 



The barrel being now formed is to be bored, a process effected in 

 the rudest manner by means of square bits, having at the reverse a hole 

 or socket to receive a wooden lever. The matchlock barrel is wedged 

 into a perforation in an upright post, and the workman, inserting the 

 bit, leans his weight against it, and turns it with a sudden jerk. No 

 precaution is taken to preserve the true centre of the cylinder, and if 

 the bore prove straight or smooth it is a mere accident, for they have 

 no other boring instrument than this. They were surprised to learn 

 that our barrels are bored upon a lathe, and had never heard of the 

 grooved-cylinder of steel, with which we finish the process. 



