THE ARMS TRADE OF BELGIUM. 147 
rejected, and the numerous b.arrels which are proved two or three times, 
but are only recorded once. More than 1,000,000 shots are thus fired. 
All barrels brought to the proof-house are first visited by a comp- 
troller in order to verify that their state of fabrication is sufficiently 
advanced to enable them to be completed without impairing their 
solidity. They are then handed to the gauger, and are stamped each 
with the figure denoting its calibre. They then pass on to the loader in 
order to receive the charges of powder and ball proportioned to their 
calibre. All arms are tested with a charge of powder equal to at least 
two-thirds of the weight of the bullet ; but military barrels have to 
bear a charge of powder equal to the full weight of their bullet — viz., 
27J grammes (2 ounces), for the regulation musket of - 688 inch bore. 
The bullets used fit very loosely, a windage of six-tenths of a millimetre 
being allowed by law. After proof, each barrel goes back to a comp- 
troller, who examines it closely, and affixes to it his private mark if it 
shows no fault. It then receives from the foreman the mark of pro- 
visional acceptation, consisting of the interlaced letters EL. The barrel 
is then carried away to be mounted and finished ; after which it must 
be brought back to the proof-house in order to be again scrutinized, and 
to receive the mark of definitive acceptation. At this stage the comp- 
troller, if he suspects that the barrel has been weakened in any way, 
may refuse to mark it without giving any reason, and may require 
another proof. Percussion guns, breech-loaders, and all others which, 
after proof, have undergone any alteration whatever in the fire, are by 
law proved a second time, and then receive another provisional mark, 
called the " Peron de Liege," a kind of column. A double-barrelled gun 
thus undergoes two proofs ; the first on each barrel separately, the 
second when they are welded together. A breech-loader must be proved 
again when fitted with its joint. The powder used is good sporting 
gunpowder, and must be approved by the commission. Imperfect 
barrels are returned to their makers to be repaired ; those which burst 
and are considered irreparable are sawn asunder. 
In point of stringency, the French, system of proof is below that of 
Liege. The English proof is as strong as that of Liege, for muskets 
even stronger ; but the penalties on fraud and forgery are lighter. 
France is still governed by the Decree of 1810, which there has even 
become relaxed in practice, while in Belgium the same decree has been 
materially strengthened. Thus, in France, the barrels of certain Paris 
makers, and pocket-pistol barrels in general, are dispensed from all 
government proof. At Liege every barrel of a pistol and every chamber 
of a revolver must be proved separately. Single-barrelled ramrod guns 
are proved once. Double-barrelled guns have to undergo two, and if 
breech-loaders three, proofs. At St. Etienne there is only one proof for 
gun-barrels, which evidently offers no guarantee of strength if the barrel 
is subsequently altered. 
Another great guarantee for the strength of Liege workmanship lies 
