CHAPTER V.--GUN-MAKING.

Barrel welding--Birmingham welders--Different twists of metal (illustrated with cuts)--Process of welding--Hammer-hardening--Belgium welders--Mode of plating barrels--Belgium method (with cut)--Profits of fraud--Qualifications of a good gun-barrel maker--Processes of boring and grinding--Proper inclination of double barrels--Elevation of barrels should be proportionate to charge and distance--Brazing of barrels detrimental--Mr. Wilkinson’s opinion--Solid ribs requisite-- Advantage of the patent breech--Best shape of breech (with cut)--Gun locks--Their scientific construction--The Barside lock--Messrs. Braziers’ locks--The stock, fittings, &c.--Recipe for staining steel barrels--Birmingham method of browning--Belgian method--Varieties of iron for best barrels--Laminated steel barrels never known to burst-- Base imitations of laminated steel--Cost of laminated steel barrels-- Author’s method of laminating--Stub Damascus passed off for steel-- Birmingham guns--Practice of forging names of eminent makers--Author’s offer--Improved metal for axles--Author’s imitation Damascus (with plate)--Joseph Manton’s merits--Prize medals awarded to author-- Advantages of Birmingham for gun making--“London-made guns”--Foreign imitations of English guns--Periodical exhibition of guns recommended --Steel-twist and stub Damascus (with plate)--Barrels of charcoal iron--Inferior guns--Cost of skelp-iron guns--Cost of “sham damn iron” guns--Sham guns (with plate)--Cost of “park-paling” guns 185