POWDER FLASK.

If you expostulate with an old wildfowl gunner on the danger of his piece, he may retaliate on that of your spring powder flask; while he (with a cow's horn, stopped at one end with a piece of oakum, and at the other with a bit of ood,) can fill his backey-pipe, and load with more safety than you gemmen! 'Tis very true! Many serious accidents have happened from sportsmen not having had the precaution to detach their charge before they put it into the barrel, which may have a fatal spark remaining. A spring powder horn should have a cap to it, from which you can load, and by means of which you keep all dead leaves, and other dirt, that may fall in the pocket, from crumbling into the top of it.

Having pushed back the spring, to fill the top or charger, let it gradually close again on the thumb, instead of allowing it to fly back and snap. I mention this in consequence of an accident which happened to one who, in doing the latter, had his hand dreadfully mangled by the explosion of a flask, which it is supposed was occasioned by the adhesion of a piece of flint.

The late Mr. Egg and Mr. Sykes have each invented powder flasks, in which, if a charge is blown up, all communication is so effectually prevented, that

no farther damage can be done. I have seen the one of Mr. Egg repeatedly tried by himself. To do this, he dropped a red-hot nail into the barrel, which, of course, instantly fired the measure put into it. He then unscrewed the top, and showed me the remainder of the powder in the horn, having only guarded his right hand by a shield of pasteboard, to avoid being burnt by the charge from the barrel.

The principle of it is so secure as to render it impossible for the powder in the flask to ignite, while in the act of loading, by the passage being completely cut off, from the lever being placed on the top of a strong plate, instead of underneath. It also prevents the flash out of the barrel from injuring the hand, as the charger is fixed in an octant position, with a vent to let out the flame.

The springs of these powder flasks must be kept very clean and free, or, like many other ingenious patents, they will fall victims to the abuse of slovenly sportsmen. Mr. Egg said, he "begged leave to caution gentlemen of a trumpery Sheffield flask, (sold in the shops,) with an upright charger, not being calculated to answer the purpose intended, though it was an infringement on his patent." I have now used also the flask of Mr. Sykes, since it has been improved. It appears to be perfectly safe; and nothing can be more convenient; and, what is desirable in these hard times, this flask is not an expensive one. Another caution relative to powder horns in the field:- -If you should have fired one barrel, and, while in the act of reloading it, other game should be sprung, beware of firing the other barrel until you have either put the flask in your pocket, or thrown it on

the ground. I could name several who, through a neglect of doing this, have been severely wounded by blowing up their flasks; and among them, two excellent shots of my acquaintance.

With regard to a powder horn in the house, common sense will, it is to be hoped, teach us to take care of it; and, with a moment's reflection, convince us of the danger and absurdity of frying powder in the flask on the hob of a chimney, during the whole time of a meal, or other preparations, before starting for the field.

IN

SHOT BELT.

In my humble opinion there is, after all inventions, no method of loading better than the common shot belt; but it so often falls into awkward hands, and steel chargers are such a pretty little item for a gunmaker's bill, that it is almost considered too vulgar an appendage for a gentleman. Let it be observed, however, that a shot belt is light, and no incumbrance when empty; does not fill the pockets; is not liable to be lost; and, if properly managed, is on the whole as quick a mode of loading as any that can be adopted. For instance: First, if you have fired both barrels, and should take out a charger left full only on one side, some little time is lost in using another. Second, if you load with gloves on, the hand is apt to catch in the pocket, from which steel chargers are not so easily taken as a powder flask (or, if they were, they would be liable to be lost). Third, if you do not take a supply for the whole day, they must be replenished; and this office generally falls to the lot of some marker, or servant, who, being perhaps a clumsy-handed fellow, on a fidgety horse, wastes a considerable time as well as a great quantity of your shot.

Frivolous as it may appear to mention so trifling a subject, I shall endeavour to describe the manner by

which a shot belt may be managed so neatly, that it may be used for a whole month without your losing half a charge.

While pressing the spring with the forefinger and thumb, draw the top just out; then take a fresh hold over handed, so as for the first finger and thumb to steady the hand by pressing the muzzle of the belt, and the second finger to be just within the ridge of the top, and by closing the second finger a little, the top will be sufficiently drawn out. The instant you have taken this fresh hold, lean the body, with a little jerk, to the right, and the shot will fill the top, of which your second finger will have such a command, that none will be spilt.

Before you put the first measure into the barrel, lean a little to the left, or the shot will pour out of the belt; and in loading your second barrel, you must observe the same motion of the body to the right and left. In doing all this, the left hand should never be taken from the gun. Be sure always to keep the spring inwards, and have your shot-top made rather longest in the part which comes under while filling it.

When we have acquired the knack of this, nothing can be more quickly done, long and tedious as it may appear in explanation.

Always have the tops of your shot belt made to fit nicely into the muzzle of your gun, by which means, in the process of drawing your charge, you can empty your shot into them without losing a grain.