Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-10-18
MISCELLA Y.
Accidents from Firearms.

The accident by which Ex-Gov. Briggs
of Massachusetts, los, his life, called forth a
communication from an old spurtsmau on
the proper use Of fire-tfriis, which was pub
lished in the Boston Journal of September
10Th, and which we copy below. The in
structions given apply to good percussion
locks poor ones cannot be depended on
for anything, and should not be used. The
suggestions Of the writer are worthy Of con-
sidera,ion:
Having used the percussion gun con-
santly ever since it was first introduced,
my experience has led me TO adopt an in
variable rule. 1t is this: When the g,u is
charged nerer ollo,c the lock 10 be in any
other condition Moa at half.coek, erceot az
the moment before firing. The reasons why
this rule should be adopted and religiously
observed are briefly these; The lock is so
constructed that when at half cock (pro-
vided il is good for anything, and no other
should ever be used) il cannot be moved
from that point toward the cap to explode
it, in any possible way. You may strike it
violently and il will not yield until the lock
itself breaks in pieces. If by any acciden,
it is moved in an opposite direction, it must
go back until it is fully cooked, and must
remain there until the trigger is touched.
If it does not go back to that point it can
not possibly, in returning, pass the point Of
its first position that OF half cock-unless
the trigger is touched at the moment, which
would seldom if ever happen.
Many sportsmen are in the habit Of car
rying the gun "at the cock" even when in
company with others, as well as when alone.
Should twig accidentally touch the tris-
ger, should The sportsman stumble and fall,
or strike a heavy blow with the breech
against tree, the gun explodes; it may be
harmlessly, or perhaps at the expense of
life and limb. Mecer cock tie GIN until tie
moment before firing. Again, others are
under the erroneous impression that the
safest way is to carry the hammer down
upon the cap. The truth is that is the
most dangerous of all When the hammer
| is pressed upon The cap, the jarring caused
by the various movements in handling the
gun is constantly bringing the percussion
powder to such q state that very slight
tap upon the hammer viii explode it. New
this is precisely the way in which almost all
the accidents happen by which so many
wounds have been inflicted and lives lost
by the sudden explosion of firearms.
/ II il trite but nevertheless true saying,
that it is hard to cure old dogs Of their
tricks" Old sportsmen wU follow their
old habits; but TO young sportsmen, would
say, adopt the following short rules, and
will insure you as much safety as can be
expected from the use of an instrument at
all times dangerous.
i. When The gun is not charged, ai,eays
put the hammer down upon the nipple. 1t
relieves the handspring, and preserves its
strength.
2. When you load bring the hammer to
half-cock, charge the gun, and let the put
ting on of the cap be the last operation,
Press it down lightly with your fingers, and
not by carrying the hammer down upon it.
8. Never cock the gun until the moment
before firing.
4. In all cases, whether alone or in COM
pany, while hunting, keep the gun at half
cock, and never upon any account put the
hammer down upon the cap.
). 1t is better on setting the gun aside,
first 10 discharge it; but if you will or
must leave it loaded, be sure TO leave il at
half-cock, and with the cap plainly 20 be
seen. If then it should be accidentally
thrown down by taking a coat " from be-
fore it or in any way, it cannot be dis
charged. An OLD SroRTsNAN.