_Cylinder._—That part of a revolver in which the charges are placed. In the older make of percussion lock guns a short plug screwed into the side of the barrel at the breech, in which was placed the cap-tube or nipple, and through which the fire from the cap was communicated to the charge. _Damascus._—The variegated appearance on gun barrels, produced by welding together metals dissimilar, as steel and iron, and then, while heated, twisting these metals into various tortuous forms and re-welding. The colors of the dissimilar metals are brought out by browning mixtures. _Direct Fire._—That arrangement in a breech-loader by which the plunger lies and strikes the ignition horizontally. _Dog._—That part of the gun-lock acted upon by the trigger to release the tightened mainspring and set the hammer in motion. Earlier gunsmiths called it by this name, but it is now usually called the sear. _Double Triggers._—Often called set-triggers. A pair of triggers arranged to a rifle, occasionally, to admit of setting it off with but slight pressure. The triggers are located one in advance of the other under the guard. To operate pull upon the rear one until it “clicks” and is “set,” after which cock the gun. The slightest pressure upon the front trigger springs the “set,” which acts suddenly upon the sear, releasing the mainspring. _Drop._—Distance measured from the top of the butt of a gun stock to a line drawn rear-ward from the top of the barrels, usually from 2 to 3½ inches. _Elevated Rib._—The raised rib on top of and between the barrels of a shot gun. _Escutcheons._—Pieces of metal, through which the bolt to hold the barrel to the stock, is passed. _Extractor._—An automatic working rod in central fire guns, by which the empty cartridge is partly withdrawn from the chamber. _False Breech._—A piece of iron permanently screwed to the stock to fit squarely against the breech of the barrel. In the modern muzzle-loader the barrel is secured against it by hooks. It is also called a patent breech, also a standing breech. _Fastenings._—Mechanism for holding the barrel of breech-loaders securely to the frame or action when the barrel is in position for firing. _Flash._—In the days of the old flint-lock a gun was said to “flash” when the priming ignited in the pan but failed to fire the charge. _Flux._—A substance or mixture used to facilitate the melting of metals or minerals, as glass, borax, and the like. _Fore Piece._—That portion of the stock lying under the barrel, forward of the lock, called also fore-end and fore-arm. _Fore Sight._—The sight located nearest the muzzle end of the barrel. _Forge._—A furnace with its accompaniments where iron or other metals are wrought by heating and hammering. When a piece of metal is hammered into some required shape, the operation is termed “to forge it.” _Fowling Piece._—A smooth bored gun, used for hunting small game, shooting shot or small pellets.