_Standing Breech._—See false breech. _Steady-pin._—The small projection on the mainspring which fits into the lock-plate. _Strap._—The metal strip in a breech-loader which runs from the breech-works down the stock, in place of the tail, or the old fashioned breech-pin. _Strikers._—See plungers. _Sugar Maple._—A tree indigenous to the United States, whose wood is extensively used in the manufacture of gun-stocks. See curled maple. _Swivel._—The small piece in a lock connecting the tumbler and the mainspring. _Tear._—When a bullet makes a hole larger than its own diameter, particularly in the flesh of an animal, the gun from which it was shot is said to tear. _Tenons._—Iron projections on the lump of a breech-loader, to fit into corresponding spaces in the action. _Thimbles._—The metallic loops on the under side of a muzzle-loader, made to hold the ramrod when not in use. _Toe._—The extremity of the breech which rests nearest the armpit when in the act of taking off-hand aim. _Top Lever._—The lever of a breech-loader, which works on the upper side of the gun, just back of the hammers. _Trigger._—The small lever under the gun, upon which is pressed with the finger to release the confined mainspring and allow the hammer to descend. _Trigger-Plate._—The iron plate in which the trigger works. _Trigger Spring._—A small spring to keep the trigger pressed close to the sear. _Tube._—The modern gunmaker calls the gun-barrel a tube; in old times the only tube known to the gunsmith was that projection upon which the percussion cap was exploded. See nipple. _Tube._—See nipple. _Tumbler._—That part of the lock directly connected with the hammer, and in which are the two set notches. _Tumbler-Screw._—The screw on the outside of the lock, passing through the hammer and holding it securely in its connection with the tumbler. _Upper Rib._—The rib above and between the barrels of a double-barrel shot-gun. _Vent._—A small hole in side of the gun breech communicating with the interior or powder chamber. _Vise._—An implement for clamping or holding. _White Maple._—The _Acer dasycarpum_ of botanists—a near relative of the sugar maple. Common in many parts of the United States. Called soft maple in some localities. _Whole-Stock._—A gun-stock extending the entire length of the barrel. _Wiper._—A long ramrod used only in wiping out and cleaning the bore of a muzzle loader. Also a small spiral implement made to screw on the end of a ramrod for the purpose of boring into and drawing a wad from a gun, or for holding material for wiping. Sometimes called a wormer. _Wormer._—See wiper. CHAPTER XL. VOCABULARY OF CHEMICALS AND SUBSTANCES USED IN BROWNING, VARNISHES, &C. _Acid, Gallic._—Acid produced in yellowish colored crystals, derived from nut-galls or oak-apples. Soluble in water and alcohol. Nut galls are an import ingredient in the manufacture of good black ink.