The cleaning of a muzzle-loader was an immense undertaking. First, the
barrels were removed from the stocks, then bucketfuls of hot water were
forced through them; out would pour a stream of black, liquid filth,
having no respect for clothes or person, and smelling abominably.
Heated water was used because it cleaned away all the foulness of the
black powder, and quickly dried off. After washing, the barrels were
fixed in vices carefully padded to prevent injury, and then they were
given a hearty polishing inside with a tow-topped rod. Great attention
was paid to the locks, which were not so well protected from water
as they are to-day--they were removed every now and then, and taken
apart by means of a neat little clamp for holding the mainspring. In
those days people spoke of how many pounds of shot they had fired--not
of how many cartridges. The old-time bags were not to be despised.
One keeper, who has been in his present place for forty odd years,
told us that he can always remember his last day's shooting with
muzzle-loaders, because they bagged the same number of hares as
pheasants--218--to say nothing of 324 rabbits. They must have performed
some wonderful feats of loading as well as shooting.
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