Apparatus required.—(1) A piece of paper in which to wrap the borrowed watch; and a second piece of the same size and color. This must be folded to create the impression that it contains a watch.
(2) An ordinary toy pistol. This must be taken to a tinsmith, in order to have a tin muzzle of the shape shown in [Fig. 7] soldered to the barrel. It will also be necessary for the tinsmith to make another very important addition to the pistol. It consists of the little pan illustrated in [Fig. 8]. This pan fits into the muzzle. But in order that it may not sink down too far, and can be removed easily, a flange must be made round the edge, as shown in [Figs. 7] and [8]. Before commencing the trick, the piece of paper folded into the shape of a watch must be placed inside the muzzle, and the tin pan fitted into position on top of it.
Fig. 9.—Showing front of target.
Fig. 10.—Back of target with revolving center.
(3) A target ([Fig. 9]). This target, as might be anticipated, is not so simple as it looks. The “bull’s-eye” at the center must be cut completely out with a fretsaw, and then replaced again on the two pivots (B B, [Fig. 10]). A small wooden clip should next be fixed in the position illustrated by C, and a piece of elastic fastened to the “bull’s-eye” at A, and stretched to the other side of the target.
It will now be observed that the tendency of the elastic is to make the “bull’s-eye” revolve upon its pivots. The wooden catch C, however, prevents this happening.
The catch is secured to the target by a single nail or screw, in precisely the same manner as the “button” is fixed to an ordinary cupboard door. A piece of black thread must be fastened to one end of the catch, and carried down behind the target through a series of hooks made from bent pins (D, [Fig. 10]).
A pull at the thread thus causes the wooden catch to release the “bull’s-eye,” which will instantly be forced round upon its pivots by the elastic, and show the other side:—which must be similarly painted with rings—to the audience. To complete the target, drive a small hook into the center of the “bull’s-eye.” The finished article must then be placed behind a screen in readiness for the performance.