On coating the Guns, it may be found useful to let the painter mark on them the date, which will show how long it lasts, as this may differ at different stations, especially such as are exposed to much damp air, and it will afford the means of calculating the necessary demands of articles for this purpose at stated periods.
The same rules are to be observed in the preservation of all iron Ordnance mounted on works, with regard to the application of lacquer and anticorrosion, and the precautions of keeping the pieces laid under metal, and frequently brushing out their bores, &c., as recommended in the foregoing instructions.
MIXTURE OF INGREDIENTS FOR COATING AND LACQUERING IRON ORDNANCE.
| lb. | |||
| Anticorrosion | 40 | Linseed oil, gallons | 4 |
| Black (Grant’s) ground in oil | 4 | Turpentine (spirits of) pint | 1 |
| Red lead, as a drier | 3 |
This mixture, when well stirred and incorporated, will be fit for use, but, as by long keeping in this state it becomes hard, no more should be mixed than is required for present use.
BLACK LEAD LACQUER, FOR THE BORE OR CYLINDER.
| lb. | lb. | oz. | ||
| Black lead (Cumberland) | 9 | Red lead | 2 | 8 |
| Linseed oil, gallons | 4 | Lamp black, or wad | 0 | 4 |
The oil to be boiled, and the paint to be well ground. This will keep. Great care should be taken in boiling the oil, as any damp falling in would cause an explosion.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LACQUERING SHOT, AND SHELLS.
All Shot and Shells (including Shrapnell) are first to be cleaned exteriorly by the machine or otherwise, and then such as are found sufficiently correct and up to their proper gauge are to be twice lacquered with the following composition, leaving sufficient time between for the coats to become perfectly dry and hard. The warmest weather is the proper time for this operation. Ten labourers can examine, clean, and lacquer with two coats one thousand shot in a day, provided the weather be favourable.