Breech.—In earlier days all that portion of the gun back of the lock was considered the breech, but now a gun is regarded as having two breeches: the breech of the barrel, the place where the cartridge is inserted, as in the case of the breech-loaders, and the breech of the stock, being that part which comes against the shoulder.
Breech-bolt.—A small iron bar used in some make of guns to assist in holding the barrel secure to the action.
Bridle.—That piece in the lock connected with the tumbler as a kind of cap.
Browning.—A rust produced on the surface of gun-barrels by means of acids.
Bump.—The corner of the stock at the top of the heel-plate.
Burnisher.—A piece of smooth and hardened steel used in polishing the surface of metals.
Calibre.—The diametrical measurement of the bore of a gun barrel. Breech loaders are made of 10, 12, 14, 16 and 20 calibre. Muzzle loader of every variety of measurement.
Cap.—The metal covering placed on the end of a pistol handle. Also the small cup-like contrivance put on the nipple upon which the hammer strikes to fire the gun.
Carbine.—A short form of rifle; so made to be easily carried by persons who used them mounted on horses.
Cartridges.—The ammunition for a gun, contained in metal or paper cases. They are sized to regular numbers, as gauge 10 or 12, etc., and are of two kinds, central-fire and rim-fire.