Burning, Quickness of. The relative quickness of two different powders may be determined by burning a train laid in a circular or other groove which returns into itself, one-half of the groove being filled with each kind of powder, and fire communicated at one of the points of meeting of the two trains; the relative quickness is readily deduced from observation of the point at which the flames meet.
Burnish. In a military sense, is to give a peculiar lustre to a gun-barrel or other part of a rifle by rubbing it with a piece of steel. It is generally forbidden as injurious to the gun.
Burque (Fr.). A kind of cuirass which was worn with the brigantine.
Burr. In gunnery, a round iron ring, which serves to rivet the end of the bolt, so as to form a round head.
Burrel-shot. Small shot, nails, stones, pieces of old iron, etc., put into cases to be discharged from any piece of ordnance. Very seldom used.
Bursting. The simplest method of bursting open strong gates is, to explode a bag of gunpowder containing 50 or 60 pounds suspended near the middle of the gate upon a nail or gimlet, by means of a small piece of port-fire inserted at the bottom, and well secured with twine.
Busaco. A hamlet in the province of Beira, Portugal. Here the British under Wellington repulsed an attack of the French under Masséna, September 27, 1810. The French lost about 4000 killed and wounded; the English loss did not exceed 1300.
Busby. A military coiffure, or cap, or bear-skin; the French colbach.
Bushiere (on the Persian Gulf). Attacked by sea by Sir H. Leeke, and by land by Gen. Stalker, was taken December 10, 1856. The place proved stronger than was expected, and was bravely defended.
Bushing a Gun. Inserting a piece of metal about an inch in diameter (near the bottom of the bore) through the centre of which the vent has been previously drilled. It is screwed in. The object of bushing a piece is to prevent deterioration of the vent, or provide a new one, when this has already occurred. In bronze pieces pure copper is always used in bushing, as it is not so liable to run from heat as gun-metal. Only rifled and bronze pieces are bushed.