Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ...in a week, flaking included. Fig. 18 shows Mr. Southwell in the act of knapping and well illustrates the position, &c. The flints when made are thrown into tins ranged round the block as shown in the plate. Commencing on the left of the knapper the tins are so placed that best and most used flints are placed in the tin opposite to him. Mr. Southwell's arrangement is 1 Second Single, 2 Second Carbine, 3 Second Horse-pistol, 4 Second Musket, 5 Common Carbine, 6 Common Musket, 7 Common Horse-pistol, 8 Common Sinjjle, 9 Grey Musket. When the tins are full the flints are counted. This is done in fives called easts--an average tin holding about 100 casts. The flints are thrown on to a board or table, at which the counter sits and draws the flints into his apron, three with the right hand two with the left hand. The process is very rapid. Southwell counted in my presence 700 in I minute 35 seconds, or at the rate of about 1,000 in two minutes. He considers this about his average speed and has counted 50,000 at the same rate, including the time spent in picking up, emptying, and replacing the tubs or cans. The quickest counter in Brandon can count 600 a minute. At one lime a leather collar or disc was placed on the knapping hammer close to the head to prevent chips hitting the hand, but this is never done at present except by old men. The prices paid to journeymen are, per thousand, for flaking, a shilling; for knapping, 14pence, but in slack times the price has fallen to seven penoe. The prices of the gun-flints per thousand at present in the town are s. d. Second Musketa----3 6 Common Muskets----29 Spotted Muekets----2 6 Solid Grey Muskets---2 0 Second Carbine----3 4 Second Horse-pistol-- 2 9 Common Horse-pistol---1 8 Second..
