A

Acetone - A colourless, highly flammable chemical compound (CH3)2CO used

as an organic solvent, an ingredient in many lacquer thinner compounds and
adhering liquids; used to remove lacquer adhered knife-cut stencils and lacquer
type blockout from screen fabrics.

Adenine - A purine base, C5H5N5, present in all living cells, mainly as a

subunit of nucleic acids.

Algae - Simple rootless plants that grow in sunlit waters in relative proportion to
the amounts of nutrients available. They are food for fish and small aquatic
animals.

Alias - A name that an entity uses in place of its real name, usually for the
purpose of either anonymity or deception.

Alkali metal - Any of the monovalent metals of group I of the periodic table
(lithium or sodium or potassium or rubidium or cesium or francium); "the
hydroxides of the alkali metals are strongly alkaline".

Amplitude - Greatness of magnitude, maximum displacement from the

equilibrium of a periodic wave.

Annihilation - The act of destroying something.

Anthropologist - A social scientist who specializes in anthropology - the study

of bones.

Antibodies - A class of proteins (known as immunoglobulins) formed in the

body in response to the presence of antigens (foreign proteins and other
compounds), which bind to the antigen, inactivating it.

Antigens - Foreign substances in the body that are capable of causing disease.
The presence of antigens in the body triggers an immune response, usually the
production of antibodies. Antigens may be soluble substances, such as toxins
and foreign proteins, or particulate, such as bacteria and tissue cells; however
only the portion of the protein of polysaccharide molecule known as the
antigenic determinant combines with antibody or a specific receptor on a
lymphocyte.

Arson - The intentional and unlawful burning of a building or other property.

Arthritis - A medical condition affecting a joint or joints, causing pain, swelling

and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that can result in
weakness, loss of mobility, and eventual destruction and deformity of the joints.
Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) usually affects people
after middle age and is characterized by gradual loss of cartilage of the joints.

Asphyxiation - A medical term for suffocation, which leads to lack of oxygen in

the blood.

Asymmetric - Not similar in size, shape, form or arrangement of parts on

opposite sides of a line, point or plane.

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Beryllium Oxide - (BeO) a poisonous ionic chemical substance used as an

electrical insulator.

Bile - A digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps
digest fats.

Biodegradable - Such materials are any organic substances that can be

broken down by microorganisms into simpler, more stable compounds. Most
organic waste such as foods, paper, etc are biodegradable.

Bits - The smallest unit of information used on a computer. Bits have a single
binary value either 0 or 1.

Botanist - One who studies the science of plants.

Bridge - A denture anchored to teeth on either side of missing teeth.

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Canvas - Strong heavy cloth made from cotton, hemp or flax used with clothing,
bags, paintings and curtains.

Cap - Crownwork: dental appliance consisting of an artificial crown for a tooth.

Carbon dioxide - A colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally in the

Earth's atmosphere. Significant quantities are also emitted into the air by fossil
fuel combustion and deforestation. It is a greenhouse gas of major concern in
the study of global warming. It is estimated that the amount in the air is
increasing by 0.27% annually.

Carbon monoxide - A colourless, odourless, very toxic gas made up of carbon

and oxygen, that burns to carbon dioxide with a blue flame and is formed as a
product of the incomplete combustion of carbon.

Carcinogenic - Cancer causing.

Cartridge case - A cylindrical case of pasteboard, metal or the like, for holding
a complete charge of powder, and often, also the bullet for a rifle, machine gun
or small arm.

Catalyst - A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, without

being consumed or produced by the reaction. Enzymes are catalysts for many
biochemical reactions.

Charge - A quantity of explosive to be set off at one time.

Chloroform - A substance used as an intermediate in the production of

refrigerants, agrochemicals and fluoropolymers, produced mainly by the
chlorination of methane. It is no longer used as an anaesthetic.

Choline - A B-fatty acid involved in the production of neurotransmitters in the

brain that regulates mood, appetite, behavior, memory, etc. Most effective in
phosphatidyl choline form. It is believed to help concentration and alertness.
Studies indicate that it improves cognitive performance. Blood levels of choline
decrease during prolonged exercise.

Chromatography - Chromatography is a method for separating mixtures based

on differences in the speed at which they migrate over or through a stationary
phase.

Chronological - Arranged in the order in which events happened; according to

date.

Collarbone - Clavicle: the bone linking the scapula and sternum.

Composite - An image of a face made up from separate facial parts.

Coroner - A public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to
natural causes.

Crown - An enamel cover (on teeth).

Cyanide - A chemical compound comprised of carbon and nitrogen. Cyanide is

water-soluble and is used in ore processing solutions to extract gold from
crushed rock.

Cytosine - A pyrimidine base, C4H5N3O, present in living cells, mainly in

combined form, as in nucleic acids.

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Deception - The act of deceiving.

Decode - To convert a coded message into understandable form using ordinary
language.

Defuse - To remove the triggering device from (a weapon).

Diagnosis - To process of testing to identify other problems.

Digestion - The act or process by which food is digested i.e. prepared for use
by the body in the stomach and intestines.

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Electrocution - Death brought about by electricity.

Electroencephalograph - A machine that measures the electrical activity of the

brain and transfers the information gathered to a report. Used as a diagnostic
tool.

Electrophesis - A method of separating large molecules (such as DNA

fragments or proteins) from a mixture of similar molecules. An electric current is
passed through a medium containing the mixture, and each kind of molecule
travels through the medium at a different rate, depending on its electrical charge
and size. Separation is based on these differences. Agarose and acrylamide
gels are the media commonly used for electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic
acids.

Embezzlement - The fraudulent use of money or property which has been

entrusted to one's care.

Encode - To convert plain text into a different form by means of a code.

Endothermic - Referring to a process that absorbs energy.

Enzyme - A protein that accelerates the rate of chemical reactions. Enzymes

are catalysts that promote reactions repeatedly, without being damaged by the
reactions.

Equilibrium - A balance: equality of distribution.

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Femur - Also called the thighbone, is the long bone between the hip and the
knee.

Fibre - A fine, threadlike piece; matter made from such threads.

Filling - A dental appliance consisting of any of various substances (as metal or

plastic) inserted into a prepared cavity in a tooth; "when he yawned I could see
the gold fillings in his teeth"; "an informal British term for `filling' is `stopping'.

Firing pin - A plunger in the firing mechanism of a gun that strikes the primer
and thus ignites the propelling charge of a projectile.

Fluorescein - An orange-red water-soluble compound, C20H12O5 whose

solutions in alkalis produce an orange colour and a green fluorescence. It is
used an indicator and in dyes.

Fluorescent - A bright vivid colour that glows under a black light.

Forensic medicine - A branch of medical science that uses medical knowledge

for legal purposes.

Formaldehyde - A pungent gas; in liquid form, it is used as an antiseptic,

disinfectant and fixative for tissues.

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Gas chromatographs - Diagrams representing the different speeds of various

constituents in a substance, as they travel through a non-reactive gas.

Generalisation - The process of making statements about the general

population on the basis of relevant research.

Glycerol - A three-carbon substance that forms the backbone of fatty acids in

fats. Is a lubricant but has found little because of its tendency to rapidly absorb
moisture.

Gravity - The force of attraction that causes objects to fall toward the centre of
the earth.

Guanine - A purine base, C5H5N5O, present in all living cells, mainly in

combined form, as in nucleic acids.

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H
Habit - An established custom.

Haemoglobin - A haem protein responsible the red colouring of blood and for
the transport of oxygen to the tissues.

Haemorrhage - To bleed severely.

Hard disk - A fast, high-capacity magnetic disk, completely enclosed in a

protective case inside the computer, used for storing computer data.

Hologram - A laser-created photograph that creates a three-dimensional

image; used as an anti-counterfeiting measure on bankcards.

Human genome - The complete set of human genes - approximately 100,000

total - which together contain information covering every aspect of human
physical development and function.

Hydrocarbons - Organic chemical compounds of hydrogen and carbon atoms

that form the basis of all petroleum products, they may exist as solids, liquids or
gases.

Hyoid - A U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the tongue
muscles.

Hypostasis - The pooling of blood as it accumulates at the lowest parts of the

body, being pulled down by gravity; is a method of determining the position of
the body at/after death.

Hypothermia - This situation occurs when the core temperature of one's body
falls below normal. It is the failure of the body to maintain adequate production
of heat under conditions of extreme cold.

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Immunoassay -A test using antibodies to identify and quantify substances.

Often the antibody is linked to a marker such as a fluorescent molecule, a
radioactive molecule, or an enzyme.

Indent - A notch or dent left on paper due to the force from the tip of a pen
when writing.

Infrared - Light that is so red humans cannot see it. A band of the
electromagnetic spectrum between the visible and the microwave. Photons of
infrared light are less energetic than photons of visible light.

Infrared spectroscopy (IR Spectroscopy)- A type of spectroscopy that uses

the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The infrared part of the
electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic wave frequencies below the visible
range.

IP address - The numeric address of a computer on the Internet. An IP address

is written as a set of four numbers separated by periods (each number can
range from 0 to 255). An example of an IP address is 123.123.4.5.

Iris - The contractile circular diaphragm forming the coloured portion of the eye
and containing a circular opening (the pupil) in its centre.

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Lacerations - Anything that has been torn roughly for example - a rough cut.

Larvae - The young of any insect which goes through metamorphosis (changes
in body structure) before becoming an adult.

Larynx - An irregularly shaped, musculocartilaginous tubular structure lined with

mucous membrane, located at the top of the trachea and below the root of the
tongue and the hyoid bone. It is the essential sphincter guarding the entrance
into the trachea and functioning secondarily as the organ of voice.

Laser - Laser is the acronym of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of

Radiation. A device for producing a coherent, monochromatic, high intensity
beam of radiation of a frequency within, or near to, the range of visible light.

Luminal spray - A substance used to enhance fingerprints.

Luminescence - Emission of light by chemical or electrical means.

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Maggots - The larvae of flies and other insects that live on rotting food.

Magnetic field - All magnetic fields are created by moving electric charge. The
single moving electron around a nucleus is a tiny electric current. These orbiting
electrons create magnetic fields and their net effect is to provide the atom with a
magnetic field. Magnetic fields are historically described in terms of their effect
on electric charges. A moving electric charge, such as an electron, will
accelerate in the presence of a magnetic field, causing it to change velocity and
its direction of travel. An electrically charged particle moving in a magnetic field
will experience a force (known as the Lorentz force) pushing it in a direction
perpendicular to the magnetic field and the direction of motion. Also called
magnetic flux.

Manufactured - Made by hand or machinery, especially on a large scale.

Mass spectrometers - An instrument used to both measure and analyse

molecules under study. The process involves introducing enough energy into a
target molecule to cause its ionisation and disintegration. The resulting
fragments are then analyzed, based on the mass to charge ratio and produces
a "molecular fingerprint."

Mass spectrometry - This technique can be used to both measure and analyze
molecules under study. It involves introducing enough energy into a target
molecule to cause its ionization and disintegration. The resulting fragments are
then analyzed, based on the mass/ charge ratio to produce a "molecular
fingerprint."

Mitochondrial - Of or relating to mitochondrions, one of the tiny granules

(grains; particles), present in living cells, regarded as responsible for respiration
and energy production.

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Naked eye - The eye, unaided by any optical instrument that alters the power of
vision or alters the apparent size or distance of objects; "it is not safe to look
directly at the sun with the naked eye".

Natural radiation - Radiation that is always present in the environment from

such sources as cosmic rays and radioactive materials in rocks and soils. Also
known as background radiation.

Nitrogen - Nitrogen is a gaseous element that occurs in air (78% of air volume).
It is an essential component of proteins and nucleic acids in living organisms.

Noble gas - Any of a group of rare gases that include helium, xenon, and
sometimes radon and that exhibit great stability and extremely low reaction
rates. They are often referred to as inert gases.

Nucleus - A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for
growth and reproduction.

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Occiput - Rear portion of crown. In picture it is referred to as the hindhead.

Odontologist - One who practices the science of teeth.

Oesophagus - A tube connecting the back of the mouth to the stomach; a part
of the digestive system.

Optical - Optical means something that pertains or is designed to assist sight;

pertaining to or using light.

Ossification (osteogenesis)- A three-stage process by which bone is formed.

The first step is the formation of a mesh of collagen fibers. Next, the body
produces a "cement" substance (polysaccharide). Finally, small crystals of
calcium salts are deposited into the cement to form bone.

Oxidation - The process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound

with a loss of electrons; always occurs accompanied by reduction.

Oxygen - A colourless, odourless gas that makes up about 20 percent of the air
we breathe; it is essential to life because it is used for the chemical reactions
that occur in the cells of the body.

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PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - A method for amplifying a DNA base

sequence using a heat stable polymerase and two 20-base primers, one
complementary to the (+) strand at one end of the sequence to be amplified and
the other complementary to the (-) strand at the other end. Because the newly
synthesized DNA strands can subsequently serve as additional templates for
the same primer sequences, successive rounds of primer annealing, strand
elongation, and dissociation produce rapid and highly specific amplification of
the desired sequence. PCR also can be used to detect the existence of the
defined sequence in a DNA sample.

Peroxidase - Any of a group of enzymes (occurring especially in plant cells)

that catalyse the oxidation of a compound by a peroxide.

Perpendicular - Vertical or upright.

Petty crime - A small crime such as minor theft, trespassing etc.

pH level - A measure of acidity or alkalinity as of soil, water etc. on a scale

running from 1 (extreme acidity) to 14 (extreme alkalinity), equal to the negative
logarithm of the concentration of the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion in
gram atoms per litre. So a pH of 5 indicates a concentration of 10-5 gram atoms
of hydrogen in one litre.

Phenol - A highly poisonous, caustic crystalline chemical compound derived

from coal tar or plant tar or manufactured synthetically. It has a distinctive,
pungent odour and, in solution, is a powerful disinfectant.

Phonetics - The study of the production, transmission, and reception of speech

sounds.

Phosphatase - Any of numerous enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of esters

of phosphoric acid and are important in the absorption and metabolism of
carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phospholipids and in the calcification of bone.

Pigment - Organic substance found in plant and animal cells that creates
colouring.

Pneumographs - Rubber tubes filled with air.

Polygraph - A medical instrument that records several physiological processes

simultaneously (e.g. pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and
perspiration).

Polymer - A natural or synthetic compound of high molecular weight composed

of long chains of repeating units, each relatively light and simple.

Prosecutor - The lawyer that represents the government.

Protocol - A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, especially

across a network. Low-level protocols define the electrical and physical
standards to be observed, bit- and byte-ordering and the transmission and error
detection and correction of the bit stream. High-level protocols deal with the
data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the terminal-to-computer
dialog, character sets, and sequencing of messages.

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Radius - The outer and slightly shorter of the two bones of the human forearm.

Ransom - An exchange or buy back for money; under threat.

Refractive index - A measure of the degree through which light is refracted

when passing through a particular material compared to a vacuum.

Residue - Matter that remains after something has been removed.

RH Factor - Any of one or more genetically determined antigens usu. present in

the red blood cells of humans and higher animals and capable of inducing
intense immunogenic reactions -called also rhesus factor.

Ridge - A long narrow natural elevation or striation.

Rigor mortis - The stiffening of the body muscles after death.

Ritual - Stereotyped behaviour.

Root canal - Also called endodontic treatment, it is the cleaning out the inside
nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed, and replacing it with a material seals
the inside of the root so infection cannot get back in.

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Scanning electronic microscope - A microscope that uses electrons instead

of light to create an image of higher magnifications than with a light microscope.

Seminal (acid) - Pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen; "seminal

fluid".

Serrated - Containing sharply pointed teeth.

Server - A computer system or program that provides service across a network.

The service may be file access, login access, file transfer, printing and so on.

Solvents - Liquids, usually petroleum based, that can dissolve solids and keep
them in solution. May contribute to pollution through evaporation.

Spectroscope - An instrument that separates light into it's different

wavelengths. It is the instrument that permits us to identify the elements in a
particular light source.

Sphygmomanometer - An instrument used to measure blood pressure.

Spina Bifida - A condition in which the spinal cord does not close over the
nerve column during the prenatal period. The amount of the spinal column that
remains open determines how many nerves will be affected. It may involve loss
of sensation and severe muscle weakness in the lower part of the body. This
condition is often associated with an abnormal buildup of pressure of spinal fluid
in the brain which can produce retardation unless it is surgically treated.

Spleen - A highly vascular, glandlike but ductless organ, situated in humans

near the cardiac end of the stomach, in which the blood undergoes certain
corpuscular changes.

Stippling - This is a method of paint application where the artist applies a series
of dots by dabbing with the end of the brush, which is held at right angles to the
picture surface.

Strangulation - The condition of having respiration stopped by compression of

the air passage.

Subconscious - Subconscious mind: psychic activity just below the level of

awareness.

Swap file - A disk file or partition used to temporarily store information when
system memory runs low.

Symmetric - Having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of

corresponding parts.

Synthetic - Man-made, rather than occurring naturally.

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Thermo luminescence - Luminescence produced by heat.

Thin-layer chromatography - A chromatographic procedure used to identify

drugs of abuse in urine using a thin layer of material such as silicon as a carrier.
The separated substances are dyed, and the resultant colour and migration
patterns are used to identify the drugs in question.

Thymine - A white crystalline pyrimidine base, C5H6N2O2 which occurs in

DNA and is one of the four main units upon which the genetic code is based.

Tissue - A part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells having a

similar structure and function.

Tomography - The technique of obtaining an X-ray picture of a selected layer

in an object.

Trauma - A physical injury or wound caused by an external force of violence,

which may cause death or permanent disability. Trauma is also used to
describe severe emotional or psychological shock or distress.

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Ultraviolet - Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from

about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380
nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

Ultraviolet light - Radiation lying in the ultraviolet range; wave lengths shorter
than light but longer than X rays.

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Vagus nerve - Either of two cranial nerves extending through neck into thorax
and the upper part of the abdomen - a pneumogastric nerve.

Vasectomy - Surgical procedure that removes all or part of the vas deferens
(usually as a means of sterilization); is sometimes reversible.

Verdict - The finding or answer given to the court by the jury.

Vertebrae - One or twenty-four moveable segments of the human spinal

column. Two vertebrae adjacent to each other form a motor unit.

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Watermark - A translucent name or design molded into the paper during the
manufacturing process, usually in the border area; more visible when held up to
a light.

Wisdom teeth - The third molar teeth, the last in each quadrant.

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X-rays - Invisible, highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation of a much

shorter wavelength than visible light, discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm C.
Roentgen. Most applications of X rays are based on their ability to pass through
matter. They are dangerous in that they can destroy living tissue, causing
severe skin burns on human flesh exposed for too long a time. This property is
applied in x-ray therapy to destroy diseased cells. See Ionising radiation.
A

acknowledgment: the act of going before a qualified officer (e.g.,

Clerk) and declaring the validity of the document. The officer
certifies same, whose certification is known as the
acknowledgment

acquit: the act of freeing a person from the charge of an offense

by means of a decision, verdict or other legal process; to
discharge

action: a civil judicial proceeding whereby one party prosecutes

another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or prevention
of a wrong; requires service of process on adversary party or
potentially adversary party

actual place of business: Any location that the defendant,

through regular solicitation or advertisement, has held out as its
place of business (sec. 308.6 CPLR).

ad damnum: clause of a pleading alleging amount of loss or injury

adjournment: a temporary postponement of the proceedings of a

case until a specified future time

adjudicate: to hear or try and determine judicially

adversary: An opponent. The defendant is the plaintiff's

adversary.

adversary system: the system of trial practice in the U.S. and

some other countries in which each of the opposing, or adversary,
parties has full opportunity to present and establish its opposing
contentions before the court

affiant: one who swears to an affidavit; deponent

affidavit: a sworn or affirmed statement made in writing and

signed; if sworn, it is notarized

affinity: Related by marriage; family relation from one's spouse's

family.

affidavit of service: an affidavit intended to certify the service of a

writ, notice, or other document

affirm: an act of declaring something to be true under the penalty

of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines to take an
oath for religious or other pertinent reasons

affirmation: A solemn and formal declaration under penalties of

perjury that a statement is true, without an oath.
affirmed: Upheld, agreed with (e.g.,The Appellate Court affirmed
the judgment of the City Court).

allegation: the assertion, declaration, or statement of a party to an

action, made in a pleading, setting out what the party expects to
prove

allege: To assert a fact in a pleading.

alternate juror: a juror selected as substitute in case another juror

must leave the jury panel

amend: To change.

amicus curiae: A Friend of the Court. A non-party to a proceeding

that the Court permits to present its views.

annul: to make void, as to dissolve the bonds of marriage

answer: a paper submitted by a defendant in which he/she

responds to and/or denies the allegations of the plaintiff

appeal: a proceeding to have a case examined by an appropriate

higher court to see if a lower court's decision was made correctly
according to law

appearance: the participation in the proceedings by a party

summoned in an action, either in person or through an attorney

appellant: the party who takes an appeal to a higher court

appellee: the party against whom an appeal is taken

arbitration: the submission voluntarily or involuntarily of a

disputed matter to selected persons and the substitution of their
award or decision for the judgment of a court or its confirmation by
the court as a judgment of the court

argument: a reason given in proof or rebuttal

at issue: whenever the parties to a suit come to a point in the

pleadings which is affirmed on one side and denied on the other,
they are said to be "at issue"

attachment: The taking of property into legal custody by an

enforcement officer (see specialty section: Recovery of Chattel).

attestation: the act of witnessing an instrument in writing at the

request of the party making the same, and subscribing it as a
witness

attorney of record: attorney whose name appears in the

permanent records or files of a case

award: A decision of an Arbitrator.

bail: the security given (or posted) to ensure the future

appearance of a defendant

bar: 1. Prohibit - to bar the prosecution of an action. 2. The

members of the legal profession.

bench: The Judge's seat or the judge, himself/herself, (e.g., the

attorney addressed the bench)

bifurcated trial: a case in which the trial of the liability issue in a

personal injury or wrongful death case is heard separate from and
prior to trial of the damages in question

bill of costs: A written statement of the itemized taxable costs and

disbursements

bill of particulars: factual detail submitted by a claimant after a

request by the adverse party which details, clarifies or explains
further the charges and/or facts alleged in a pleading

brief: a written or printed document prepared by the lawyers on

each side of a dispute and submitted to the court in support of their
arguments - a brief includes the points of law which the lawyer
wished to establish, the arguments the lawyer uses, and the legal
authorities on which the lawyer rests his/her conclusions.
 C

calendar: a schedule of matters to be heard in court

calendar call: the calling of matters requiring parties, or their

attorneys, to appear and be heard, usually done at the beginning
of each court day

caption: in a pleading, deposition or other paper connected with a

case in court, it is the heading or introductory clause which shows
the names of the parties, name of the court, number of the case on
the docket or calendar, etc.

case file: the court file containing papers submitted in a case

cause of action: grounds on which a legal action may be brought

(e.g., property damage, personal injury, goods sold and delivered,
work labor and services).

certified copy: Copy of a document signed and certified as a true

copy of an original by the Clerk of the Court or other authorized
persons (e.g., lawyer).

certificate of readiness: a document attesting that the parties in a

lawsuit are ready to go to trial

certify: to testify in writing

certiorari: a proceeding in the state Supreme Court under Art. 78

of the CPLR to review the decisions or actions of a public official or
body, as in a tax certiorari matter, a review of the tax assessed
challenge an exception taken to a juror before he/she is sworn
challenge for a challenge based on a legally specified reason

change of venue: the removal of a suit begun in one county or

district to another county or district for trial, though the term may
also apply to the removal of a suit from one court to another court
of the same county or district

charge to jury: in trial practice, an address delivered by the court

to the jury at the close of the case instructing the jury as to what
principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision
chattel: article of personal property

citation: 1) summons to appear; 2) reference to authorities in

support of an argument

clerk's extract: a summary of a trial which is written by a clerk

clerk's minutes: notes, which are taken by a clerk, of events that

occurred in court

commissioner of jurors: a person in charge of summoning

citizens for jury duty

commitment: an order to commit a person to the custody of a

sheriff, commissioner of corrections, or mental health facility

common law: the body of law which originated in England and

upon which present day U.S. law is based

compensatory damages: reimbursement for actual loss or injury,

as distinguished from exemplary or punitive damages

complaint: the initial pleading in an action formally setting forth

the facts and reasons on which the demand for relief is based

condemnation: see eminent domain

consanguinity: Related by blood.

conservator: one who is appointed by a court to manage the

affairs of a protected person

consolidated action: two or more actions involving a common

question of law or fact may be consolidated by the court; the
actions then are merged, becoming one action with one title, and
they result in one verdict and one judgment

contempt of court: an act or omission tending to obstruct or

interfere with the orderly administration of justice or to impair the
dignity of the court or respect for its authority

consolidate: A joining of two or more actions to be tried together.

contested action: an action which involves disputed issue(s) of

fact or law

contract: a legally enforceable agreement between two or more

persons or parties (oral or written)

corroborate: to strengthen; to add weight by additional evidence

costs: The statutory sum awarded to the successful party when a

judgment is entered. (Section 1901 all Court Acts.)

counsel: Lawyer or attorney.

counterclaim: 1. In civil actions, a claim brought by a defendant

against the plaintiff for an unlimited amount of money. 2. In small
claims/commercial claims, a claim brought by a defendant against
the plaintiff for an amount not to exceed the maximum monetary
jurisdiction allowed in the small claims/commercial claims court.

court of limited jurisdiction: A City Court, District Court or other

court that has jurisdiction only over actions authorized by law.

court reporter: a person who transcribes by shorthand or

stenographically takes down testimony during court proceedings

crossclaim: claim litigated by co-defendants or co-plaintiffs

against each other and not against a party on the opposite side of
the litigation

cross- examination: questioning by a party or his attorney of an

adverse party or a witness called by an adverse party

damages: Monetary compensation or indemnity for wrong or

injury caused by the violation of a legal right. 1. Compensatory
damages - Reimbursement for actual loss or injury. 2. Exemplary
damages - Monetary award by way of punishment for injury
caused by aggravated circumstances or malice, in addition to
compensation for the injury. 3. Punitive damages - Monetary
compensation awarded in excess of ordinary damages, as
punishment for a gross wrong.

date-stamp: the stamping on a document of the date it is received

decision: the determination reached by a court in any judicial

proceeding, which is the basis of the judgment

declaratory judgment: one fixing rights of parties without ordering

anything to be done

decree: a decision or order of the court - a final decree is one

which fully and finally disposes of the litigation; an interlocutory
decree is a provisional or preliminary decree which is not final

default: a "default" in an action of law occurs when a defendant

omits to plead or otherwise defend within the time allowed, or fails
to appear at the trial

defendant: the party being sued or the party accused of

committing the offense charged

deliberation: the process by which a panel of jurors comes to a

decision on a verdict

de novo: From the beginning, a new trial.

deponent: One who testifies under oath to the truth of facts.

deposition: sworn testimony of a witness

direct examination: the first interrogation of a witness by the

party on whose behalf the witness is called

directed verdict: an instruction by the judge to the jury to return a

specific verdict

discovery (or disclosure): a proceeding whereby one party to an

action may be informed as to facts known by other parties or
witnesses

dismissal: termination of a proceeding for a procedurally

prescribed reason

dismissal with prejudice: Action dismissed on the merits which

prevents renewal of the same claim or cause of action.

dismissal without prejudice: Action dismissed, not on the merits,

which may be re-instituted.

dispose: the act of terminating a judicial proceeding

disposition: the result of a judicial proceeding by withdrawal,

settlement, order, judgment or sentence

dissolution of marriage: the effect of a judgment of dissolution of

marriage is to restore the parties to the state of unmarried persons

docket: a document which summarizes a case

domicile: that place where a person has a true and permanent

home - a person may have several residences, but only one
domicile

easement: right held by one person to use the land of another for
a special purpose

eminent domain: the power to take private property for public use
by condemnation, i.e., the legal process by which real estate of a
private owner is taken for public use without the owner's consent,
but upon the award and payment of just compensation

enjoin: to require a person, by writ of injunction from a court of

equity, to perform or to abstain or desist from some act

equitable action (equity matter): an action which may be brought

for the purpose of restraining the threatened infliction of wrongs or
injuries, and the prevention of threatened illegal action; case in
which payment of money damages will not be adequate
compensation

equitable distribution: the power to distribute equitably upon

divorce all property legally and beneficially acquired during
marriage by husband and wife or either of them, whether legal title
lies in their joint or individual names

estop: to stop, bar, or impede

estoppel: a rule of law which prevents a person from alleging or

denying a fact, because of his/her own previous act

et al: an abbreviation of et alia meaning "and others"

et ano: And another.

evidence: a form of proof or probative matter legally presented at

the trial of an issue by the acts of the parties and through
witnesses, records, documents, concrete objects, etc., for the
purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the court or the jury

eviction, warrant of: Legal mandate authorizing an enforcement

officer to remove persons and their personal property from their
premises.

examination before trial (EBT): a formal interrogation of parties

and witnesses before trial

execution: (1) the performance of all acts necessary to render a

written instrument complete, such as signing, sealing,
acknowledging, and delivering the instruments (2) supplementary
proceedings to enforce a judgment, which, if monetary, involves a
direction to the sheriff to take the necessary steps to collect the
judgment

exemplification: An official transcript of a document from public

records, made in a form to be used as evidence and authenticated
or certified as a true copy, (e.g. exemplification of a judgment).

exhibit: a paper, document or other article produced and exhibited

to a court during a trial or hearing and, on being accepted, is
marked for identification or admitted in evidence

ex parte: a proceeding, order, motion, application, request,

submission etc., made by or granted for the benefit of one party
only; done for, in behalf of, or on application of one party only

expunge: the authorized act of physically destroying information,

in files, computers or other depositories
 F

fair preponderance: Level of proof in a civil action; more than

half; more convincing.

fee: a fixed charge for service rendered on behalf of court

fiduciary: a person or institution who manages money or property

for another, and who must exercise a standard of care in such
management activity imposed by law or contract

finding: the court's or jury's decision on issues of fact

fine: a sum imposed as punishment for an offense

first paper: Paper instituting the action (e.g., Summons, Motion,

Infants's Compromise).

foreclosure: a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes right

foreperson: a member of a jury, usually the first juror called and

sworn, or a juror elected by fellow jurors, who delivers the verdict
to the court

forum: A judicial tribunal or a place of jurisdiction. A meeting for

discussion.

full faith and credit: A requirement of the U.S. Constitution that

the records and judicial proceedings of one state shall have the
same effect in courts of other states with the same jurisdiction.

garnish: to attach a portion of the wages or other property of a

debtor to secure repayment of the debt

garnishee: A person who owes a debt to a judgment debtor, or a

person other than the judgment debtor who has property in his/her
possession or custody in which a judgment debtor has an interest

guardian ad litem: person appointed by a court to represent a

minor or incompetent for purpose of some litigation

habeas corpus: "You have the body." - the name given a variety
of writs whose object is to bring a person before a court or judge -
in most common usage, it is directed to the official or person
detaining another, commanding him/her to produce the body of a
person detained so the court may determine if such person has
been denied his/her liberty without due process of law

hearing: a preliminary examination where evidence is taken for

the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a
decision on the basis of that evidence

hearsay: a type of testimony given by a witness who relates not

what he/she knows personally, but what others have told the
witness, or what the witness has heard said by others; may be
admissible or inadmissible in court depending upon rules of
evidence

hung jury: a jury whose members cannot reconcile their

differences of opinion and thus cannot reach a verdict

impaneling: the process by which jurors are selected and sworn

to their task

impleader: An addition of a third party to an action by the

defendant.

in camera: in the judge's chamber out of the presence of the jury

and the public
incompetency: lack of legal qualification or fitness (physical,
intellectual or moral fitness) to discharge a legally required duty or
to handle one's own affairs; also relates to matters not admissible
in evidence

indemnity: Security against loss or damages, exemption from

penalty or liability, amount paid as compensation under an
indemnity agreement.

index number: a number issued by the county clerk, which is

used to identify a case - in civil matters there is usually a charge

individual assignment system (IAS): a system, established for

all civil actions and proceedings heard in Supreme and County
Court, which provides for the continuous supervision of each
action and proceeding by a single judge (NYS)

indorsed complaint: A statement of the nature and substance of

the cause of action, for money only, which indicates the amount of
the claim. It may be set forth upon the summons or attached to it.
INFANT An individual who has not attained the age of eighteen
(18).

infant's compromise: a civil proceeding or motion for obtaining

court approval of the settlement of an infant's claim

injunction: a court order for a party to stop doing or to start doing

a specific act

inquest: a proceeding which usually is a limited non-jury trial for

the purpose of fixing the amount of damages where the plaintiff or
defendant alone introduces testimony.

in re: In the matter of; concerning.

in rem: Regarding the right or title to property.

inter alia: Among other things.

interlocutory: provisional; temporary; not final - refers to orders

and decrees of a court

interpleader: action by which one having possession of an article

or fund claimed by two parties may compel them to litigate the title
between themselves, instead of with him/her

interpreter: a person sworn at a judicial proceeding to translate

oral or written language

interrogatories: written questions propounded by one party and

served on an adversary, who must provide written answers thereto
under oath

intestate: a person who dies without a will

joint trial: two or more actions involving a common question of

law or fact may be joined by court order for trial - the actions are
not merged but remain separate and distinct and may result in one
or more verdicts and judgments

judgment: A determination of the rights of the parties in an action

or special proceeding. A judgment shall refer to and state the
result of a verdict or decision, or recite the circumstances on which
it is based

judgment roll: a record of the judgment with the supporting

papers

judicial hearing officer (JHO): a person who has served as a

judge or justice of a court of record of the Unified Court System,
and who no longer is serving in such capacity, except a person
who was removed from a judicial position pursuant to Section 22
of Article VI of the Constitution

jurisdiction: the geographical, subject matter, and monetary

limitations of a court
Personal jurisdiction- Directed to a specific person to impose a
personal liability on him (usually the defendant).
Subject matter jurisdiction- Topic of consideration, thing in dispute,
right claimed by one party against another

jury: a prescribed number of persons selected according to law

and sworn to make findings of fact

jury (advisory): a body of jurors impaneled to hear a case in

which the parties have no right to a jury trial - the judge remains
solely responsible for the findings and may accept or reject the
jury's verdict

jury instructions: directions given by the judge to the jury

laches: the failure to diligently assert a right, which results in a

refusal to allow relief

legal age: Eighteen (18) years of age. See CPLR Section 1206.

legal aid: system by which legal services are rendered to those in

financial need who cannot afford private counsel

liability: an obligation to do, to eventually do, or to refrain from

doing something; money owed; or according to law one's
responsibility for his/her conduct; or one's responsibility for
causing an injury

liber: a book used for keeping a record of specific documents or

events having legal effect

lien: a claim upon the property of another as security for some

debt

litigant: Party to a legal action

long form order: an order prepared by counsel for signature of

the court (usually based on a memorandum decision)

maintenance: the furnishing by one person to another the means

of living, or food, clothing, shelter, etc., particularly where the legal
relations of the parties is such that one is bound to support the
other, as between parent and child or between spouses

material witness: person whose testimony on some issue has

been judicially determined as relevant and substantial

memorandum decision: a written opinion or decision of a court

on a litigated question, giving the court's conclusion on factual and
legal issues (this may constitute the order of the court if so stated)

memorandum opinion: memorandum in writing, which is a very

brief statement of the reasons for a decision, without detailed
explanation

military calendar: To hold in suspense an action that cannot

reasonably be tried because a party or witness is in the military
service.

minute book: A Court Clerk's Journal of Courtroom proceedings.

minutes: a record of court proceedings kept by noting significant

events

mistrial: a trial which has been terminated and declared void prior
to the reaching of verdict due to extraordinary circumstance,
serious prejudicial misconduct or hung jury - it does not result in a
judgment for any party but merely indicates a failure of trial

moot: (adj.) unsettled, undecided, not necessary to be decided

motion: an oral or written request to the court made by a party for

a ruling or order

movant: the party who initiates the motion

natural person: Individual (does not include corporate entities)

negligence: conduct which falls below the standard established

by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of
harm

non seq. (Non sequitur): It does not follow

note of issue: a document filed with the court placing a cause on

the trial calendar

notice of entry: A notice with an affidavit of service stating that

the attached copy of an entered order or judgment has been
served by a party on another party.

notice of petition: Written notice of a petitioner that a hearing will

be held in a court to determine the relief requested in an annexed
petition.

nunc pro tunc: (now for then) presently considered as if occurring

at an earlier date; effective retroactively

oath: a swearing to the truth of a statement which, if made by one

who knows it to be false, may subject one to a prosecution for
perjury or other legal proceedings

opening statement: the first address of counsel prior to offering of

evidence

oral proof: evidence given by word of mouth; the oral testimony of

a witness

order: an oral or written direction of a court or judge

palimony: term has meaning similar to `alimony' except that

award, settlement or agreement arises out of non-marital
relationship of parties (i.e., non-marital partners)

parcel: a tract or a plot of land

part: a court room where specified business of a court is to be

conducted by a judicial officer

party: Person having a direct interest in a legal matter, transaction

or proceeding.

peremptory challenge: the challenge which may be used to

reject a certain number of prospective jurors without assigning any
reason

perjury: the act of lying or stating falsely under oath

petition: a formal written request to a court, which initiates a

special proceeding

petitioner: In a special proceeding, one who commences a formal

written application, requesting some action or relief, addressed to
a court for determination. Also known as a plaintiff in a civil action

petit jury: the ordinary jury for the trial of a civil case (so called to
distinguish it from the grand jury)

plaintiff: the party bringing a civil action

pleadings: complaint or petition, answer, and reply

polling the jury: a practice whereby the jurors are asked

individually whether they assented, and still assent, to the verdict

power of attorney: instrument authorizing one to act legally for

another either generally or in a specified matter

precedent: previously adjudged action or decision on same or

similar point, serving as a rule or example for present guidance

proceeding: the succession of events constituting the process by

which judicial action is invoked and utilized pursuant to procedure

preclude: To prevent or stop

process: a legal means, such as a summons, used to subject a

defendant in a lawsuit to the jurisdiction of the court; broadly,
refers to all writs issued in the course of a legal proceeding

pro se: for oneself; in one's own behalf; in person; a pro se party
is one who, without representation, acts as his/her own attorney

purge: To atone for an offense, to submit to a court's mandate

(i.e., to purge oneself of contempt of court)

recuse: To disqualify oneself as a judge

redact: to edit, revise

referee: a person to whom a cause pending in a court is referred

by the court to take testimony, hear the parties, and report thereon
to the court, or to make a judicial determination - the referee is an
officer exercising judicial powers and is an arm of the court for a
specific purpose

relief: Legal remedy

remand: to send a case back from an appellate court to the lower

court from which it came, for further proceedings

remittitur: legal process by which an appellate court transmits to

the court below the proceedings before it, together with its
decision, for such further action and entry of judgment as is
required by the decision of the appellate court

replevin: an action brought for the owner of items to recover

possession of those items when those items were wrongfully taken
or are being wrongfully kept

reply: a plaintiff's response to a defendant's answer when the

answer contains a counterclaim

res: Subject matter

res judicata: a thing judicially acted upon or decided

respondent: One who formally answers the allegations stated in a

petition which has been filed with the court. Also known as a
defendant in a civil action

restore/ reinstate to calendar: to reinstate the action to active

inventory

sanction: a penalty or punishment provided as a means of

enforcing obedience to a law, rule or code; also, an authorization

satisfaction: Discharge of a legal obligation, as in a "Satisfaction

of Judgment."

seal: to close a case file from public scrutiny - in instances of

youthful offenders and acquittal, sealing orders are issued by the
court to prevent the public from obtaining information on the cases

security for costs: An undertaking required by a court to cover

the payment of costs if the judgment is against the depositor.

separation: in matrimonial law, a cessation of cohabitation of

husband and wife by mutual agreement, or in the case of "judicial
separation," under the decree of a court

sequester: to separate, set apart, hold aside for safekeeping or

awaiting some determination; jurors are sequestered when not
permitted to return home until the case is closed

service: the exhibition or delivery of a writ, notice, etc., officially

notifying a person of some action or proceeding in which that
person is concerned

short form order: an order prepared by the court

show cause: an order, decree, execution, etc., to appear as

directed, and present to the court such reasons and considerations
as one has to offer why it should not be confirmed, take effect, be
executed, or as the case may be

sine die: Without a date, as in an action being adjourned sine die.

Legal process which commands a witness to appear and testify.

small claims assessment review (SCAR): filing by any person

aggrieved by an assessment of a one, two or three family, owner
occupied residential structure used for residential purposes
(including condominiums) (NYS)

special master: a special master is an attorney appointed on an

ad hoc basis to assist the court in hearing motions (NYS)

special proceedings: general term for remedies or proceedings

which are not ordinary actions, e.g., condemnation

special referee (or referee): the special referee has the authority
to exercise judicial functions when assigned duties by the court to
determine the following (1) to determine an issue (binding) (2) to
perform an act (disclosure) (3) to hear and report - matrimonial
actions may be included (NYS)

special term: a court part set aside to hear specific types of cases

special verdict: a special finding of the facts of a case by a jury

leaving to the court the application of the law to the facts thus
found

statute of limitations: a statute that declares that no actions of a

specified kind be commenced after a specified period of time after
the cause of action arose

stay: a stopping or suspension of procedure or execution by

judicial or executive order

stipulation: an agreement by attorneys on opposite sides of a

case as to any matter pertaining to the proceedings or trial - most
stipulations must be in writing

stpulation of settlement: A formal agreement between litigants

and/or their attorneys resolving their dispute.

sua sponte: upon its own motion, initiation or will; without a prior
request
subpoena: Legal process which commands a witness to appear
and testify.

subpoena duces tecum: a subpoena requiring a person to

produce specified documents or records in a trial

subpoena (judicial): an order issued by the court to a person to

attend court and give testimony

subpoena duces tecum (judicial): an order issued by the court

requiring a person to produce specified documents or records in a
trial

subsequent proceedings: Any proceeding or action taken with

respect to a specific case after it has been filed with the court.

suit: A legal action or proceeding.

sum certain: Liquidated damages pursuant to contract,

promissory note, law, etc.

summary judgment: a determination in an action on the grounds

that there is no genuine issue of fact

summons: A form used to commence a civil action and acquire

jurisdiction over a party

supplementary proceedings: further inquiry, under court

jurisdiction, after entry of judgment, to determine means for
enforcing the judgment against judgment debtor

surety: One who is legally liable for the debt, default, or failure to
carry out a duty of another.

third-party action: A claim asserted by a defendant, styled a

third-party plaintiff, against a person, styled a third-party
defendant.

trial assignment part (TAP): that part of the court which assigns
cases for trial (NYS)

testimony: an oral declaration made by a witness or party under

oath

tort: an injury or wrong committed, either with or without force, and

either intentionally or negligently, to the person or property of
another

transcript: the official record of proceedings in a trial or hearing

transfer: the removal of a cause from the jurisdiction of one court

or judge to another by lawful authority

trial: the formal examination of a legal controversy in court so as

to determine the issue

trial de novo: A new trial (see: 22NYCRR 28.12).

undertaking: Deposit of a sum of money or filing of a bond in

court.

vacate: to set aside a previous action

venire: technically, a writ summoning persons to court to act as

jurors; popularly used as meaning the body of names thus
summoned

venue:1. Geographical place where some legal matter occurs or

may be determined. 2. The geographical area within which a court
has jurisdiction. It relates only to a place or territory within which
either party may require a case to be tried. A defect in venue may
be waived by the parties.
verdict: the determination of a jury on the facts

verification: confirmation of the correctness, truth or authenticity

of pleading, account or other paper by an affidavit or oath

voir dire: a questioning of prospective jurors by the attorneys,

and, on application of any party, by the judge, to see if any of them
should be disqualified or removed by challenge or examination

waiver: an intentional and voluntary relinquishment of some

known right

warrant: a written order directing the arrest of a person issued by

an authority - warrants are "issued," "executed" or "canceled"

with prejudice: the term, as applied to judgment of dismissal, is

as conclusive of rights of parties as if action had been prosecuted
to final adjudication adverse to the plaintiff

without prejudice: a dismissal "without prejudice" allows a new

suit to be brought on the same cause of action

witness: one who testifies to what he/she has seen, heard, or

otherwise observed

writ: an order issuing from a court of justice and requiring the

performance of a specified act, or giving authority and commission
to have it done

Postmortem changes that cause a body

Algor mortis
to lose heat.
The medical dissection and examination
Autopsy of a body in order to determine the
cause of death.
Expert Witness An individual whom the court
determines to possess knowledge
 relevant to the trial that is not expected
of the average layperson.
The medical condition that occurs after
death and results in the settling of blood
Livor Mortis
in areas of the body closest to the
ground.
Whenever two objects come into contact
Locard's Exchange Principle with one another, there is exchange of
materials between them.
The medical condition that occurs after
death and results in the stiffening of
Rigor Mortis muscle mass. The rigidity of the body
gradually disappears 24 hours after
death.
A swab of the inner portion of the cheek;
cheek cells are usually collected to
Buccal swab
determine the DNA profile of an
individual.
A list of all people who came into
Chain of custody
possession of an item of evidence.
A precise rendering of the crime scene,
Finished sketch
usually drawn to scale.
Any object that can establish that a
Physical evidence crime has been committed or can link a
crime and its victim or its perpetrator.
A draft representation of all essential
information and measurements at a
Rough sketch
crime scene. This sketch is drawn at the
crime scene.
Physical evidence whose origin is
known, such as blood or hair from a
Standard/reference sample
suspect, that can be compared to crime-
scene evidence.
Uncontaminated surface material close
to an area where physical evidence has
been deposited. This sample is to be
used to ensure that the surface on which
Substrate control a sample has been deposited does not
interfere with laboratory tests. Class
characteristics: Properties of evidence
that can be associated only with a group
and never with a single source.
The process of ascertaining whether two
Comparison
or more objects have a common origin.
Identification The process of determining a
 substance's physical or chemical
identity. Drug analysis, species
determination, and explosive residue
analysis are typical examples of this
undertaking in a forensic setting.
Properties of evidence that can be
Individual characteristics attributed to a common source with an
extremely high degree of certainty.
Multiplying together the frequencies of
independently occurring genetic markers
Product rule
to obtain an overall frequency of
occurrence for a genetic profile.
The method used to support a likely
sequence of events by observing and
Reconstruction evaluating physical evidence and
statements made by those involved with
the incident.

Ballistics
The study of projectiles (bullets) in motion.
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Ballistic Coefficient (BC)

A number which represents a bullets ability to overcome air resistance. These values
are It is normally expressed in decimal form as .500 which really means that this bullet
is half as efficient as the model bullet. For practical purposes, the higher the number the
more efficient the bullet.
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Bench Rest
A solid table or bench used to support a firearm, thus mimizing human error. Also a
popular competitive shooting sport.
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Bullet
The projectile fired from a firearm, not the whole cartidge.
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Bullet Path
The location of the bullet above or below the line of sight.
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Bullet Stability
The tendency of a bullet to maintatin a stable attitude in flight rather than tumbling.
Determined by the spin produced by the rifling, the mass and aerodynamics of the
bullet.
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Caliber
The diameter of a bullet, usually expressed in fractions of an inch or millimeters.
Frequently used to describe to a particular cartridge.
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Cartridge
A complete unit of ammunition consisting of case, powder, primer, and bullet.
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Chronograph
An ellectronic device used to measure the velocity of a bullet in flight.
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Diameter
The width of circle.
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Drag
The retarding force on a bullet caused by air resistance.
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Drag Function
A mathematical representation of how the drag characteristics of a standard bullet vary
with velocity. The one most commonly used in PC ballistic software is the G1.
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Drift
Deviation from a projectiles path of flight caused by it's rotation or spin. Also, commonly
applied to the effects of the wind.
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Drop, Bullet
The distance a bullet falls due to the force of gravity, measured or calculated from the
line of departure.
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Elevation
The vertical ajustment of the sight to move the tajectory of the bullet to the desired point
of impact.
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Energy
The capactity to do work or transfer force.
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Foot Pound
A unit of kinetic energy defined as the effort required to raise 1 pound 1 foot against the
force of gravity.
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Form Factor
A multiplier which relates the shape of a bullet to the shape of a standard bullet. Used
by some ballistics software to approximate the BC of a bullet based on shape.
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fps
Feet per Second, commonly used measure of velocity.
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Group
A term frequently used to describe the distribution of bullets on a target fired with a
common point of aim and sight adjustment. Group size is expressed as the distance
between the centers of the most widely spaced holes and is most easily determined
measuring to the outsides of the hole and subtracting one bullet diameter.
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Height of Trajectory
The highest point on the trajectory of a bullets flight.
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Holdover
The distance a shooter must aim high to obtain the desired point of impact when the
sight is adjusted for a lesser range.
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Hydrostatic Shock
A pressure wave created by a bullet passing through animal tissue with high water
content.
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Keyhole
The imprint of a bullet on a target indicating that the bullet was not travelling point on at
impact. Indicates instability, varies from a slight oval to a full length bullet shape.
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Kinetic Energy
The energy of a bullet in flight. Numerically equal to half the mass of the bullet multiplied
by the velocity sqaured.
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Line of Departure
An imaginary line extending from the centerline of the bore.
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Line of Sight
A straight line throught the sights to the point of impact.
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Mass
The quantity of matter in an object, in simple terms the weight of an object. Actually
equal to the weight divided by the acceleration due to gravity.
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Meter
Fundamental unit of distance oin the metric system. Equal to 39.37 inches.
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Mid-range Trajectory
The point in the trajectory halfway between the muzzle and the point of aim.
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Minute of Angle (MOA)

Unit of measurement equal to 1/60 of a degree. Usually approximated as 1" per 100
yards, actually 1.047 per 100 yards.
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Muzzle
The front or business end of the barrel.
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Muzzle Energy
The foot pounds of kinetic energy a bullet has at the muzzle of a firearm.
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Point Blank Range

The point blank range the distance a hunter can hold directly on the desired point of
impact and expect to hit with in the vital zone of an animal.
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Point of Aim
That point with which the sights are aligned.
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Point of Impact
That point which the bullet strikes.
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Projectile
An object in motion. In our case, a bullet in flight.
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Range
Horizontal distance to the target.
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Recoil
The kinetic energy generated in the firearm by the acceleration of the bullet. A measure
of how hard a gun "kicks".
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Retained Energy
The remaining engery of a bullet, measured in foot pounds, at a given range from the
muzzle.
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Sectional Density
The ratio of a bullets weight in pounds to the square of its diameter in inches.
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Sight Height
The distance between the line of sight and the centerline of bore. Typically, 1.5" for a
scope and .9" for open sights.
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Standard Conditions
The set of atmospheric conditions, at a single altitude, used in ballistic calculations.
(Sea Level, Temperature = 59F, Barometric pressure = 29.5275 in Hg, Relative
Humidity = 78%.)
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Time of Flight
The time it takes a projectile to cover a given distance.
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Trajectory
The path of a bullet in flight.
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Twist
The rate of spiral of the rifling grooves in a barrel, expessed as revolution per inches.
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Velocity
The speed of a projectile, usually expressed in fps.
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Wind Deflection
The lateral change in the path of a bullet due to crosswind effects. (See Drift)
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Windage
The amount of sight correction applied to compensate for wind deflection.
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Zero
The sight settings for which the point of aim and the point of impact coincide at a given
range.
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Zero Range
The range where the bullet path crosses the line of sight. Actually there are normally
two zero ranges, one near the muzzle going up, the second coming back down. This
second one is what is commonly referred to as zero range.
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)
 
American Polygraph Association (2012)
 

acquaintance test

Generic term for stimulation test. The acquaintance test serves several purposes: to
familiarize the examinee with the test procedures; to properly set the gains and
centerings; to help detect countermeasures; and to assess the range of responsiveness
of the examinee.

analog instrument

Device that records data in a continuous form. An analog polygraph registers

waveforms as continuous lines on a strip chart, whereas a digital instrument records
them as discrete points. While many analog instruments are currently in use, the trend
has been toward computerized instrumentation.
Axciton

An American manufactured computer polygraph, developed and marketed by Bruce

White of Houston, Texas.

blind chart analysis

Evaluation of PDD recordings without the benefit of extrapolygraphic information, such

as subject behavior, case facts, pretest admissions, base rates of deception, etc.
Studies employ various degrees of “blindness.” It is a popular research approach to
gauge interrater reliability. Assessments of the accuracy of PDD test evaluation
techniques also use blind chart analysis.

Benussi, Vittorio

One of the first researchers to examine respiration tracings for detecting deceptions.
Though Italian, Benussi did most of his work in Austria at the University of Graz. See:
Benussi (1914).

cardiograph

General term for any recording of heart activity. In PDD the use of a blood pressure cuff
to monitor relative arterial blood pressure changes and pulse wave is more precisely
described as sphygmography (recording of the arterial pulse) or occlusion
plethysmography (partial blockage of circulation to measure volume changes in a body
part). While cardiograph is not incorrect in this context, it lacks precision in denoting the
actual phenomenon being recorded in PDD. The term cardiograph in the
psychophysiological and medical literature most often refers to the electrocardiograph.

community safety examinations

A broad category of examinations that serve to detect and deter illegal behaviors that
jeopardize the safety of communities. Types of community safety examinations include
Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT), Intoxicated Drivers on Probation
(IDOP), and Domestic Violence Offender Testing (DVOT).

Concealed Information Test (CIT)

Otherwise known as the Guilty Knowledge Test. The CIT is actually a series of tests,
perhaps as many as 10, in which there is only one critical item in each series, much like
the better-known Peak of Tension tests. The tests are constructed so that the order of
the item presentations is randomly selected, except the first item which is used as a
buffer. The theoretical operating mechanism of the CIT is there is greater signal value in
the critical item for guilty examinees than in the irrelevant items. The CIT is believed to
rely on cognitive processes, and is therefore not subject to false positives from nervous
examinees. CIT tests could be used in a small proportion of all criminal cases where
sufficient details were available to construct it, however in most crimes such details are
lacking or would be already known to innocent persons via the media or investigating
officers. Despite assertions of theoretical superiority of the CIT over the CQT, the CIT
has practical limitations that have hindered its broad acceptance among field
practitioners. Moreover, the preponderance of independent research suggests that false
negatives may be a problem with the CIT. See Lykken (1959); MacLaren (2001);
Podlesny (1993).

confirmatory testing

PDD examination used to verify the statements of suspects, witnesses, and victims.

Deception Indicated (DI)

Along with NDI (No Deception Indicated) and Inconclusive, a conventional term for a
polygraph outcome. A decision of DI in PDD means that (1) the physiological data are
stable and interpretable, and (2) the evaluation criteria used by the examiner led him to
conclude that the examinee is not wholly truthful to the relevant issue under
investigation. The DI and NDI decision options are used primarily in single-issue testing,
and they correspond with SR (Significant Response) or SPR (Significant Physiological
Responses) and NSR (No Significant Response) or NSPR (No Significant Physiological
Responses) in multiple-issue, or screening, examinations with the US Government.

electrodermal activity (EDA)

All exosomatic and endosomatic changes in the electrical properties of the skin. See:
Handler et al. (2010).

electrodermal response (EDR)

Reaction of skin measured by changes in its electrical properties, including skin

resistance (SR), skin conductance (SC), and skin potential (SP).  See: Handler et al.
(2010).

false negative

The failure to detect the presence of a particular event or item. A false negative in PDD
refers to the incorrect decision that deception was not practiced by the examinee. Also
called a Type-2 error.

false positive

The false detection of something that is not actually present. In PDD, it is the incorrect
decision that deception was practiced by the examinee. Also called a Type-1 error.

“friendly polygrapher” hypothesis

A hypothesis proposed by Martin Orne that a deceptive examinee would not be as
detectible by an examiner who conducts a polygraph examination on behalf of the
examinee’s attorney because the examinee has no fear of adverse consequences.
There are no studies supporting this hypothesis with the CQT, and all field studies that
have investigated it have failed to find the effect. See: Honts (1997); Ishida & Sevilla
(1981); Matte & Reuss (1990); Orne (1973); Raskin (1976).

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)

A superseded term for the electrodermal response measured exosomatically by the

change in the electrical resistance of skin. GSR is sometimes erroneously called
Galvanic Skin Resistance or Galvanic Skin Reflex. The modern term is electrodermal
response (EDR).

guilt complex reactor

Hypothetical personality trait that causes innocent examinees to physiologically respond

to any question that they consider accusatory. Guilt complex questions have been used
in many of the contemporary formats at one time or another in an attempt to identify
those examinees who would produce a false positive outcome because of this
tendency. No empirical support exists for the existence of guilt complex examinees nor
for the benefit of using a test question aimed at identifying them.

inconclusive

PDD outcome where testing was completed, but neither deception nor truthfulness can
be diagnosed because the physiological data are inconsistent, inadequate, artifacted, or
contaminated. There is disagreement whether an inconclusive outcome should be
considered an error when computing validity of PDD. Some argue that examinees are
either truthful or deceptive, but never inconclusive; therefore, such an outcome is
necessarily in error. Conversely, in the forensic sciences it has been asserted that the
inconclusive outcome is used to assess utility, but not validity, because samples in
forensic disciplines are often inadequate, or contaminated. For example, fingerprint data
is more frequently inadequate than adequate, though fingerprint analysis is considered
highly accurate in spite of the relatively modest percentage of cases that it can render a
positive identification. Because of this controversy, PDD validity studies report
accuracies both with and without inconclusive results and should report inconclusive
rates for each category of test subject. In practice, inconclusive outcomes are the
default results when the criteria for deception or not-deception decisions are not
satisfied and are a matter of the decision thresholds employed. Alternate term is
indefinite, or no opinion.

irrelevant question

A question designed to be emotionally neutral to examinees. Irrelevant questions are

most often placed in the first position of a question list because an orienting response
usually follows the presentation of the first question and is of no diagnostic value. In
CQT formats it is also used after a relevant or comparison question that has elicited a
strong response so as to permit physiologic arousal levels to return to baseline before
presenting another question. Irrelevant questions are used in nearly every type of PDD
test. Also called norms or neutrals.

Karpman’s classification of lying

Classification of lies and their underlying motives. They are benign lies (for social
conventions), hysterical lies (to attract attention), defensive lies (to avoid an adverse
situation), compensatory lies (to impress another), malicious lies (for gain), gossip
(exaggeration), implied lies (deceive with partial truths), “love intoxication” lies (idealistic
exaggeration), and pathological lies (self-destructive or maladaptive). See: Karpman
(1949).

Keeler, Leonarde

Student of John Larson and influential PDD pioneer. Among Keeler’s accomplishments
are: the addition of the electrodermal channel to the polygraph, establishing the first
PDD school, devising the Keeler Technique, and popularizing the polygraph field.

Lafayette Instrument Company

An American manufacturer of polygraphs, both analog and computerized, founded by

Max Wastl. Headquarters is located in Lafayette, Indiana.

Limestone Technologies

A Canadian manufacturer of computerized polygraph instruments. Headquartered in

Odessa, Ontario, Canada.

Lombroso, Cesare

Italian physician biologist who first employed instrumentation in an effort to detect

deception in suspects in live criminal investigations. He reported in 1885 in the second
edition of his book, L’Homme Criminel the use of the “hydrosphygmograph,” a
mechanical arrangement invented for medical purposes, to detect blood pressure
changes during interrogation. One of his students, Angelo Mosso, also went on to
perform instrumental deception detection experiments.

Marston, William

Psychologist, inventor of the discontinuous blood pressure method deception test, and
author of the 1938 book The Lie Detector Test. Marston was the first to attempt to have
instrumental deception test evidence entered into evidence in court, for which resulted
the Frye decision of 1923. Marston’s test entailed the use of a conventional blood
pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer with which he manually plotted the examinees
blood pressure during questioning at several points during the interview. He taught his
technique to the U.S. Army, and he used his method to resolve espionage cases during
World War I. Marston had several interests, and he was also the co-creator of the
Wonder Woman comic book character. Both William Marston and his wife, Elizabeth,
were lawyers and worked together to perform deception testing.

Munsterberg, Hugo

Chairman of the Psychology Department at Harvard who, in his 1908 book On the
Witness Stand, suggested the possibility of devising deception tests using blood
pressure, respiration, and electrodermal activity. In his book Munsterberg also
described the Concealed Information Test. He had as a student William Marston, who
later went on to develop the discontinuous blood pressure method deception test.

No Deception Indicated (NDI)

In conventional PDD, NDI signifies that (1) the polygraph test recordings are stable and
interpretable and (2) the evaluation criteria used by the examiner led him to conclude
that the examinee was truthful to the relevant issue. The NDI and DI (Deception
Indicated) decision options are used in specific-issue testing and correspond to NSPR
(No Significant Physiological Responses) and SPR (Significant Physiological
Responses) in multiple-issue, or screening, examinations.

numerical analysis

Systematic assignment of numbers to physiologic responses, along with decision rules,

so that PDD data analysis is more objective and standardized. The first such system
was published by Dr. John Winter in 1936. Contemporary numerical analytic methods
include the Rank Order Scoring System, Horizontal Scoring System, 3-position scoring
system, 7-position scoring system, Lykken Scoring. Sometimes referred to as semi-
objective analysis.

photoplethysmograph (PPG)

The PPG uses the reflection of a red light emitted into the skin to detect changes in the
volume of blood in the upper layers of skin, typically recorded at the finger when using a
polygraph. Physiological arousal is marked by a constriction in the pulse amplitude as
blood is shunted from the extremity during activation of the sympathetic nervous
system. See: Geddes (1974); Hander & Krapohl (2007); Kircher & Raskin (1988).

pneumograph

A device that records respiration, and one of the three traditional channels of the
modern polygraph used in PDD. Most contemporary polygraphs use two pneumograph
recordings: abdominal and thoracic. The types of sensors include the traditional
corrugated rubber tube, the mercury strain gauge, or the newer piezoelectric.

polygraph

By definition, an instrument that simultaneously records two or more channels of data.

The term now most commonly signifies the instrument and techniques used in the
psychophysiological detection of deception, though polygraphs are also used in
research in other sciences. In PDD the polygraph traditionally records physiologic
activity with four sensors: blood pressure cuff, electrodermal sensors, and two
respiration sensors. Some instruments also record finger pulse amplitude using a PPG.

Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT)

Specialized application of polygraphy which aids in the management of the convicted

sex offender who has been released into the community, though sometimes is
employed as part of treatment of offenders who are incarcerated. There are four
principal types of PCSOT examinations: instant offense examination, sexual
history/disclosure examination, maintenance examination and monitoring examination.
See: Dutton (2000).

Reid, John

One of the first modern PDD examiners, Reid developed many techniques still in use
today. Reid is credited with bringing the probable-lie comparison question into common
practice in the field. He also developed the Reid Technique, which includes the Yes
Test and the Guilt Complex Test. Reid helped bring about the first state licensure for
PDD practitioners in Illinois in 1963. Reid instructed hundreds of students at his school
and offered the first accredited Masters program in PDD. The Reid Technique, which
emphasizes global evaluation, is used by some PDD examiners today.

Stoelting Instruments

C.H. Stoelting of Chicago, Illinois. An American manufacturer of analog and computer

polygraphs.

technique

All practices taking place in a polygraph examination, including pretest procedures,

question formulation, format, number of tests, test sequencing, and scoring and
decision rules.

test data analysis (TDA)

Newer expression for polygraph chart interpretation, a change prompted by digital
polygraphs where physiological data are displayed on computer screens rather than
paper strip charts.

true negative

Correct decision that the variable of interest is not present (i.e., an accurate PDD
outcome of innocence).

true positive

Correct decision that the variable of interest is present (i.e., an accurate PDD outcome
of guilt).

United States v Frye

James Alphonzo Frye was administered a deception test by Dr. William M. Marston in
1923 using Marston’s discontinuous blood pressure method. Marston’s opinion was that
Frye was truthful in his recanting of a murder confession for the killing of a prominent
Washington, DC, doctor. At Frye’s trial his defense attorneys attempted to have the
results entered into evidence, but were unsuccessful (United States v Frye 54 App
D.C.46, 293 F 1013). The Frye Rule, as it came to be known, stated that “expert
testimony based on a scientific technique is inadmissible unless the technique is
generally accepted as reliable in the relevant scientific community.” The Frye Rule was
invoked thereafter in many jurisdictions to bar PDD evidence from admissibility. The
Frye Rule has been superseded by Federal Rule 702, cited in Daubert v Merrell Dow
Pharmaceuticals, Inc (1993), except in those states that do not follow the Federal Rules
of Evidence. See: Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc (1993): Stern & Krapohl
(2003).

voice stress analysis

Any analytical technique implemented to determine whether changes in the vocal signal
are indicative of changing levels of stress. Most techniques assess the frequency or
amplitude modulation of the vocal signal in one or more frequency bandwidths.
Emphasis is often placed on modulation in the 8-10 Hz frequency bandwidth, otherwise
known as microtremors. Numerous voice stress analysis devices have been introduced
since the first was made available in 1971. All purport the ability to detect deception.
Today, this genre of credibility assessment devices enjoys a wide distribution, possibly
due to their low cost and brief training requirements relative to the polygraph. However,
no independent scientific assessment has validated the use of voice stress analysis for
credibility assessment. Because of this, these devices are prohibited from use by the
US Department of Defense. Brand names include Computer Voice Stress Analyzer
(CVSA), Lantern, Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE), TiPi, VSA Mark, Vericator, and
Layered Voice Analysis (LVA).
 FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION - the sorting of fingerprints into file groups so that a
file may be set
upon  the basis of fingerprints alone.  Fingerprints are classified by General shape
(arch, loop, or
whorl), position in finger, and relative size.

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS (GALTON'S DETAILS) - Fingerprint ridges are not

continuous.  They  
break and divide and these points are given specific names;  
(1) Ridge Ending,
(2) Bifurcation (forking ridge),
(3) Dot,
(4) Short Ridge,
(5) Enclosure (Island)
*An average rolled inked finger print may contain 125 ridge characteristics.  

INKED FINGERPRINT -  The intentional recording of the friction ridge skin. Using black
printer's ink
and a fingerprint roller, the ridge characteristics of a particular individual, can be
formally recorded
on a standard fingerprint card.

LATENT FINGERPRINT -  The chance impression, left on an item, through the transfer
of
perspiration and oils, from the friction ridge skin to the item itself. At times, this
transfer can be visible
to the naked eye. Most often, it is invisible to the eye, and chemicals or powders
need to be added to
the surface, in order for the latent print to seen, photographed, and lifted. The word
"latent" means
hidden and it is these impressions which require the application of powders of
chemicals to make
them visible.

PATENT (PLASTIC) FINGERPRINT - a reproduction of the ridges of the finger in a

medium such as
wet paint, blood, putty, and some soft metals.  The is normally visible, however, the
impression is
reversed as the ridges are impressed in the material.
SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION -
1. The ridge arrangement on every finger of every person is different.
2. The ridge arrangement is permanent throughout the persons life, that is, the ridge

 arrangement never changes from birth to death.  These statements are true also of
the
 ridges on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.  Identifications in these
areas
 have the same technical and legal validity as fingerprints.

A.F.I.S. - a computer system that automatically searches a latent fingerprint

recovered from a scene,
against millions of fingerprints contained within a fingerprint database. The criteria
for entering and
maintaining fingerprints in the database varies from state to state.

DISSIMILARITY – a difference in which, in the opinion of the examiner, can be

explained.

DISCREPANCY – a difference between two patterns, that can not be explained.

DACTYLOGRAPHY - the study of the science of fingerprints

CORE -  is the approximate center of the finger pattern impression

INDIVIDUALIZATION - the opinion matching of a latent print to one person as its

source to the
exclusion of all other people in the world.

CLASS ONE/LEVEL ONE DETAIL - the general ridge flow of a fingerprint.

CLASS TWO/LEVEL TWO DETAIL - aspects of a particular ridge path, including

bifurcations,
endings, divisions; also referred to as minutiae or Galton's details.

CLASS THREE/LEVEL THREE DETAIL- finer detail concerning individual ridges, such as
the shape
of the edges, their width, and the presence of pores.
ACE-V - an acronym for Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification.    ACE-V
describes the
recommended process or methodology for comparison of a latent print to a known
print.
Firearms Dictionary Gun Glossary Collectors Guns Encyclopedia Terms Definitions Illustrated Sporting Shotgun Rifle Shooting Terminology Lexicon Ammunition Ballistics Hunting

Abbreviations, Definitions and Opinions

by Morris L. Hallowell IV

Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting

Guns

                    If you find an error or would like to see another term added to this glossary, please
email  morris@hallowellco.com      If you find this glossary useful, Bookmark it. Contents ©
1996 - 2012 Hallowell & Co., Inc.

Acanthus Scroll - An engraving design patterned after any of a variety of plants of the genus
Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean, with large, segmented, thistle-like leaves.  Photo

ACP - Automatic Colt Pistol.   Colt's proprietary designation for a type of rimless cartridge
design, such as .45 ACP.

Action - The receiver of a gun containing the breech-locking and firing mechanism. The serially-
numbered, legal soul of a firearm. Major types are: Boxlock, Sidelock, Blitz, Falling Block and
Bolt.

ADL, BDL - Suffix designations used by Remington to signify grades of various models of bolt
action rifles. The ADL version is generally the basic model. The BDL version generally adds a
hinged floorplate, slightly better wood, checkering, contrasting forend tip and pistol grip cap.
ADL and BDL stand for A Grade DeLuxe and B Grade DeLuxe.
AE or Automatic Ejectors - fittings inset into the breech end of barrels of a break-open gun that
kick out fired shells, while only raising unfired shells enough to be removed by hand.  Photo

Alex Henry Forend - A groove at the forend tip, typical of this fine Scottish maker, (for tying a
rifle into a vehicle-mounted rack?). Adopted by the traditionalist Bill Ruger for his single shot
Model No. 1. Photo

Ampersand  "&" - A mark used by Colt to indicate a revolver having been returned to the
factory for repair or refinishing.

ANIB - As new in original box. Perhaps fired, but in virtually new condition.

Anson & Deeley Action - A type of boxlock action design developed in 1875---the essence of
simplicity utilizing only two springs and three moving parts (per barrel). One of the most
successful action designs ever, and still produced to this day by innumerable makers in many
countries. Photo

Anson Forend Release - A latch for securing the forend to the barrels of a break-open gun,
operated, via a longitudinal rod, by a pushbutton exposed at the very tip of the forend. Typically
seen on Purdey and Boss guns.  Photo

Antique Firearm - Defined according to Section 921 (a) (16), Title 18, U.S.C. as:

A. any firearm (including any firearm with matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type
of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and

B. any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica (i) is not designed or
redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or (ii) uses rimfire or
conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States
and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

Aperture Sight - See  Peep Sight

APUN - Action Patent Use Number. Under patent law during the period of greatest creativity in
the British firearms trade (circa 1860 - 1910) gunmakers typically numbered each patented
component with its own number of use of the patent (not the number of the patent itself as
registered with  the patent office as in the USA)---irrespective of the serial number of the
firearm.  Photo

Arcaded Fences- Fences on a side-by-side gun decorated with a series of engraved crescents. A
particular signature of James Woodward guns.  Photo

Arrowheads - A signature stock-carving detail of Robert G Owen, renown English-born

American stockmaker, active 1920s - 1950s.  Photo
Articulated Front Trigger - A hinged front trigger, built to cushion its impact on one's trigger
finger as the gun recoils when the rear trigger is pulled.  Photo

Automatic [Action] - A type of firearm which, utilizing some of the recoil or some of the
expanding-gas energy from the firing cartridge, cycles the action to eject the spent shell, to
chamber a fresh one from a magazine, to cock the mainspring and to fire again. Such a firearm
will fire continuously as long as the trigger is held back, until the magazine is empty. A machine
gun.   

A firearm activated as above, but which shoots only one bullet with each separate pull of the
trigger, while often erroneously referred to as "automatic" is more properly termed Semi-
Automatic.

Automatic Safety - A safety catch on a break-open gun that resets to the "safe" position each
time the gun is opened, usually via a limb attached to the toplever spindle.

%blue - Bluing is a thin surface coloring, induced either by heat or by polishing and the repeated
application of an acid solution to form a type of blue-black rust. Bluing reduces the reflectivity
of polished steel parts and helps inhibit further rust. The percentage of original blue finish
remaining is a quick indicator of the condition of a gun. In our condition descriptions, 98%blue
means raw steel is showing through 2% of the overall blued surface. We try to describe the
percentage of finish neither optimistically nor conservatively but exactly as it is.

B.Blindée - A Belgian proofmark. It indicates a rifle barrel suitable for use with jacketed bullets.

Back Action - A sidelock action where the mainspring is mounted rearward towards the butt.
The back action is often used in double rifles where the need for strength requires as little steel as
possible be removed from the bar of the action. Photo

Backboring - Enlarging the internal diameter of a shotgun barrel beyond its proper standard
(.729" in 12 gauge) by reaming, in an effort to reduce the recoil or to improve the shot pattern.
Backboring removes steel and therefore strength from the barrels---possibly making them unsafe.
While there is no proof law in the USA, in England, to ream out the bore of a shotgun by more
than 8 thousandths of an inch would render it out of proof and illegal to sell.

Backstrap - Rear, metal, part of a handgun---which together with the frontstrap, provides a
mounting frame for the grips.  Photo

Baker Ejectors - A type of mechanism, built into the forend of a break-open firearm, utilizing a
direct-acting coil spring to kick out a spent shell while only raising an unfired shell far enough to
remove manually. Photo

Ballistics - The study of the action of propellant powders upon projectiles, their speeds, energies
and trajectories. Ballistics can be categorized into three phases: Interior (the projectile's behavior
inside the bore), Exterior (the projectile's behavior in flight), and Terminal (the projectile's
behavior upon contact with the target).
Bar - The portion of a break-open gun's action extending forward from the bottom of the
standing breech, supporting the hingepin. In modern side-by-side guns, it is usually machined to
accept the cocking limbs and the main locking bolts as well.  Photo

Bar Action - A sidelock action where the mainspring is mounted forward into the bar of the
action. Often more graceful in appearance than the back action and theoretically allowing faster
lock times.  Photo

Bar-In-Wood - A style of gun configuration, aesthetically vestigial to muzzle loaders, where the
hinge-pin and the knuckle of the action is housed as far as possible in wood.  Photo

Barrel Band - A steel band encircling the barrel and forestock of a rifle or musket, helping to
secure the barrel to the stock. Almost universal on US military firearms from the Revolution
through World War II. Inherent to the definition of Carbine, in Winchester terminology.  Photo

Barrel Band Front Sight; Barrel Band Swivel Base - A front sight base completely encircling
a rifle barrel at the muzzle; a loop completely encircling the barrel of a rifle into which a
provision for a sling swivel is integrally machined. Both details are in the interest of a more
positive and reliable joint than a simple soldered attachment. Photo

Barrel Length - The length of a barrel as measured from the muzzle to the standing breech in a
break-open gun or to the bolt face in a bolt-action rifle, including the chamber. A revolver barrel
measurement does not include the cylinder, only the barrel itself.

Barrel Wall Thickness - The thickness of the walls of a shotgun barrel tube.

It is reasonable to assume that guns built by responsible manufacturers are safe to shoot, when
new, with the loads for which they were intended. As the decades go by, however, as barrels are
drawfiled or buffed for rebluing and as occasional pits are honed out of the bores, steel is
gradually removed from the barrels. The barrel walls, already built thin for lightness, become
thinner still. At some point they become too thin for safety. It is important to know the minimum
barrel wall thickness of an old, well-used shotgun before shooting it. While no substitute for an
actual proof test, a useful rule of thumb states that the minimum barrel wall thickness should be .
020" in a 12 gauge gun. Barrel Wall Thickness Gauge Photo

bbls - Barrels

Beaded cheekpiece - A raised-carved cheek rest on the side of a buttstock, specifically with the
extra detail of a shadow line around its perimeter where it blends into the buttstock proper. Photo

Beech Combination Sight - A type of front sight, hinged, to show either an ordinary bead or a
very fine bead necessarily encircled by a protective ring.   Photo

Bend - British term for Drop.

Bent - A notch in a hammer or firing-pin housing. The sear rests in this notch when the firearm
is cocked. When the trigger is pulled, the sear moves out of the bent, allowing the firing-pin to
fall under the tension of the mainspring and fire the gun.

Berdan - Normally a cartridge case having a primer pocket with two, off-center touchholes and
an integral anvil built into the center. Commonly used in Europe. Theoretically provides more
reliable ignition than Boxer primers by better distribution of the flash. Berdan primers be pierced
from the outside and pried out to remove for reloading.

Best Gun - A pompous English term for a gun that must have several specific details. To qualify
for the title, it must have a Sidelock action with Intercepting Sears, have Chopper Lump Barrels,
be Stocked to the Fences and have its lumps concealed by its floorplate. While almost any
respectable gunmaker can accomplish these requirements, the implication, of course, is that it is
also built to the highest standard of quality.

Bifurcated Lumps - A locking system for over & under guns whereby the barrels are mounted
to the receiver via trunnions on either side of the lower barrel and where a pair of bolts move
forward into recesses on either side of the barrel-set when the gun is closed. This system makes it
possible to build an over & under gun with a sleeker, lower profile than possible when mounting
the lumps, hook, and locking bites to the underside of the bottom barrel. Boss and Woodward
over&under guns are built with bifurcated lumps. Browning and Merkel over&under guns are
built with traditional lumps under the bottom barrel.  Photo

Bissell Rising Bite - A lockup design for break-open guns, usually serving as a third fastener to
strengthen the lockup of a gun with double Purdey underbolts. Designed by J Rigby and T
Bissell, patent number 1141 of 1879. A loop-shaped rearward extension of the rib, drops into a
mating female recess in the top of the standing breech, surrounds a fixed central buttress and is
secured by a rising post at the rear. Often seen on Rigby double rifles of the period circa 1880 -
1920; after which even Rigby discontinued it in favor of the Doll's Head, because it was
exceedingly expensive to built. A marvelous feat of gunmaking.   Photo

Black Powder- The first successful propellant harnessed for use in firearms. Composed,
generally of 3 parts potassium nitrate, 2 parts powdered charcoal and 1 part sulphur. Black
powder explodes---expending its energy in an instant of time, produces volumes of vision-
impairing smoke, its residue promotes rust in gun bores and it is unpredictably dangerous to
handle. Black powder was replaced in the marketplace by nitro-glycerin-based powders around
the turn of the last century because they burned more slowly (maintaining pressure on the
projectile longer during its travel through the bore, allowing higher velocities), did not blind
shooters with the smoke, did not promote rust in bores and was much safer to store and to
handle. For these reasons, it is dangerous to shoot modern nitro powders in vintage guns (such as
those with barrels of damascus steel) originally designed for Black Powder.

Blind Magazine - A rifle magazine without a floorplate. Must be loaded from the top only.
While less convenient to unload, it allows for slightly cleaner lines and slightly lighter weight.
Photo
Blitz Action - A design where the moving parts of a break-open gun's action are mounted to the
trigger plate. Similar in construction to a Dickson Round Action. Often seen on German and
Austrian guns. Identified externally by a broader-than-usual trigger plate. Photo

Blue - A chemical rust process that produces a very dark, almost black, blue finish to the steel
parts of a firearm which enhances the appearance and provides some protection from unwanted
rust. Sometimes it can have a slight brownish undertone. The percentage of blue finish remaining
on a gun can be a proxy for describing its condition.

Blunderbuss - A short firearm with a barrel of expanding diameter and a bell-shaped muzzle.
Enjoyed some popularity in the 18th century. It was supposed to fire a charge of shot with a
widely dispersed pattern, suitable for stagecoach defense or boarding an enemy ship. But, the
theory didn't work; just because the barrel walls fell away from the body of discharging shot did
not draw the shot pattern wider.  Photo

Bockbüchsflinte - German term for an over & under combination gun with one shotgun barrel
over one rifle barrel.  Photo

Bolt Action - An action type, most frequently used on rifles, perfected by Peter Paul Mauser in
1898, whereby a cylindrical shaft, controlled by an attached lever, manually feeds a cartridge
into the chamber, turns down engaging locking lugs in recesses in the front receiver ring, allows
firing by the fall of an internal spring-loaded pin, opening, extraction, recocking and ejection
with the same lever in preparation for the next shot.  Photo

Bolstered Frame - A firearms action, most commonly on a heavily recoiling break-open

weapon, in which the action forging has been enlarged with extra steel at its weakest point---the
line extending downwards from the standing breech, at the beginning of the watertable. Also
called a reinforced frame.  Photo

Bolted Safety - A secondary catch on the safety, often seen on big-bore double rifles, designed
to prevent its inadvertent disengagement by a careless gunbearer.  Photo

Bore - See Calibre, Gauge, Table

Boxer - A cartridge case having a primer pocket with one central touchhole at the center bottom.
A tiny anvil is built into the primer to provide a surface against which the detonating compound
may be sharply pinched by the action of the firing pin. Most commonly used in the USA today. It
is simple to remove the spent Boxer primer for re-loading the shell casing with a single, central,
pin-shaped decapping punch.

Boxlock - A type of action (receiver) for a break-open gun where the lockwork is contained
within a box-shaped housing. (see also: Sidelock). A boxlock is superior to a sidelock because
although more metal needs to be removed from the action body, less wood needs be removed
from the head of the stock---and wood is generally more vulnerable than metal. The Anson &
Deeley boxlock, patented in 1875, the simplest, most reliable and most successful action design,
is identified by two pins spanning the width of the action, one at the bottom rear and one slightly
forward and higher, upon which the sears and hammers, respectively, rotate.  Photo   See also:
Sidelock

BPE - Black Powder Express

Breech - The end of a barrel into which a cartridge is inserted.

Bridle - A small secondary plate, mounted behind and parallel to a sidelock gun's lockplate
which supports the inside ends of the pins about which the moving parts rotate.  Photo

Browning - An oxidation process applied to the surface of raw steel, undertaken with acids, to
produce a finish that resists further rusting. See also Bluing.

Browning, John Moses - The world's greatest firearms inventor. Born in Ogden, Utah. While he
made some guns himself, normally, he licensed his designs to prominent manufacturers such as
Colt, Fabrique National and Winchester. While Samuel Colt and Paul Mauser achieved fame
basically as a result of one idea, John M. Browning produced dozens of the most successful
firearms designs, including the Winchester 1885, 1886, 1892, 1894 and 1895 rifles; The Colt
1903, 1908, 1911 and Woodsman pistols; the Browning Auto-5 and Superposed shotguns; as
well as the BAR, 1917 and M2 .50 calibre machine guns.  Photo

BT or Beavertail Forend -  A broad forend, wrapping partially around the barrel(s) to give a
more positive grip and to better protect the hand from hot barrels than does a splinter forend. 
Photo

Bulino Engraving - Shallow, pictorial engraving designs, often of photographic quality,

executed directly by hand onto the steel with a fine-pointed scribe called a burin, without the use
of a chasing hammer. Also called banknote engraving. Often seen on high-grade, contemporary
Italian shotguns.  Photo

Bullet - A single projectile fired from a gun, or more commonly a rifle; either loaded from the
muzzle or loaded into a cartridge which in turn is loaded into the breech of a firearm.  Photo

Burgess Mounts - An excellent quick-detachable scope mounting system, designed and built by
gunsmith Tom Burgess. Operated by turning locking levers a detented 90 degrees.  Photo

Bushed Firing Pins - Circular steel fittings, about 1/2 inch in diameter, screwed into the breech
face of a gun and through which the firing pins pass. Firing pin bushings allow the convenient
replacement of broken firing pins. They also allow the renewal of an older gun where, over the
decades, leakage of high-pressure gas from corrosive primers has eroded the breech face around
the firing pins. In British: Disk-set strikers.  Photo

Butt - The end of a gun stock; the part that rests on the shoulder when the gun is mounted.

Buttplate - A plate made of some material harder than the wood of the buttstock, fitted to the
end of same to protect it. It may be made of hardrubber, horn, plastic or steel. It may be shaped
relatively flat like a Winchester "Shotgun" butt on a rifle, like a crescent, or with all manner of
protruding appendages in the interest of achieving consistency of mounting position as in a Swiss
or scheutzen buttplate. It may be finished smooth, checkered, striated or engraved.   Photo

        Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting
Guns

Cal. or Calibre - System of measurement for the internal bore diameter of a rifled-barreled
firearm (rifle or pistol) based on the decimal part of an inch. For example, .25 calibre and .250
calibre both signify a bore size of 1/4 inch. American calibre designations refer to the distance
from land to land, not groove to groove. Ammunition companies' marketing departments
occasionally take liberties with exact measurements. For example, a .270 Winchester bullet
actually measures .277 inch in diameter.

Cannelure - A crimped or knurled groove, rolled onto a bullet or the neck of a cartridge case,
either to help retain a bullet in its case or to provide a space for bullet lubricant.

Cant - To tilt a gun to one side or the other, complicating sighting considerably. Can cause
material loss of accuracy, particularly with a rifle at longer ranges. Some better long range target
rifles are equipped with Spirit Level sights to help control canting.

Cape Gun - A two-barreled, side-by-side, shoulder-fired gun having one smoothbore shotgun
barrel and one rifled barrel.  Photo

Captive Ramrod - A rod, for loading and/or cleaning a muzzle-loading firearm (usually a pistol)
that is permanently connected to the gun by some sort of swivel, so as to be easily utilized, but
never lost.   Photo

Carbine - A general term referring to relatively short-barreled, quick-handling rifle, often

intended for use on horseback. In Winchester lever-action terminology, a carbine has a single
barrel band.  In German, a Stutzen.

Cartouche - A mark, typically stamped into the wood, especially of an American military rifle.
It shows the initials of the name of the accepting inspector and often, the date he accepted the
firearm into service.  Photo

Cartridge - In its definition valid from circa 1870 to the present:  a small usually cylindrical
packet, containing a detonating primer, a powder charge, a load---either a single projectile for a
rifle or a quantity of small pellets for a shotgun---and possibly some attendant wadding. The
cartridge is placed into the breech of a firearm, comprising all required consumables for the
firing of the weapon.  Photo

Cartridge Trap - A compartment built into the buttstock of a long gun, usually with a hinged
cover, in which are drilled holes deep enough to hold several spare cartridges of the type suitable
for use in the specific gun.  Photo
Cast Off - An offset of a gun stock to the right, so that the line of sight aligns comfortably with
the right eye while the butt of the stock rests comfortably on the right shoulder. Almost all right-
handed shooters benefit from a little castoff and most custom built guns are made this way. The
only question is how much. The castoff of a gun is about right when, with the gun comfortably
mounted, the front bead lines up with the center of the standing breech. A stock offset to the left,
for shooting from the left shoulder is said to be Cast On. See Eye Dominance.

Casehardening Colors -  mottled blue/green/brown colors on a shotgun or double rifle receiver,

vintage Winchester receiver or Colt Single Action frame. The colors are the by-product of a heat-
treating process that incorporates carbon into the surface molecular structure of the steel,
providing a hard-wearing surface without making the entire receiver brittle. The parts to be
casehardened are packed in a crucible with carbon-rich media such as bone meal and charcoal,
heated to bright orange, about 1800°F, then quenched in bubbling oil. Also called Carbonizing.
The colors themselves are fairly perishable both from wear and from sunlight. The percentage of
original case colors remaining is therefore a quick proxy for the cosmetic condition of the gun. 
Photo

Guns should never be rehardened in the vain interest of restoring the cosmetic effect of the
colors. Casehardening is a heat process which alters the surface molecular structure of the steel.
Rehardening an action can warp it. Subsequent efforts to straighten the metalwork, either by
bending or filing can only harm the fine original metal-to-metal fit and adversely alter the
workings of carefully aligned internal parts.

Castellated Fences - See Arcaded Fences

Chamber - An area at the breech end of a barrel, of about the diameter of the cartridge for which
the gun was intended, and into which the cartridge is inserted. The nominal length of a shotgun
chamber will accommodate the loaded cartridge for which it was intended and allow for its
crimp to open fully when the cartridge is fired. Although one can easily insert a longer-than-
nominal-length loaded cartridge in a shotgun chamber, it is not advisable to do so because when
it is fired the crimp will open into the forcing cone. Because of the taper of the forcing cone, the
crimp will not be able to open fully and the gun will develop far greater pressure than it was
designed to handle. Photo

While most 12 gauge shotguns built today have nominal 2 3/4" chambers, this was not always
the case. Prewar American guns and many modern English guns often have shorter chambers. It
is important to know the length of a gun's chambers and to use the ammunition for which it was
intended.

Checkering - A regular pattern of fine grooves cut into the surface of a stock to aid in gripping a
gun. Originally done for utility only, checkering has become an art form in itself; craftsmen
adorning the borders with ribbons, fleur-de-lys, floral carving, etc. The amount of coverage, the
precise regularity, and the number of lines per inch indicate the quality of the work. Too-fine
checkering, however, defeats the purpose of the work altogether.  Photo
Cheekpiece - A broad, flat, raised area on the side of a buttstock. While considered a sign of a
well-appointed gun, it actually may interfere with natural mounting and pointing---somewhat
negating the positive effect of cast-off. The cheekpiece is carved on the left side of a stock for a
right-handed shooter; it is on the right side for a left-handed shooter. Photo

Choke - A carefully measured constriction of the bore of a shotgun at the muzzle, designed to
control the spread of the shot as it leaves the barrel. Photo

Hallowell & Co.'s descriptions of choke borings are determined by measuring with a bore
micrometer, irrespective of any markings on the barrels. The internal diameter is measured four
inches from the muzzle and again just at the muzzle. Subtracting gives the amount of constriction
in thousandths of an inch.

In our descriptions of each gun, chokes are listed in the order of the normal sequence of firing. 

Measurements of muzzle constriction by micrometer are useful to predict the pattern thrown by a
shotgun barrel, but they remain merely a prediction. Patterns can vary depending on atmospheric
pressure, humidity, length of cartridge, type of wad, size of shot, and numerous other factors.
Terms such as "Improved Cylinder" and "Full" are only words, based on relative rules of thumb.
The only way to determine the actual pattern thrown by a shotgun barrel is to shoot it, by
convention at 40 yards, count the percentage of pellets falling within a 30" circle placed around
the visual center of the pattern, then do it a few more times and take an average.   Chart

Choke tubes - Short, interchangeable cylinders, of subtly different internal tapers, that screw
into a threaded recess at the muzzle of a shotgun. By inserting different choke tubes, one can
alter the shot pattern thrown by the gun. Choke tubes should be tightened until snug. Guns fitted
for choke tubes should never be fired without tubes inserted.  Photo

Chopper-lump barrels (also called Demi-bloc barrels) - A method of joining the two separate
tubes of a set of barrels where the right-hand half of the pair of lumps under the barrels are
forged integrally with the right barrel and the left-hand half of the pair of lumps under the barrels
are forged integrally with the left barrel. Chopper-lump barrels can be recognized by the fine
joint-line running longitudinally down the center of each lump. This method of jointing barrels is
the best because: 1. It is the strongest in relation to its weight, and 2. Because it allows the two
barrels to be mounted closest to each other at the breech end, reducing problems regulating the
points of aim of the two separate barrels. Photo

Claw Extractor - An essential design element of the Mauser 98 bolt action and its derivatives:
the Springfield '03 and the Winchester pre-'64 Model 70. A large, long extractor is mounted to
and revolves around the bolt shaft---or more properly, remains stationary in the receiver raceway
when the bolt revolves. This claw takes positive hold of the cartridge coming from the magazine
and places it in the chamber when the bolt is closed. Then, when the bolt is opened, the claw,
never having relinquished its grip on the rim of the cartridge, withdraws it from the chamber
with absolute reliability.
Lesser bolt actions have a small clip built into the bolt face which snaps over the chambered
cartridge rim when the bolt is closed. While cheaper to manufacture, this system allows the
possibility of the clip slipping back off the rim of the expanded spent case during extraction.
Most experienced hunters prefer an action with a Mauser-type claw extractor for its reliability,
especially when facing dangerous game.   Photo

Claw Mounts - A quick-detachable scope mounting system, popular in Germany and Austria.
The front of the scope is fitted with a hook-shaped tentacle which is inserted into a slot in a fixed
front scope base. The rear of the scope is fitted with another set of hook-shaped tentacles. When
these are pressed sharply downwards into their opposing receptacles they snap into place, held
by a spring-loaded clasp, locking the scope into position. When properly installed, claw mounts
are generally considered the best quick-detachable system for scope mounting: the cleanest
looking, the easiest to operate and the most accurate in returning to zero. But, it is not an off-the-
shelf, bolt-on system; claw mounts must be custom-fitted by a skilled gunsmith. Photo

Clip - A simple, disposable narrow spring-lined channel-rail in which cartridges are supplied for
military weapons. The shooter positions the clip vertically above the firearm's magazine, then
pressing down with the thumb, slides the cartridges from the clip and down into the magazine.
Also: Stripper Clip or Charger. See Magazine.

Cocker/De-Cocker -  A type of action on a break-open gun or rifle where, in place of a

traditional top tang safety, a somewhat more robust tab is fitted. Normally such a gun is carried
in the field loaded, but with the action not cocked---an exceedingly safe condition. Then, when
ready to fire, the shooter, instead of pushing a safety tab forward, pushes this larger tab forward,
cocking the mainspring, making the gun ready to fire. Then, if the shot is not taken, he may
simply slide this tab rearwards again, de-cocking the gun and returning it to the still-loaded, but
very safe position. Or, in German: Handspanner.  Photo

Cocking Indicators - Small devices attached to the internal hammers of a break-open gun and
visible from the exterior of the gun to show when each barrel is cocked and when it has been
fired. These are usually in the form of protruding pins on a boxlock gun or in the form of
engraved or gold inlaid lines on the tumbler pins of a sidelock gun. Photo

Coin-finish generally refers to a high-polish finish, bright steel on the receiver of a break-open
gun. Other action-body finishes could be case-hardened, blued or French-gray (a chemical-finish,
dull gray steel color). Coin-finish, when appearing typically on a modern, high grade Italian
shotgun shows off the exquisite and delicate engraving better than other finishes. The term is
sometimes used (incorrectly) by people dealing in old guns to describe the finish on a well-worn
gun’s receiver when all the original case-hardening colors have worn or have been polished off. 
Photo

Comb - The top of a gun's stock, where a shooter rests his cheek when mounting a gun. As it is
the top of the stock that determines the position of one's eye, and one's eye is the rear sight on a
shotgun, the position of the comb is very important in determining the proper fit of a shotgun. 
Photo
Combination Gun - A firearm with various different configurations of rifle and shotgun barrels.
See various specific types: Bockbüchesflinte,  Cape Gun,  Paradox,  Drilling,  Doppelbuches-
Drilling,  Vierling,   German Combination Gun names, Compared

Commemorative - In firearms parlance, a gun that was manufactured in "limited" numbers

(often into the thousands), marked, stamped or fitted with extra bells and whistles in such a way
as to evoke reverence to some famous person, place or historical event. Rather than to be
manufactured for honest use, a commemorative is manufactured specifically to be collected.
Actually to shoot one will normally delete any supposed extra value such a questionable concept
ever had in the first place.

Concealed Third Fastener - An extension protruding rearward from the breech end of a set of
side-by-side barrels and entering a complementary recess in the breech face. The top of the
extension is locked down by a cam attached to the toplever spindle. When the gun is closed this
extra fastener is not visible from the exterior of the gun. Also called a Secret Bite. Photo

Crossover Stock - A gunstock with extreme cast (Cast-off or Cast-on), usually custom made, for
use by persons with disability so as to be able to shoot from the right shoulder using the left eye
or from the left shoulder using the right eye.

Cross Pin Fastener - A horizontal wedge, press-fit through the forend of a vintage gun, through
a lump attached to the underside of the barrel and out the other side of the forend. To secure the
forend in position. Also called a key fastener. Photo

Crown - The finish contour of the muzzle or a rifle. May be flat or rounded. Often shows
effective chamfering to protect the critical rifling at the absolute end of the muzzle.  Photo

Curios or Relics - is defined in 27 CFR 178.11 as follows:

"Firearms which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is
associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. To be
recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:

a. Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not
including replicas thereof;
b. Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum
which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and
c. Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact
that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical
figure, period, or event. Proof of qualification of a particular firearm under this category
may be established by evidence of present value and evidence that like firearms are not
available except as collector's items, or that the value of like firearms available in
ordinary channels is substantially less."

A list of acknowledged "Curios or Relics" is available from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms, Firearms Technology Branch, Room 6450, 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20226 or at: http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-11/atf-p-
5300-11.pdf

A special Curios or Relics license is available from the BATF, which allows collectors to buy
eligible firearms in interstate commerce. A licensed collector is not authorized to engage in
business as a dealer in any firearms, including curios or relics.

Cylinder - That part of a modern revolver that holds cartridges in separate chambers radially
around a central hingepin. The cylinder revolves as the handgun is cocked, bringing each
successive cartridge into position, and locked into alignment with the barrel for firing. Photo

        Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting
Guns

DA or Double Action - An action type, typical on revolvers, where pulling the trigger through a
long stroke revolves the cylinder, cocks the hammer and fires the gun---and alternatively, where
manually cocking the hammer and then pulling the resulting single-stage trigger fires it also. 
Photo

Damascus Barrels - Barrel tubes built up by twisting alternate strips of iron and steel around a
fixed rod (mandrel) and forge-welding them together in varying combinations according to the
intended quality and the skill of the maker. The rod was withdrawn, the interior reamed and the
exterior filed until the finished tube was achieved. Damascus barrels may be recognized by any
of a variety of twist or spiral patterns visible in the surface of the steel. Before the 20th century,
barrels were typically built in this manner because gunmakers did not have the technology to
drill a deep hole the full length of a bar of steel without coming out the side.

Damascus barrels were usually intended for use with black powder---the standard of the day. The
contour of the barrel wall thickness, intended for the fast explosion of black powder, was quite
thick at the breech and tapered thinner towards the muzzle. It is not advisable to shoot modern
smokeless powder in a damascus barrel. Apart from giving due deference to the age of such
barrels and to the method of their construction, smokeless powder burns more slowly, lowering
the pressure at the breech end, but considerably raising it further down the barrel to a level such
barrels were rarely designed to handle. Photo

Date Codes - Chart

Deeley Forend Release - A latch for securing the forend to the barrels of a break-open gun,
operated by a short pull-down lever mounted to the center of the forend. Typically seen on
Parker and Prussian Charles Daly guns.  Photo

Demi-bloc Barrels - (called Chopper-lump barrels in British) - A method of joining the two
separate tubes of a set of barrels where the right-hand half of the pair of lumps under the barrels
are forged integrally with the right barrel and the left-hand half of the pair of lumps under the
barrels are forged integrally with the left barrel. Chopper-lump barrels can be recognized by the
fine joint-line running longitudinally down the center of each lump. This method of jointing
barrels is the best because: 1. It is the strongest in relation to its weight, and 2. Because it allows
the two barrels to be mounted closest to each other at the breech end, reducing problems
regulating the points of aim of the two separate barrels. Photo

Deringer - A small, single-shot, percussion pistol designed and manufactured by Henry Deringer
of Philadelphia.  Photo

Derringer - Spelled with two rs, any very small easily concealed handgun.  Photo

Disc-Set Strikers - Circular steel fittings, about 1/2 inch in diameter, screwed into the breech
face of a gun and through which the firing pins pass. Firing pin bushings allow the convenient
replacement of broken firing pins. They also allow the renewal of an older gun where, over the
decades, leakage of high-pressure gas from corrosive primers has eroded the breech face around
the firing pins; and replacing these bushings with new ones, slightly oversized can compensate
for a situation where proper headspace has been compromised. In American: Bushed Firing
Pins.  Photo

Doll's Head - A rib extension on a break-open gun, ending in a circular or semi-circular shape in
plan (resembling the head of a doll), mating into a similarly-shaped recess in the top of the
receiver, designed to resist the tendency of the barrels to pull away from the standing breech
when firing. Because an action's centerpoint of flexing when firing is at the base of the standing
breech, not at the hingepin, a passive doll's head extension makes an effective extra fastener,
even without additional mechanical locks operated by the opening lever.  Photo

Doppelbüchs-Drilling - German term for a three-barrel firearm comprising two side-by-side

rifle barrels over one shotgun barrel. Photo

Double Action - An action type, typical on handguns, where the hammer may be cocked
manually prior to each shot, OR, one may pull the trigger through a long throw which cocks the
hammer (and in the case of a revolver, advances the cylinder) and fires the revolver in one
complete motion. Photo

Double Rifle - Two independent rifles, built on one frame, designed to allow two virtually
instantaneously quick, totally reliable shots. The apogee of the gunmaker's art. Particularly useful
against dangerous game, which may be moving, and in your direction, with vengeance on its
mind.  Photo    Regulation of Double Rifles.   Double Rifles for Sale

Dovetailed barrels - The usual way of building a set of side-by-side barrels. Two raw tubes are
filed to approximate their final contour. A solid block of steel is then filed to shape, fitted
between the two tubes at the breech end with about 3/4" exposed on the underside and soldered
or brazed into place to form the lump(s). Photo  Alternatively, see Chopper-Lump Barrels

Drilling - A three-barrel shoulder-fired gun, typically with two identical side-by-side shotgun
barrels mounted above one rifle barrel. Built primarily in Germany and Austria. If with two
rifled barrels above a single rifled barrel, it is called a Bock Drilling. Photo
Drop - The distance from an imaginary straight line of sight extended along the rib of a shotgun
rearward towards the butt---to the top of the stock at the comb or the heel. (In British: Bend). All
drop measurements in Hallowell & Co. listings are taken at the heel; that is, the distance between
the imaginary straight line of sight and the stock at its very end. We will be happy to provide the
drop measurement at the comb upon request.

Browning, in its infinite wisdom, considers that 2 3/8" drop at the heel will best fit the broadest
range of shooters for field use. This measurement can therefore be considered "normal." A gun
with less drop will shoot higher, while a gun with more drop will shoot lower for a given
individual. When the gun is comfortably mounted with the cheek snugly on the comb, the drop is
about right when you can see the front bead and just a little rib over the standing breech.

Trap guns usually have less drop because they are supposed to shoot a little high in order to hit
an almost universally rising target. Standard wisdom indicates that the drop is about right for a
mounted trap gun when the front bead seems to rest just on top of the middle bead like two parts
of a snowman, or forming a figure-eight.

Drop-Box Magazine - An extra-deep magazine typical of large calibre rifles for dangerous
game. The line of the underside of the wrist does not carry straight forward as with ordinary
rifles. Rather the rear of the magazine aligns more towards the center of the forward edge of the
triggerguard, typically allowing at least one extra cartridge to be carried.   Photo

Droplock - A variation on the Anson & Deeley boxlock design, introduced by Westley Richards
at the end of the 19th Century, whereby the locks themselves are removable, without tools, from
the action body for cleaning or repair through a hinged or a detachable floorplate. A droplock
action may be distinguished from an ordinary Anson & Deeley action at sight because it has no
action pins visible on the side of the receiver.  Photo

Dropper Points - Small, raised-carved details on either side of a double gun, behind the
lockplates of a sidelock or behind the flat sidepanels of a boxlock, in the shape of teardrops. Also
called teardrops.  Photo

DRP - Deutsches Reichspatent. Marked on patented inventions (including guns), adopted by

recently-united Germany in 1877.

DRGM - Deutches Reichs Gebrauchs Muster. In Germany, a pre-patent registration of a

(hopefully) patentable idea. A simpler, patent-like document of shorter duration. "Patent
angemeldet" means, patent applied for.

DST or Double-Set Trigger -  On a rifle, optionally pulling the rear (set) trigger converts the
front (main) trigger to a light, hair trigger---too light and sensitive to be carried safely in the
field. While the front trigger is always at the ready, if one has the time, using the set trigger
feature may allow for a more accurate long-distance shot. Operates using its own miniature firing
mechanism (sear, spring and hammer) when cocked, to multiply the force of a pull on the main
trigger. Photo
DT or Double Triggers -  one for each barrel. Double triggers are better than single triggers on a
double gun because:  1. They are simpler in design, therefore making the gun lighter and more
reliable.  2. They are less prone to double-firing.  3. In the hands of an experienced shooter they
are faster.  4. They allow immediate selection of which barrel to fire - the immediate selection of
the pattern to throw - even while the grouse is flushing.  Photo

Duelling Pistols - Single shot pistols, of a design originating in England, in vogue circa 1770 -
1850, built necessarily in pairs, either of flintlock or percussion ignition, usually finely made and
cased together with loading accessories. Dueling pistols tended to be lighter and sleeker than
their contemporary service pistols. They tended to have smoothbore (or sometimes secret,
scratch-rifling), octagon (or octagon-to-round) barrels around nine or ten inches long of some
form of damascus steel, bores just over a half-inch, ramrods, rudimentary sights front and rear,
single-set triggers, roller-bearing frizzens and curved grips integral with full or half-stocks. They
were usually of high quality construction, sometimes with silver furniture, but normally of
relatively plain decoration.  Photo

Ejectors - Fittings inset into the breech end of a pair of barrels of a break-open gun that kick out
fired shells, while only raising unfired shells enough to be removed by hand. Recognizable at a
glance on the breech end of a double gun because the fitting is split in two---one ejector for each
barrel.  Photo

Elevation - Adjustment of the point of impact of a firearm in the vertical plane; the knob used on
an iron sight or telescopic sight to raise or lower the point of impact.

Energy - Capability to perform work. As measured in foot-pounds, the amount of force it takes
to lift and object weighing one pound, one foot. To calculate the energy, in foot-pounds, of a
bullet in flight at any point on its trajectory:

               
W = Weight of the bullet in grains.    V =  Velocity in feet per second

English Casing -  A style of gun case whereby all the cased components are secured into more
open box-like compartments---the barrels and action secured well enough, but the accessories
liable to moving about a bit. An alternative to French casing, where all the cased components---
barrels, action and accessories are fitted into shaped compartments with no space around them. 
Photo

English Grip - A straight-wrist grip, typical on English shotguns, built for graceful aesthetics, light weight and fast handling. May be ovoid or
somewhat diamond-shaped in cross-section.  Photo

Escutcheon - A plate, typically of more complex outline than a simple oval, typically of brass or precious metal, inlaid into a gunstock or a gun case,
upon which is engraved the initials, monogram or coat-of-arms of the owner.  Photo
Express Sights - "V" shaped rear leaf sights mounted to a rifle barrel on a block or on a quarter-
rib, sometimes solid standing, sometimes folding, and often mounted in a row of similar leaves,
each of a slightly different height, marked with the range for which each is regulated.   Photo

Extended Top Tang - A display of gunmaking skill with a possible benefit of strengthening the
wrist of a heavily-recoiling rifle, whereby the top tang of the action is made extra long, shaped
and inletted into the top of the buttstock, extending along the top of the wrist and up over the
comb. Popularized by Holland & Holland and adopted by several of the finest contemporary
riflemakers in the USA.  Photo

Extractors - A fitting inset into the breech end of a pair of barrels of a break-open gun. When
the gun is opened the extractor lifts the cartridges so they may be removed by hand.
Recognizable at a glance on the breech end of a double gun because the fitting is solid---one
extractor taking care of both barrels together.  Photo

Eye Dominance - Although we have two eyes for depth perception and for spare parts, there is a
natural tendency for one eye to take precedence over the other, regardless of the relative visual
acuity of each eye. It is a fortunate condition when the eye on the side of the shoulder where one
is comfortable mounting a gun is also the dominant eye.

To test for eye dominance, pick out a small object several feet away. With both eyes open, center
your right index finger vertically over the object. Close your right eye. If your finger appears to
jump to the right, you are right eye dominant. Then open your right eye and close your left eye.
If your finger remains in position in front of the object, you have confirmed your right eye
dominance. Alternatively, if in the above test, upon closing your right eye your finger remains in
position covering the object, you are left eye dominant. If you close your left eye instead and
your finger appears to jump to the left you have confirmed your left eye dominance.

Eye dominance problems can be treated with 1. A severely-cast, cross-eye stock to bring the
dominant eye in line with the gun's line of sight, 2. A patch over the dominant eye, or just a small
piece of frosty Scotch tape on shooting glasses intercepting the dominant eye's line of sight, 3.
Fully or partially closing the dominant eye, or 4. Learning to shoot from the dominant-eye
shoulder.  While less convenient, methods that retain the use of both eyes better preserve the
ability to perceive depth in three-dimensional space---a great benefit in wingshooting.

        Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting
Guns

Falling Block - A type of action used primarily for single shot rifles whereby some kind of lever
actuates a breechblock, moving it downwards in a vertical recess to expose the chamber. May
have visible or enclosed hammer. For any given barrel length, it allows a shorter overall rifle
length compared to a bolt action because no space is taken up by the forward-and-back cycling
of the bolt. Most of the better British makers produced them in limited numbers around the turn
of the last century, the Farquharson being the most iconic. Perhaps the best-known falling block
action today is the Ruger No.1.  Photo
Feed Ramp - An inclined, polished area on a repeating firearm, just behind the chamber, that
helps guide a cartridge into the chamber when pushed forward by the closing bolt.

Fences - Hemispherical outgrowths of the receiver of a double gun that mate with the breech
ends of the barrels. The term derives from the flanges (or fences) in this position on a muzzle
loading gun that were designed to protect the eyes of the shooter from sparks and escaping
gasses.  Photo

FFL - Federal Firearms [Dealer's] License. To ship a firearm, a selling dealer must have in his
possession a copy of the receiving dealer's license.   Photo

Field Forend - A relatively slender forend on an over & under gun (as opposed to a beavertail
forend). Over & Under counterpart of a Splinter Forend.  Photo

Field Grade - An unembellished firearm used to hunt in rough terrain where one might prefer
not to put a more expensive, deluxe grade gun at risk of damage.

Field Gun - A shotgun, generally stocked to shoot where it is pointed and of relatively light
weight because one often carries it a great distance---the consequent recoil not being an
important factor because one actually shoots it very little.

Figured Walnut - Every piece of walnut is different in terms of its figure or fancy, streaked,
fiddleback, burled, grain pattern. It is difficult to describe a beautiful gunstock in a couple of
words, but at Hallowell & Co., we use the following terms:

Plain wood, perhaps with visible grain but without swirls. Straight and
[No mention]
strong.
Lightly figured
Some figure to elevate it from the ordinary.
walnut
Figured walnut Very pleasing figure, covering about half the buttstock
Highly figured
Beautiful figure, covering virtually all the buttstock
walnut
Stunning figure, dramatically covering the entire stock. We rarely use this
Exhibition walnut
term.

Firing Pin - The narrowly rounded, pointed component of a cartridge firearm that impacts and
causes detonation of the primer. This may be mounted coaxially with a coil mainspring in a bolt
rifle, may be a small replaceable tit mounted into the breech face of a sidelock break-open gun or
an integral part of the [enclosed] hammer of a boxlock gun.   Photo

Five-Screw - Four Screw - Three Screw - Terms relating to Smith & Wesson double-action
revolvers. The five screws were four retaining the sideplate and one at the front of the
triggerguard. From the introduction of the Hand Ejector in 1905, there were five screws. Then,
around 1955 S&W deleted the top sideplate screw. Around 1961, they deleted the triggerguard
screw. Collectors find cheapening of fine products irritating. Consequently, all other things being
equal, with Smith & Wesson revolvers, the more screws, the better. When counting the screws,
be aware that on many revolvers, the larger-sized grips can cover the rearmost sideplate screw---
only four screws being visible on a true five-screw revolver.

Flintlock - A system of firearms ignition, in general use circa 1660 - 1825, whereby the pull of a
trigger releases a sear from a notch in a spring-loaded hammer, which holding a properly
knapped piece of flint, strikes a vertical slab of steel (called a frizzen) scraping off tiny molten
particles of the steel, and pushing it forward causes an integral flashpan cover to open forward,
exposing a bit of fine gunpowder below, which when contacted by the falling sparks, ignites and
sends a flash of fire through the touchhole, into the loaded breech setting off the main charge and
firing the gun.  Photo  The Flintlock system was supplanted by the Percussion system around
1820.

Floated barrel - A rifle barrel mounted firmly to the receiver, but not touching the forend. Done
so that the stock will not adversely effect accuracy by impinging upon the natural vibration of the
barrel when the rifle is fired.

Fluid Steel bbls - Barrels made of homogeneous steel (not damascus steel) --- standard practice
for over a century.

Fluted Barrel - A rifle or pistol barrel, often of octagonal cross-section, into which longitudinal
grooves have been milled. Fluted barrels, while more expensive to make than round barrels,
dissipate heat more rapidly and they provide a better stiffness-to-weight ratio.  Photo

Forcing Cone - In a shotgun barrel, A tapered area a few inches from the breech end, providing a
transition between the chamber (approximately the diameter of the outside of a shotgun shell) to
the bore proper (approximately the diameter of the inside of a shotgun shell). The forcing cone
provides the transition between the exterior and the interior diameters of the cartridge. Older
shotguns usually have more abrupt forcing cones suitable for then-current thick-walled paper
shells with fibre wads. Newer shotguns usually have more gradual, longer forcing cones suitable
for thinner modern plastic shells with obturating plastic shot-cup wads.  Photo

French Casing - A style of gun case, where all the cased components---barrels, action and
accessories are fitted into shaped compartments with no space around them. An alternative to
English Casing whereby all the cased components are secured into more open box-like
compartments---the barrels and action secured well enough, but the accessories liable to moving
around a bit. Photo

French Gray - An acid etched or phosphate finish, applied typically to shotgun actions, forming
a gray-colored, non-reflective matte finish which also provides some protection from rust. Also
called, gray-etched.  Photo

Frizzen - That part of a flintlock action that receives the blow of the flint-tipped hammer, which
then yields tiny molten fragments of steel---sparks---which fall into the flashpan, igniting the
priming charge and thence, through the touchhole, the main charge.  Photo
Frontstrap - Front, metal, part of a handgun's grip---which together with the backstrap, provides
a mounting frame for the grip panels.   Photo

Fugger, Josef - Austrian-born engraver, spent most of his professional life at Griffin & Howe in
New York.  Photo

Full Stock - A rifle or carbine with a one-piece stock extending to the muzzle. Sometimes called
a Mannlicher stock, although such a term is confusing because Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles are
built with both full and half stocks. Traditional in Europe for close-range woodland hunting, but
not noted for extreme, long-range accuracy.  Photo

Funeral Grade - A colloquial term to describe a break-open gun, of any quality but often of the
very highest, bearing the least possible decoration; having an all-blued receiver with either no
engraving at all or only a simple borderline.  Photo

Furniture -  in British-speak, the visible small parts of a double gun: toplever, triggerguard,
safety tab, forend release lever, etc. These parts are normally blued.

Gape - The degree to which the barrel(s) of a break-open gun drop down; the size of the opening
space---which should be sufficient to allow for ease of loading, unloading and properly-
functioning ejection. A good gape is easier to achieve on a side-by-side than an over & under
where the bottom barrel is well-enclosed by the action body.

Gauge - System of measurement for the internal bore diameter of a smooth-bore firearm based
on the diameter of each of that number of spherical lead balls whose total weight equals one
pound. The internal diameter of a 12 gauge shotgun barrel is therefore equal to the diameter of a
lead ball weighing 1/12 pound, which happens to be .729" (Or in British: Bore.) The Gauge/Bore
system is also used, by convention, to describe the internal barrel diameter of large-bore, 19th
century, English, single-shot and double-barrel rifles.  Table

Glassbedding - Swabbing wet epoxy over the inletted portion of a stock, covering the
metalwork with a release agent and pressing the barreled action into the wood. A process
undertaken to compensate for imperfect wood-to-metal fit.

Gloaming Sight - A second, folding or pop-up front sight bead of larger than usual size, perhaps
not as accurate as a normal fine bead, but easier to see in the gloaming (twilight) or dawn.  Photo

Globe Sight - A front sight assembly, primarily for target rifles, consisting of a tube, housing
interchangeable beads and blades. The tube guards against imperfect aiming due to sight pictures
influenced by reflections.  Photo

Graticule - British for Reticle.

Greener Crossbolt - A tapered round bar, operated by the toplever of a shotgun, passing
transversely behind the standing breech of a side-by-side gun and through a matching hole in a
rib extension; to strengthen the lock-up. Scott's crossbolt operates similarly, but is square in
cross-section.  Photo

Greener Safety - A safety catch mounted to the left side of a gun, just behind the receiver,
which swivels fore and aft on a transverse rod. Often seen on drillings as well as on Greener's
own shotguns.  Photo

Griffin & Howe Sidemount - A quick-detachable scope mount system built by the company of
that name. The base fits to the side rail of a bolt action. The slide locks in place on the rail with
two levers. (Pre-war mounts had a single lever.) Rings of various heights and diameters attach
the scope of your choice to the slide. Mounting a scope high enough allows use of iron sights. 
Photo

Hagn Action - A modern, strong, simple, solid, well-engineered, falling-block, single-shot

action designed by Martin Hagn of British Columbia and made both by him and by Hartmann &
Weiss of Hamburg.  Photo

Half grip - Round knob, semi pistol grip (Prince of Wales grip) Photo

Hammer - The part of a gun lock, which driven by a spring and released by a pull of the trigger,
falls and (usually via an intervening firing pin) strikes the detonating primer of the load and
discharges the gun. Hammers may be external or internal.   Photo

Hammerless - A firearm with its hammer enclosed inside the action body; i.e.. no visible
hammer.   Photo

Hand - A small lever that engages a notch in the cylinder of a revolver and turns it to move the
next chamber into battery as the hammer is cocked.

Hand-Detachable Locks - The firing mechanism of a break-open gun which may be removed
for inspection or cleaning without the use of tools. The release latch may be plainly visible or
concealed. A feature typically seen on sidelock guns but also on the Westley Richards
"droplock" boxlock action.  Photo

Handspanner - German for Hand-Cocking or Cocker/De-Cocker. A type of action on a break-

open gun or rifle where, in place of a traditional top tang safety, a somewhat more robust tab is
fitted. Normally such a gun is carried in the field loaded, but with the action not cocked---an
exceedingly safe condition. Then, when ready to fire, the shooter, instead of pushing a safety tab
forward, pushes this larger tab forward, cocking the mainspring, making the gun ready to fire.
Then, if the shot is not taken, he may simply slide this tab rearwards again, de-cocking the gun
and returning it to the still-loaded, but very safe position.  Photo

Hang Fire - A dangerous situation resulting occasionally from the use of outdated old
ammunition where the primer does not fire upon being struck by the firing pin. The cartridge
may fire in a virtual instant or some seconds later. In the event that a cartridge fails to fire
immediately upon the pull of the trigger, always count out ten seconds before opening the
breech.

Headspace - The distance, or clearance, between the base of a chambered cartridge and the
breech face (or bolt face) of a firearm. This is a critical dimension, particularly in high powered
rifles. If there is too little headspace, the bolt will not close. If there is too much headspace the
cartridge will not be properly supported in the chamber and the cartridge will expand upon firing
and may rupture, blasting high-pressure gas into the action and possibly into the body of the
shooter. Headspace should be .003" - .006" in a centerfire rifle. It can be checked with a set of
"Go and No-Go" gauges specific to the calibre in question. With a standard cartridge, the
headspace is registered by the shoulder, with a belted cartridge, the headspace is registered by
the forward edge of the belt.

Heel - The top of the butt-end of a gun stock.

Heel & Toe Plates - Protective plates, usually of steel or horn, covering the top and bottom of a
gunstock's butt only (the heel and the toe); leaving wood exposed in the center. Photo

Hinge Pin - A short cylindrical rod of hardened steel running laterally near the front of the bar of
a break-open gun's action around which the barrel hook revolves when the gun is opened. Over
the decades, this pin and its complimentary hook can wear and a gun can sometimes "shoot
loose" or "come off the face." The proper cure for this condition is to replace the hinge pin with a
new one, slightly oversized, to compensate for wear on both itself and on the barrel hook.  Photo

To test for a worn hinge pin, remove the forend (which helps hold the barrels tightly onto the
receiver). Hold the receiver in one hand and the end of the butt in the other. Give the gun a good
shake, side to side. If you can detect movement of the barrels against the receiver, the gun has
probably seen a good deal of use. It probably ought to have a new hinge pin fitted by a
competent gunsmith.

Holdopen Toplever - A catch built into the receiver of a break-open gun to keep the toplever in
its extreme right position when the barrels are removed. This device makes it slightly easier to
remount the barrels. When the barrels are mounted and the breech closed, the barrels contact
some kind of release pin and the toplever automatically returns to the center locked position. As,
however, it requires a separate act to re-center the toplever on a broken-down gun, this feature
may be irritating when trying to put a gun away in its case.

Hook - A concave, semi-cylindrical surface cut into the forward lump of a barrel set of a break-
open firearm which revolves about the hinge-pin when the gun is opened.  Photo

Howdah Pistol - Normally, a break-open, double-barrel, side-by-side pistol of large calibre, used
by a maharaja when hunting tiger on the back of his elephant (in the howdah---the basket
compartment in which he sits). The howdah pistol is the weapon of last resort in case the tiger
tries to join him in the howdah.  Photo
Imports - Click for information for foreign sellers and for Americans purchasing firearms
abroad.

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Guns

Inletted Swivel Studs - A type of base for detachable sling swivels whereby the steel base is
inletted into the stock for a cleaner look, rather than simply being screwed onto the surface. A
sign of a better custom-made rifle.  Photo

Inletting - The process of carving out recesses in wooden stocks with precision, using gouges,
chisels and scrapers to accept the steel components of a firearm. Photo

Intercepting Sear - A second sear, poised just behind a second notch in the hammer. 

It is possible that when a cocked firearm is dropped or sharply jarred, a single sear could jump
out of its notch and the hammer could fall, firing the gun accidentally. In this event, an
intercepting sear would engage before the hammer could fall completely, preventing an
accidental discharge. On a gun with intercepting sears, only by pulling the trigger are both sears
moved out of the way simultaneously, allowing the gun to fire.

Intercepting sears are usually found on better sidelock actions. They are sometimes found on best
boxlocks, and can be recognized by an extra screw behind the action fences, in addition to the
usual two screws (or pins) along the lower rear of the receiver.  Photo

Island Lock - A sidelock, inletted into the wood at the side of a (vintage) gun, in its own recess,
independent of the steel receiver.  Photo

Island Rear Sight - A rear barrel sight base, more articulated than having the sight simply
dovetailed into the barrel, but not requiring as much gunsmithing as having it mounted onto a
proper quarter-rib.  Photo

J-Bore - In reference to variations of the German military cartridge, 8x57.  This cartridge was
originally manufactured using a bullet with a diameter of .318 inches. It is known in Germany as
the 8x57I or in the USA as 8x57J. (I and J are interchangeable.) In 1905, the German military
adopted a slightly larger bullet diameter, .323 inches, also with a slightly larger neck diameter,
and named it 8x57S. Commercial sporting arms makers adopted the new cartridge at a glacial
pace. Rimmed versions of both these cartridges are available for use in break-open and single
shot rifles, denominated respectively 8x57JR and 8x57JRS. Often, it is difficult to ascertain
which bore size a vintage rifle might have. Markings can be confusing and rifles may have been
altered. The only safe way to determine the exact bore size is to take a cast of the chamber
extending a bit into the bore proper and measure it with a micrometer. It may be safe to shoot a .
318 inch bullet in a .323 inch bore, but accuracy will be unpredictable. To shoot a .323 inch
bullet in a .318 inch bore is dangerous.
Jeweled - An engine-turned treatment on a steel part done both for a finished look and to hold oil
on the surface. An abrasive-impregnated rubber bit is used to describe a circular pattern on the
surface of the steel, then moved just a little less than distance of the diameter of the bit, touched
to the surface again, and the process repeated until the steel surface is covered with small regular
rows of circular swirls.  Photo

Jones Underlever - A lever, mounted to the underside of the receiver of a break-open gun,
extending half way around the trigger guard and ending in a knob the shooter can grasp. When
the lever is turned 90 degrees to the right, a pair of tapered, opposing lugs move out of mating
bites in the barrel lumps, allowing the barrels to drop open on the hingepin. While not the fastest-
opening design for the lockup of a break-open gun, it is amongst the strongest and most durable. 
Photo

Kersten lock - A crossbolt running laterally, just behind the breech face, through the top of the
standing breech of a break-open gun which passes through a complimentary hole in a flange
extending rearward from the top side of a barrel. Double Kersten locks: two such locks; one on
either side of the barrel set. A system of lockup usually found on German over & under shotguns
such as Merkel and Simson.  Photo

Key Fastener - A horizontal wedge, press-fit through the forend of a vintage gun, through a
lump attached to the underside of the barrel and out the other side of the forend. To secure the
forend in position. Also called a crosspin or a wedge fastener. Photo

Keyhole  - The tendency of a bullet to hit a target sideways, leaving a distinctly oblong hole.
This destabilization of the spinning bullet in flight is typically caused by a bullet weight
inappropriate for the rate of twist of the rifled barrel, an out-of-balance bullet or its having
nicked an impediment such as a blade of grass, in flight.

Kipplaufbüchse - German term for a break-open single shot rifle. From the words Kippen (tilt)
and Lauf (barrel). (Courtesy, Dietrich Apel.) Photo

Knuckle - The curved, forward end of the bar of a break-open firearm's action, about which the
mounted forend iron revolves downward. This area should be kept lightly greased to avoid
galling the bearing surfaces.

Rudolph Kornbrath - Born in 1877 in Ferlach, Austria. Emigrated to the USA in 1910.
Engraved guns in Hartford, Connecticut as an independent artist until suffering a debilitating
stroke in 1937. Died 1946. Did much of his work for Colt and for Hoffman Arms as well as
private commissions.  Photo

Lap - (verb). To polish with a fine abrasive paste, as to remove machining marks. Bores may be
lapped to improve velocities and minimize fouling. Bolt actions may be lapped to improve the
smoothness of operation.

Leaf Sights - Folding blade sights, similar to express sights, but hinged essentially from one
position instead of in a long row.  Photo
Lefaucheaux, M. - Patented one of the first practical breech-loading shotgun actions, using his
proprietary Pinfire cartridge. The action operated by a forward-facing lever on the underside of
the forearm, which when moved 90 degrees to the right, caused the barrels to slide forward and
then to drop down exposing the chamber.  Photo

Lever Forend Release - A latch for securing the forend to the barrels of a break-open gun,
operated by swiveling a lever to the side. It provides a very positive lock; primarily used on
double rifles.  Photo

Lifters - Another name for Extractors.

LTRK - Long tang, round knob, semi-pistol grip (A term used by Browning shotgun collectors) 
Photo

Lock - Part of the action of a gun; the mechanism by which a pull of the trigger causes a blow to
be struck to the detonating primer, firing the gun. It can have an  internal or external hammer, be
a flintlock, percussion lock, Boxlock, Sidelock, blitz lock or of any number of different designs.

Lumps - The projections extending downward from the breech end of a side-by-side gun. Into
the lumps are machined the hook (to swivel around the hingepin) and the bites (to accept the
locking bolts). Also called underlugs.  Photo   See also Bifurcated Lumps and Chopper Lumps

Magazine - A spring-operated reservoir for cartridges for a repeating firearm; often removable. 
Photo

Magazine Follower - A plate, mounted to the top of a spring, inside a magazine, over which
cartridges may slide smoothly as they are guided into the chamber of a repeating firearm.  Photo

Mag. or Magnum - A marketing term for a cartridge of greater than normal power or velocity---
and of the firearm designed to handle it safely.

Mannlicher Stock - An (incorrect) term used to describe a Germanic-styled rifle or carbine with
a stock extending all the way to the muzzle. The term came into use because the Steyr
Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles, so styled, were many American's first introduction to that
configuration.  Photo

Martini - A hammerless single shot action type whereby a breechblock, hinged at the upper rear,
operated by an underlever, tilts downward to expose the chamber. Photo

Matchlock - An early system of ignition for muzzle-loading firearms where a priming charge is
loaded into a flashpan with a separate, manually-operated cover. To fire, the cover is opened and
then a slowly smoldering wick, held in the nose of the curved arm, is lowered by means of a
lever (precursor to a trigger) to ignite a priming charge which then ignites the main propellant
charge inside the barrel. Photo
Minute of Angle; MOA - A 1/60th part of a degree, the unit of measure used in adjusting rifle
sights. As it turns out, a minute of angle translates almost exactly to one inch at 100 yards, to two
inches at 200 yards and three inches at 300 yards.

Monoblock barrels - A method of building a pair of barrels where the entire breech end of both
barrels and the lumps together are machined from one solid piece of steel. The barrel tubes are
then fitted separately into this monoblock and the ribs attached. Often identifiable by a
distinctive ring around the barrels about three inches in front of the breech end. The favored
jointing method of the Beretta company. An incorrect euphemism for sleeved barrels.  Photo

Monogram - An personalized marking consisting of initials, often artistically engraved or inlaid

in which the letter for the surname is central and prominent.  Photo

Monte Carlo Comb - An elevated gunstock comb which drops to a normal height at the heel..
Useful on rifle stocks to align the eye with a telescopic sight better, and on trap guns to raise the
point of impact.  Photo

Monte Carlo Cheekpiece - A cheek rest, built onto the side of a gunstock, which also extends
upward to raise the comb of a stock, then falls sharply to a normal height so as not to affect the
drop at the heel. As above, useful on rifle stocks to align the eye with a telescopic sight better,
and on trap guns to raise the point of impact.  Photo

Mullered Borders - A borderline at the edge of a checkered area on a gun stock. It is made by
using a convex cutting tool which is slightly larger than the normal pointed checkering tool used
for the body of the pattern. Typical of better English guns and of fine American guns built to
evoke an English style. Photo

Musket - An older form of military long arm. Usually with barrel bands and smooth bores.

Muzzle - The end of a barrel, pointing towards the target, out of which the load is discharged.  
Photo

Muzzle Brake - A fitting attached to the muzzle of a firearm, with a series of perforations
designed to deflect some of the forward-rushing gasses and pull the firearm forward off the
shoulder, reducing recoil. While muzzle brakes can be effective in reducing recoil, their resultant
blast is at least mildly offensive to anyone else standing nearby.  Photo

New. - New from the manufacturer or distributor. Never sold at retail.

NIB - New, unfired, in original box, although possibly previously owned.

NID - New Improved Design. An improved version of the Ithaca shotgun: the "Knick" model---
stronger and more reliable than its predecessor, the "Flues" model.
Nipple - A small, tubular protuberance, screwed into the breech end of a percussion-system
firearm's barrel, upon which is fitted the percussion cap and through which, at the moment of the
hammer's impact the detonating flash passes to the main propellant charge.  Photo

Nitro - Refers to the chemical composition of the smokeless powder used to propel shot (or a
bullet) from a firearm. It is a solid form, based on nitroglycerine. Generally adopted in the very
late 19th century, it very quickly replaced traditional gunpowder (Carbon, Sulpher and Saltpeter)
because it did not generate nearly as much smoke, because it was safer to handle, because it did
not promote rust in bores and because it burned slower---allowing the projectile to accelerate
longer as it moved down the barrel and consequently reach a higher muzzle velocity. It is
dangerous to shoot nitro-based ammunition in vintage firearms originally designed for black
powder.

Nitro Express - A marketing term dating from the early days of nitro powders, non-specifically
denoting a more powerful cartridge than the black powder cartridge it might be compared to. "As
powerful as an express train."

Nitro Proof - A marking on a gun meaning that it is safe for use with nitro-based powders and
has been successfully tested at an official proof house with a special extra-heavy charge. The
specifics of the test depend upon which proof house undertook the test, what pressure they tested
the gun to and upon what extra data is included amongst the proofmarks. The safety of shooting
any gun depends not only upon its original construction but also upon its current condition.

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Guns

Obturating Breech - A design of breechloading action whereby the breech slides forward to the
barrels (or vice versa) and the one overlaps the other to form a better seal. Ordinarily, modern
firearms do not require special obturating breeches because ductile brass cartridges swell slightly
when fired, effectively sealing the rapidly expanding gas within the breech.  Photo

Offhand - The standing position for shooting a rifle from the shoulder. A stance generally not
resulting in as fine accuracy as the other positions, kneeling, sitting and prone; but usually faster.

O/U or Over and Under [barrels] - Over and under barrels are better than side-by-side barrels
because they have a narrower sighting plane. They allow more precise aiming and allow slightly
better peripheral vision. Over & under guns are more suitable for shooting clays, where one
generally knows where and when the target will be presented. Consider the analogy that fine
crosshairs in a rifle scope may be harder to see, but when one has time, allow for a more accurate
shot than the broad crosshairs of a hunting scope.

Oval - A small oval plate of nickel, silver or gold, usually inletted flush into the underside of the
buttstock of a fine gun on which the owner's initials, monogram or coat of arms my be engraved.
Photo   See also: Escutcheon.
Pair (of Shotguns) - Two shotguns of a matched Pair are identical in every way---same barrel
lengths, same chokes, stocks of the same dimensions cut from the same piece of wood, identical
weights, balance, etc. They should be consecutively numbered and all the readily-detachable
components should be numbered 1 and 2 respectively. Usually, they are cased together. Ideally,
in the heat of a driven shoot when the birds are coming hard and fast, working with a loader, the
shooter shouldn’t be conscious at all of which gun of the pair he has in hand at any given
moment. A "pair' of guns ordered with different chokes or other differences, in the interest of
increasing their range of utility, defeats the entire concept of a matched Pair. Most makers will
charge an extra 10% over the cost of two single guns for their trouble insuring the precise
matching of the two guns. A Composed Pair of guns is one where two separate guns, made
individually, are subsequently stocked or altered to match as closely as possible.  Photo

PG - Full Pistol Grip, with flat knob, with or without pistol grip cap. Although less sleek in
appearance than a straight English grip, a more naturally fitting handle allowing the human hand
to hold the gun in a more relaxed position. Considered by many to be more suitable for target
guns, where one shoots somewhat deliberately.  Photo

Palm Rest - A handle, mounted to the underside of the forend of a rifle built for off-hand target
shooting. In use, a right-handed person would place the butt to the shoulder, grasp the wrist with
the right hand, cock the left elbow to the left hip and by triangulation of his forearm support the
palmrest with the palm of his left hand.  Photo

Palm Swell - A bulge in the side of the pistol grip of a stock designed fill the palm of the hand
and offer the shooter a more comfortable, repeatable hold on his gun. Wundhammer Swell. 
Photo

Pancake Cheekpiece - A cheekpiece confined completely to the side of a buttstock---as opposed

to one in which the forward borderline flows into the wrist or one that flows up and over the
comb. Photo

Paradox -  A barrel boring system invented by G V Fosbery to allow use as an ordinary shotgun
and also to be able to fire a single projectile with reasonable accuracy approaching that of a rifle.
The barrel is smoothbore for most of its length. Then, about three inches from the muzzle, a
normal shotgun choke begins its smooth constriction. Finally, about an inch and a half from the
muzzle, a deep, robust series of spiral rifling lands and grooves are cut. Shot is not unduly
effected by the rifling. A conical bullet or a slug is given a real spin by the rifling---achieving far
superior accuracy to that of a modern “rifled” slug shot through a normal shotgun bore.
Sometimes referred to as a "Ball & Shot Gun". Photo

Parallax - A condition, when looking through a telescopic sight, when a movement of the eye,
up, down or sideways, changes the position of the reticle with respect to the target. This
condition is caused by the reticle not being in proper focus with the objective lens. It is difficult
to achieve reliable accuracy while there is a parallax problem. And, the higher the magnification,
the more likely parallax will be an issue. The cure is to focus the scope for the range it is to be
used. Most scopes may be focused by rotating the ocular bell. Many high-powered scopes have a
parallax adjustment---the ability to focus via the objective bell.  Photo
Parkerizing - A chemical phosphate process developed during the second world war to provide
an economical, durable and non-reflective surface finish to military firearms.  Photo

Patridge Sights - A relatively thick, flat-topped front blade sight and a square-notched rear
sight, used normally on handguns. Designed by E. E. Patridge in the 1890s.   Photo

Pattern - The shape of the shot cloud as it deploys from the muzzle of a shotgun. While choke
determines the degree of concentration of the shot, it is primarily skilled boring of the barrel that
determines the highly-desirable evenness of the pattern. Cartridge design can also effect
evenness and concentration of pattern. Adjudged, traditionally against a 30 inch circle, fired at a
range of 40 yards.

Pedestalled - A stockmaking detail where a small metal component such as a sling swivel stud is
mounted to a raised flat area.   Photo

Peep Sight - A type of gunsight, mounted towards the rear of a rifle through which one simply
looks, placing the front sight on the target. Also called an aperture sight. With a small aperture, it
can be very accurate. With a larger aperture, it allows faster target acquisition. Typically
adjustable for windage and elevation. It is superior to the open rear buckhorn or express sight
because it requires the shooter to focus on two planes only (the front sight and the target) instead
of three (the open rear sight, the front sight and the target. The attribute is especially beneficial
for older people who have trouble focusing at near distances. And, the small aperture, by bending
light rays at the edge of its metal-to-air interface, effectively acts as a lens.  Photo

Percussion Lock - Based on a discovery by the Rev. Alexander Forsyth, patented in 1807, that a
blow to fulminate of mercury will detonate it, through several designs to utilize the concept with
limited success, culminating in the adoption of the copper priming cap. This small, cup-shaped
cap, containing a bit of fulminate, after the hammer is cocked, is placed upside-down on the
tubular-conical nipple. To fire the gun, one pulls the trigger, releasing the spring-loaded hammer
which falls on the head of the percussion cap, detonating the fulminate, sending fire through the
hole in the nipple to the main charge inside the breech (having been loaded from the muzzle)
touching it off and discharging the weapon. The percussion system superseded the flintlock
system generally around 1820 because it was more reliable in the wind and the rain, quicker to
load, of faster lock time and because it was cheaper to manufacture.  Photo

Pigeon Gun - A double-barrel shotgun, with relatively tight choke boring and a relatively high-
combed stock used for shooting live pigeons (euphemistically known as flyers) which normally
rise when released. To better absorb recoil, a pigeon gun is normally heavier than a field gun as
one shoots heavy loads and walks only a little. Because of the inevitable expense of this shooting
discipline, pigeon guns are often built to a high standard of quality and reliability in deluxe
grades with highly figured walnut stocks and fine engraving.  Photo

Pin - British for Screw.

Pinned - In Smith & Wesson parlance, a pin (in its American definition---a small-diameter
cylinder of steel) fitted through the top front of a revolver frame and through the breech end of
the barrel, to lock it into position after it has been screwed in place. The extra expense of fitting
this pin was generally deleted during the early 1980s. All other things being equal, most people
would rather have this feature than to see their revolver cheapened in such a petty way.  Photo

Pinfire - An early form of complete, self-contained cartridge. It included bullet, powder and
ignition primer, all in one package. The primer was located towards the base of the cartridge, but
completely internally. The pin, shaped like a little finishing nail, pointed on the inside end and
resting on the internal primer, projected radially about a quarter-inch to the outside of the base of
the cartridge.

When loaded, a pinfire gun showed the tips of the pins exposed through small slots in the tops of
the breech faces of the barrels. To fire, hammers fell on the pins, driving them (through the wall
of the cartridge) into the internal primer.  The exposed pins made the cartridges vulnerable to
surprise ignition when dropped or knocked about in one’s pocket. As a system, it was rather
short-lived.   Photo

Pitch - The angle of the butt of a gun in relation to the line of sight. In America, pitch is
measured by resting the gun with its butt flat on a floor, the top of the receiver against a wall and
its muzzle pointing up. The distance of the muzzle from the wall is the gun's pitch down. In
England, pitch is determined by measuring the length of pull, separately, to each of the heel, the
middle of butt and the toe.

Ported barrels - Barrels with a series of holes or slots drilled near the muzzle. When a ported
barrel is discharged, gasses moving violently down the barrel hit the forward edge of the holes
and pull the gun forward off the shoulder, reducing felt recoil. Porting holes, when cut along the
top of the barrel also work to depress the barrel under discharge, counteracting muzzle jump.
Ported barrels may provide some benefit to the shooter, but the sideways blast of gas is
somewhat obnoxious for others nearby.  Photo

Postal Proof - A Winchester mark, stamped at the factory on barrels supplied mail-order to
independent gunsmiths, who then fitted them to customer's rifles. An indication of a re-barreled
rifle.  Photo

Pre-'64 - A collectors' term, specific to Winchester firearms. In 1964 the Winchester board took
a decision to cheapen their entire product line in a vain attempt to compete with their imitators
on price. On their Model 70, the Mauser-based controlled-feed claw extractor was deleted. On
their lever action guns, the forend was no longer dovetailed into the front of the receiver.
Collectors resent the accountant's power over the engineers and craftsmen and the watershed
erosion of quality that occurred in that year. Consequently, all other things being equal, Pre-'64
Winchesters are worth more than Post-'64 Winchesters.

Prewar - Before World War II (with all due respect to those who served in other conflicts).

Primer - A small capsule of soft metal containing a detonating compound, press-fitted into the
head of a cartridge. When the primer is struck by the firing pin, the small charge explodes,
touching off the main powder charge inside the cartridge, launching the bullet or shot charge. 
Photo

Proof - The test-firing of a gun with an extra-heavy load, at an official establishment, to verify
the safety of a gun, which is then marked with formal stamps showing, among other things, the
loads for which it is intended.  Proof date code table.

Most civilized countries have proof houses, run either by the government or by the trade
association under the auspices of the government. In these countries, every new gun must pass
proof before it is sold. The United States, the most litigious country in the world, has no proof
house. Perhaps for these reasons, American shotguns are often stronger and heavier than their
European counterparts. Photo, typical Proofmarks

Pull - The length of a stock, as measured from the center of the trigger to the center of the butt,
including any recoil pad, buttplate or simply to the end of the wood if finished with a checkered
butt. Pull measurements are not exactly comparable between double-trigger and a single-trigger
guns. At Hallowell & Co., pull is measured from the front trigger of a double-trigger gun and
from the only trigger of a single-trigger gun. The length of pull is about right for a shotgun when,
with the gun comfortably mounted, there are about two finger-widths between the meat of your
thumb and your cheekbone. Any less, and you might hit your face with your hand when the gun
recoils. Any more, and you might catch the butt on your clothing when you hastily mount the
gun.

Purdey Underbolts - A sliding bar, running longitudinally through the watertable of a break-
open side-by-side gun's action, with openings through which the lumps of the barrels pass when
the gun is closed. Under spring tension, this bar moves forward when the opening control is
released and its two locking surfaces engage complementary slots (bites) in the rear of the two
barrel lumps. Originally operated by a hinged tab in front of the trigger guard. Now invariably
operated by a cam from Scott's [toplever] spindle. Most modern side-by-side guns lock closed in
this manner. Photo

Quarter Rib - A raised section of rib, running from the breech end, partly towards the muzzle,
found predominately on side-by-side double rifles, but also sometimes on better custom bolt
rifles, to act as a base for express sights and in itself as a aid in quick pointing.  Photo

QD - Quick-detachable, as in scope mounts or sling swivels.

Rail Mount - A telescopic sight with an integral rail on the underside. The rail provides rigidity
to the scope and it provides a convenient point of attachment for a typically European quick-
detachable mounting system. Longitudinal positioning is more flexible because the rail is less
obstructed by objective or ocular  bells and windage/elevation turrets.  Photo

Recessed - In Smith & Wesson parlance, a revolver cylinder whose chambers have been
counterbored to accept the cartridge's rims---the base of the cartridges then resting flush with the
rear of the cylinder. In later guns, the expense of counterboring the chambers has largely been
deleted. All other things being equal, most people would rather have a revolver with recessed
chambers.

Rebounding Lock - An action design developed during the hammer cartridge era wherein the
released hammer comes to rest slightly rearward and out of contact with the firing pin.
Previously, with non-rebounding hammers, unless the hammer was kept on half-cock or cocked
and on safe, the hammer would rest on the firing pin---which in turn would rest on the primer; a
decidedly perilous condition.

Receiver - The frame or action body of a firearm. The housing that contains the mechanism that
fires the gun. The serially-numbered part which legally constitutes the firearm. Photo

Regulation of Double Rifles - If the two barrels of a double-barrel shotgun shot 3" apart at 25
yards, not many people would notice because the pattern from each barrel, spreading two feet
across at that range, would largely overlap. If, on the other hand, the two barrels of a double rifle
shot 3" apart at 25 yards, it would probably shoot 6" apart at 50 yards and 12" apart at 100 yards,
limiting its utility.

One cannot build a double rifle, using sophisticated mass-production machinery with barrels
perfectly parallel and expect both barrels to shoot to a common point of impact. While the bullet
is traveling down the right barrel (of a side-by-side double rifle) the rifle will be pushed up and
to the right, throwing the bullet up and to the right when it exits the muzzle. While the bullet is
traveling down the left barrel, the rifle will be pushed up and to the left, throwing the bullet up
and to the left when it exits the muzzle. To compensate for the movement of a double rifle while
bullets are traveling down the barrels, it must be built with the barrels converging towards the
muzzle (by a mysterious amount). Because different powder charges, bullet weights, rifle
weights, shooter body weights, ambient temperatures, etc., all effect the way a rifle moves under
recoil, the only way to balance these factors is by trial and error. This process is called
regulation.

The goal of regulation is to make the rifle shoot both barrels to a common point of impact at a
range appropriate for the calibre.

One can proceed generally in either of two ways: adjusting the relative position of the barrels or
adjusting the load. If one has a fixed load in mind, the former method must be used. It involves
repetitive unsoldering and resoldering the barrels until the required convergence is achieved,
then relaying the ribs and finally refinishing the barrels.

A simpler method is to vary the load. The longer the bullet spends traveling down the barrel, the
greater the force is exerted on the rifle to cause it to move while under recoil. If bullets from the
left and right barrels strike the target too far apart at the desired range, and have crossed before
they reach the target, the velocity is too great. The bullet weight must therefore be increased or
the powder charge decreased. If bullets from the left and right barrels strike the target at the
desired range too far apart, but have not crossed before they reach the target, the velocity is too
slow. The bullet weight must therefore be decreased or the powder charge increased.
The construction of an effective double rifle is the apogee of the gunmaker's art. If, however, one
comes into possession of a double rifle for which the original load is unknown, one can often
make it shoot well by adjusting the load to the rifle.  Double Rifles for Sale

Reinforced Frame - A firearms action, most commonly on a heavily recoiling break-open

weapon, in which the action forging has been enlarged with extra steel at its weakest point---the
line extending downwards from the standing breech, at the beginning of the watertable. Also
called a bolstered frame.  Photo

Reinforcing Crossbolt - A steel bolt, mounted transversely through a rifle stock just under and
behind the front (and sometimes rear) receiver ring, sometimes concealed in the wood and
usually against which the action is carefully bedded. When properly fitted, it helps distribute the
recoil and reinforces stock at the point where wood has been removed to accept the action.
Reinforcing crossbolts can be recognized by the flush-mounted circular steel fittings on the side
of the stock, but are sometimes finished with contrasting wooden plugs and sometimes concealed
completely. Also called Recoil Crossbolt.  Photo

Release Trigger - A trigger mechanism which sets when pulled, and then fires when released.
Sometimes fitted to competition shotguns for shooters who are bothered by flinching, but
perilous in the hands of someone not expecting such an arrangement.

Reticle - A matrix of dots, posts or lines, visible inside a rifle's telescopic sight, normally
adjustable via exterior knobs for windage and elevation. After careful adjustment at a known
range, the shooter aims the rifle by superimposing this matrix onto the target. With good
estimation or range, cooperation from the wind, a clear eye and a steady hand, he may have a
reasonable expectation of hitting his target. Also, less correctly: Reticule. Or, in British:
Graticule.  Photo

Rifle - A relatively long-barreled firearm, fired from the shoulder, having a series of spiral
grooves (rifling) cut inside the barrel that impart a rapid spin to the single projectile, stabilizing it
in flight for greatly improved accuracy over that of a smoothbore gun.

Rifling - Spiral grooves cut into the inside of a barrel that impart a rapid spin to the single
projectile, gyroscopically stabilizing it in flight for greatly improved accuracy over that of a
smoothbore gun.  Photo of rifling design types.

Rifling Methods -

    Hook Rifling - A single-toothed tool is repeatedly pulled through the bore in a spiraling twist,
cutting one groove at a time to a slightly greater depth with each pass. It is then incremented to
the next groove, the process repeated until all grooves are cut to the required depth.

    Broaching – Similar to hook rifling, but with a succession of multiple-toothed tools in which
all grooves are cut simultaneously to a greater depth with the passage of each incrementally
larger cutter.
    Button rifling – A multi-headed tool of extremely hard steel or tungsten carbide is either
pushed or pulled through the bore, in one pass, forge-pressing grooves by displacing the barrel
steel rather than removing it.

    Hammer Forging – Using heavy specialist machinery, a slightly oversized barrel blank is
hammered-swaged externally over a pre-contoured mandrel having the desired spiral lands and
grooves, and sometimes even the chamber, already machined in place.

Rifle Cartridge Designations - Although proprietary variations abound, a few general principles
follow:

    19th Century American: Calibre in inches - Grains of black powder - (and sometimes weight
of bullet in grains). i.e. .30-30 means a .30 calibre bullet driven by 30 grains of black powder.      

    European: Diameter of bullet in millimeters, by length of empty case in millimeters. i.e. 7x57
means a 7mm diameter bullet loaded in a 57mm long case. An "R" suffix denotes a rimmed
cartridge.

    Vintage English: The basic case diameter - the neck diameter, then the case length. i.e. .450-
400  3 1/4" means a .450" diameter case, necked down to .400"    3 1/4" long, unloaded.

Rimfire firearms cartridges have their priming compound spun by centrifugal force into the
crevice of the hollow rim on sophisticated equipment in factories. Rimfire cartridges, such as
the .22 Long Rifle, cannot be reloaded with consumer equipment, at home. Rimfire cartridges are
detonated when the firing pin hits the edge of the base of the cartridge and pinches the priming
compound between the folds of the rim. Photo

Rising Bite - A lockup design for break-open guns, usually serving as a third fastener to
strengthen the lockup of a gun with double Purdey underbolts. Designed by J Rigby and T
Bissell, patent number 1141 of 1879. A loop-shaped rearward extension of the rib, drops into a
mating female recess in the top of the standing breech, surrounds a fixed central buttress and is
secured by a rising post at the rear. Often seen on Rigby double rifles of the period circa 1880 -
1920; after which even Rigby discontinued it in favor of the Doll's Head, because it was
exceedingly expensive to built. A marvelous feat of gunmaking.   Photo

Rolled Triggerguard - A thickened, beaded edge on the side of a triggerguard bow. This extra
detail allows the triggerguard to be made light, thin and graceful while at the same time thick
enough to avoid finger injury when the gun recoils---theoretically possible with a sharp-edged
triggerguard.  Photo

Rook Rifle - English term for a light, usually single-shot, usually break-open design rifle, firing
a centerfire cartridge of power similar to a pistol cartridge, and used to shoot rooks, crows and
other vermin.   Photo

Rose & Scroll Engraving - A traditional English engraving pattern where areas of tight scroll
are interspersed with bouquets of roses. This pattern developed as much to impart a texture to the
raw polished steel which would remain after the color hardening had worn off, as it was an art in
its own right.  Photo

Round Action - Name commonly used to describe the MacNaughton / Dickson / McKay Brown
Triggerplate Action ---Which see.

Rounded Action - Not truly a Round Action; one of ordinary (boxlock or sidelock) design,
whose sharp edges have been comfortably radiused and, perhaps, the exterior of whose
lockplates have been subtly curved.  Photo

        Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting
Guns

S-Bore - In reference to variations of the German military cartridge, 8x57.  This cartridge was
originally manufactured using a bullet with a diameter of .318 inches. It is known in Germany as
the 8x57I or in the USA as 8x57J. (I and J are interchangeable.) In 1905, the German military
adopted a slightly larger bullet diameter, .323 inches, also with a slightly larger neck diameter,
and named it 8x57S. Commercial sporting arms makers adopted the new cartridge at a glacial
pace. Rimmed versions of both these cartridges are available for use in break-open and single
shot rifles, denominated respectively 8x57JR and 8x57JRS. Often, it is difficult to ascertain
which bore size a vintage rifle might have. Markings can be confusing and rifles may have been
altered. The only safe way to determine the exact bore size is to take a cast of the chamber
extending a bit into the bore proper and measure it with a micrometer. It may be safe to shoot a .
318 inch bullet in a .323 inch bore, but accuracy will be unpredictable. To shoot a .323 inch
bullet in a .318 inch bore is dangerous.

Safety - A device, incorporated into the design of most firearms actions that, when engaged,
should prevent the discharge of the firearm. Some safeties are more positive than others. A safety
device is not a perfect substitute for the general principles of responsible gun handling. Never
point a gun in a direction you do not intend to shoot.  Photo

Safety Lug - An extra flange behind the bolt handle, at the rear of a bolt action receiver (notably
the Mauser Model 1898), which uses the bolt handle as an extra locking surface in the extremely
unlikely event of forward bolt lug failure.  Photo

Scalloped receiver - Extra detail on a boxlock gun where the rear edge of the receiver is carved
into any of a variety of curved shapes where it joins the buttstock instead of being left in a simple
straight vertical line. Also called Fancy-back.  Photo

Scheutzen Rifle - A single-shot rifle of German conception for off-hand target shooting.
Typically heavy, with long (often fluted octagonal) barrel, high comb with prominent sculptured
cheekpiece, palm rest and extended-curve buttplate.  Photo

Schnabel - Stock detail, typical of German and Austrian rifles, where the forend tip flares out to
an enlarged knob.  Photo
Scope Blocks - A pair of small dovetailed steel bases, screwed usually one to the barrel and one
to the front receiver ring of a rifle, to accept mounts for target scopes such as the Unertl where
the scope is allowed to move forward in the rings under the recoil of the rifle and which typically
carry the windage and elevation adjustments in the mount. Also, Target Blocks.  Photo

Scott's Crossbolt - A tapered square bar, operated by the opening lever of a break-open side-by-
side gun, passing transversely through the standing breech and a matching square hole in a rib
extension; to strengthen the lock-up. Photo

Scott's Spindle - A type of fastening actuator for a break-open gun consisting of a vertical shaft,
rotated by a lever on the top of an action body, operating a cam fixed to its bottom, which when
rotated, withdraws (typically) a Purdey bolt which unlocks the barrels allowing the gun to open.
Patented by William M Scott in 1865.  Photo

Sear - A sharp bar, resting in a notch (or in British: "bent") in a hammer (or in British:
"tumbler"), holding the hammer back under the tension of the mainspring. When the trigger is
pulled, the sear moves out of its notch, releasing the hammer and firing the gun.

Self-Opening (Assisted Opening) - Attribute of a break-open gun whereby the barrels drop
down simply by pressing the toplever without muscling them open manually. The Holland &
Holland system utilizes a coil spring within a cylindrical housing mounted just ahead of the
forward lump to urge the barrels open. The Purdey system utilizes residual energy remaining in
the mainspring after the gun has been fired. Both systems enable a shooter to load more quickly
when birds are coming fast.   Photo

Selous Plates - Form-fitting panels of thin sheet steel inletted and screwed onto both sides of the
wrist of a shoulder-fired weapon, either as a reinforcement or repair. Named for the famed
African hunter Frederic Courtney Selous.  Photo

Semi-Automatic [Action] - A type of firearm which, utilizing some of the recoil or some of the
expanding-gas energy from the firing cartridge, cycles the action to eject the spent shell, to
chamber a fresh one from a magazine and to cock the mainspring, placing the gun in position for
another shot with nothing more needing to be done than to provide another pull on the trigger.
Autoloader. Often erroneously referred to as automatic---but automatic actually refers to a
machine gun. The Colt Model 1911 pistol and the Browning Auto-5 are semi-automatic designs.

Shot Sizes -  Table

Sideclips - A pair of small beveled flanges extending forward from the sides of the standing
breech of a shotgun, mating with similarly beveled edges of the breech end of the barrels;
reinforcing the barrels against lateral movement while firing.  Photo

Sidelock - A type of action on a break-open gun where the lockwork (hammer, sear, mainspring
etc.) is mounted to the back side (inside) of a plate (or pair of plates for a double gun). A
sidelock is superior to a boxlock because: 1. Less steel needs be removed from the bar of the
action; the action is therefore stronger. 2. The lock plates provide a larger canvas for the
engraver's art. 3. Sidelocks have generally been considered a more aesthetically pleasing form. 4.
They are often made with secondary, or intercepting, safety sears. 5. Trigger pulls theoretically
may be adjusted more precisely. 6. Because of all the above, most makers building a range of
guns have usually reserved the sidelock action for their better grades of guns; this last being the
most relevant reason why sidelocks are generally considered superior to boxlocks.   Photo     See
also: Boxlock

Sidepanels - Flat protrusions along the side of a rifle stock, to reinforce the stock in the area
weakened by wood having been removed to receive the action. Or, A flat area on the side of the
head of a stock of a break-open gun. This sidepanel allows more wood in the area in contact with
the receiver, allowing a stouter wood-to-metal connection, without resulting in an ungainly bulky
line to the wrist.  Photo

Sideplates - Decorative steel plates mounted to the sides of a boxlock break-open gun, inletted
into the receiver and into the wood just behind it, to make the gun resemble a sidelock in
appearance and to provide a greater area for engraving. Sideplated guns, usually, can be
recognized by the lack of action pins visible in the sideplates (although some sideplated guns are
built with fake pins).  Photo

Silver's Pad - A very traditional English recoil pad made of solid orange/red rubber with smooth
sides and face, bonded to a black base. Two conspicuous matching flush-fitting rubber plugs
cover the mounting screws. Originally made by S. W. Silver & Co., the name is often used to
describe both the original and several veritable facsimiles.  Photo

Single Action - An action type, typical on handguns, where the hammer must be cocked
manually prior to each shot (if it be a revolver) or prior to the first shot with an already loaded
chamber and de-cocked hammer (if it be a semi-automatic).  Photo

Single Set Trigger - A single trigger, operating at a normal 4 - 6lb pull, which when pushed
forward converts to a hair trigger. This trigger is usually fitted with a small set screw to adjust
the weight of the hair trigger.  Photo

Skeet Gun - A double-barrel shotgun with relatively short barrels and relatively open chokes,
used for the game of Skeet, which requires crossing shots at clay pigeons at relatively close
range that can travel with high angular velocity. A skeet gun is normally heavier than a field gun
because one shoots a lot but walks only a little. Two barrels are required because the game calls
for shooting doubles---but, theoretically an infernal contraption repeater could be used.

Skeet Set - A shotgun built for the sole purpose of competition in the specific game of skeet
where one must shoot the course separately with four different gauges: 12, 20, 28 and .410. By
using four different interchangeable barrel sets on the same receiver/stock, the dimensions of the
stock remain constant and all the barrel sets can be weighted identically.  Photo

Skeet tubes - Interchangeable sub-calibre, full-length liner tubes that fit into the barrels of a
shotgun to reduce the gauge without using a different gun or a different barrel set. Skeet tubes
allow one to shoot the required different gauges in competition skeet without having to invest in
a set of guns, invest in a Skeet Set of barrels or adjust to using different guns. While not as good
as a Skeet Set because the barrels with tubes fitted will have different weights than the primary
12 gauge barrel set alone, such an arrangement is less expensive.  Photo

Skeleton Buttplate; Skeleton Grip Cap - A steel rim, surrounding and protecting the edge of
the butt (or of the pistol grip) of a long gun allowing the wood to show through---which is
normally checkered. Popularized by Parker Brothers.  Photo

Sleeved barrels - An economical method of bringing new life to a damaged pair of barrels,
regardless of their original method of jointing. The ribs are removed. The barrels are cut off 3" -
4" from the breech end and discarded. The bores of the remaining breech-end are reamed out
oversize. New tubes are fitted down into the original breech section and filed down to fit flush.
The original ribs are then replaced.

Sleeving is considerably less expensive than building a completely new set of barrels. Much of
the time required to build a set of barrels is concentrated in the fitting of the breech end to the
receiver; this work is salvaged through sleeving. Sleeving can be recognized by a pair of
circumferential lines around the barrels a few inches from the breech; the more invisible, the
finer the job. A sleeved gun should always be identified as such amongst the proof marks, and if
done in England must be properly reproofed.

Sleeving is not the same thing as Monoblocking. Monoblock barrels are built that way from new,
using a solid homogeneous machined lump of steel for the entire breech end of the barrel set.
Sleeved barrels involve fitting new tubes into what may look at a glance to be a monoblock but
which most likely had been assembled from two separate tubes and lumps by a variety of
different methods.

Sling Swivel - A slender steel bale about which a carry sling is folded. May be permanently
affixed or quick-detachable. Photo

SMLE - Short Magazine Lee Enfield. The standard British Army rifle from around 1895 to
1957.

Snap Action - An early break-open action design whereby one pushes forward on a spring-
loaded underlever to drop the barrels. One then closes the gun simply by raising the barrels and
the action snaps closed. Easier to operate than a Jones Underlever which normally must be
locked manually.  Photo

Snap Caps - Dummy cartridges with spring-loaded "primers" used to test the mechanical
functioning of a firearm, particularly the trigger pulls, hammer-fall and ejector-timing of a break-
open gun. It is not advisable to dry-fire a break-open gun on an empty chamber. Hardened steel
parts can shatter without the soft brass primer to act as a shock absorber. Snap caps cushion the
blow of the hammer and firing-pin when the use of a live cartridge would be impractical.  Photo

Snaphance - An early type of ignition system for muzzle-loading firearms; a spring-loaded lock
whereby upon pulling a trigger, a hammer holding a flint falls, striking a steel frizzen and while
pushing it forward scrapes particles from its surface, which as sparks, fall into a flashpan
containing a priming charge of fine gunpowder, igniting first it and then, through a touchhole,
the main propellant charge. A separate pan-cover would allow the gun to be carried loaded, but
for safety, not cocked. Photo

Southgate Ejectors - A type of mechanism, built into the forend of a break-open firearm,
utilizing a spring and an over-center cam to kick out a spent shell while only raising an unfired
shell far enough to remove manually. Photo

Spirit Level Front Sight -  A front sight with a bubble-level to allow careful orientation of a
rifle in a level position, avoiding canting. Seen in better quality long range target rifles and
"buffalo" guns.  Photo

spl or Splinter Forend - A slender English-style forend on a break-open gun, designed to retain
the barrels on the receiver when the gun is opened and to house the ejectors---not necessarily to
provide a hand-hold. Splinter forend guns are more properly grasped by the barrels just ahead of
the forend. The closer one's hand is to the line of the bore and to the line of sight, the better one's
hand-to-eye coordination. Many people consider the splinter forend more graceful than a
beavertail forend on a classic double gun.  Photo

Squarebridge - The shape of (most often) the rear receiver bridge of a bolt action. Popularized
by Mauser on their Model 98 commercial sporting actions, providing an extra mass of steel onto
which or into which a skilled gunsmith could integrate a (typically quick-release) scope mount.
Mauser supplied integral scope mounts on their commercial rifles, to order. When the front
receiver bridge is also enlarged square, it is a double-squarebridge. Such rifles are rare---beware
of fakes. Often incorporated into the design of quality bolt actions made for the custom gun trade
today.   Photo

SRC or Saddle Ring Carbine - A carbine with a ring fitted to the side of the receiver. Such a
firearm may be attached to a saddle with a lanyard.  Photo

SST or Single Selective Trigger - A single trigger with some sort of switch to change the order
of firing of a pair of barrels.  Photo

ST - Single [non-selective] Trigger - Single triggers are better than double triggers because with
the trigger always in a constant position one does not even have to consider changing one's hand
position and because there is one less thing to think about when concentrating on the target. A
single trigger is usually easier for people used to pump, semi-automatic and bolt-action guns. A
plain single trigger is simpler and usually more reliable than a selective single trigger.

Stalking Safety - A safety catch fitted to a hammer gun where a sliding bar moves into a slot in
the inner wall of the hammer base, locking it in place in the cocked position. The safety can then
be released silently by sliding the tab, avoiding the game-startling sound of the hammer cocking. 
Photo
Standing Breech - The face of the action of a break-open firearm which houses the firing pins
and receives the direct recoil of the fired round.  Photo

Star - A five-pointed Star - A mark used by Smith & Wesson to indicate a revolver that has been
returned to the factory for repair or refinishing. On the face of a Colt cylinder, it indicates
"Machine Gun" steel.  Photo

Star Gauged Barrels - Barrels made for US Springfield Model 1903 rifles by Springfield
Armory and Rock Island Arsenal, measured internally for precision of boring and rifling, by
hand, throughout their full length with a special feeler gauge and subsequently marked at the
bottom of the muzzle with a circular six-pointed star. Used first on National Match rifles, this
star is reputed to be the sign of a particularly accurate barrel---although William Brophy and E C
Crossman had their doubts. Photo

Steel Shot - Shotgun shot pellets of steel, designed as a non-toxic substitute for traditional lead
shot. Unlike lead, steel pellets do not deform as they pass through the choke of a shotgun barrel.
Steel shot should not, therefore, be fired through a tight choke (anything more than .015"
constriction in a 12 gauge) or greater pressure will be generated than the gun was designed to
handle. The result will be a ring bulge near the barrel's muzzle. Thankfully, also because steel
pellets do not deform, fewer pellets are lost from the bulk of the pattern so steel shot patterns
more tightly than lead. Although steel shot has less specific gravity than lead and therefore does
not carry as far, within its effective range less choke constriction is needed for steel shot to
achieve the same pattern density as lead. Click for relative physical characteristics of lead and
steel shot.

STFK - Short tang, flat knob pistol grip (Browning)

St.m.G. - Stahlmantle Geschoss. German proofmark indicating a rifle barrel suitable for use with
steel-jacketed bullets.

Stocked to the Fences - A detail, typical of traditional London "Best" guns, whereby the head of
the stock comes fully up to the fences. On lesser guns, a bit of receiver forging is visible just
behind the fences.  Photo

Stovepipe - Especially in a semi-automatic pistol, the tendency of a cartridge to fail to chamber

properly because it has approached the loading ramp at the wrong angle and to become pinioned
by the rear edge of the ejection port, causing a jam. Or, the event of the fired case failing to clear
the ejection port and becoming caught between the rear of the port and the breech end of the
barrel. Also: Smokestack.

STRK - Short tang, round knob, semi-pistol grip (Browning) 

str or Straight English-style grip - Considered by many to be sleeker and more aesthetically
pleasing than a pistol grip. It helps reduce the weight of a gun. Some consider it faster to use in
field-shooting situations where the opportunity for a shot may come unexpectedly.  Photo
Straddle Floorplate - A hinged plate covering the bottom of a rifle magazine and extending
rearward on either side of the triggerguard. This design allows it to be more securely fastened for
one more imperceptible step towards total reliability. Photo

Striker - British for Firing Pin.

Stutzen - German for a short rifle or carbine.

Swivel - On a sidelock action, a connecting shackle fitted between the lower hook of the
mainspring and the forward arm of the tumbler. This layout allows a faster lock time than with a
Boxlock. The swivel causes the angle of the force applied to the hammer to change as the
hammer falls, maintaining pressure and even increasing it as the mainspring's energy is released. 
Photo

SxS or Side by Side (barrels) - Side-by-side barrels are better than over & under barrels because
they have a broader and more quickly-acquired sighting plane. Although one should always
concentrate on the target and not the gun, in field shooting, having subliminal consciousness of
the position of the barrels is a real aid to throwing the shot towards a suddenly-appearing moving
target. Although not as precise, it is quicker to find the broad crosshairs of a hunting telescopic
sight than the fine crosshairs of a target scope. Side-by-side guns are easier to load than over &
under guns because the barrels do not need to be opened to as wide an angle (gape) for cartridges
to clear the standing breech. Side-by-side guns traditionally have been considered more elegant
of line than over & under guns.

        Index:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  M  N  P  R  S  T     Hallowell & Co., Fine Sporting
Guns

Take-Apart - Most anything that has been assembled by man can be disassembled by man---
often with the aid of tools. A "Take-Apart" firearm is one designed to anticipate relative ease of
disassembly, but which may still require the use of a tool. Example: A bolt action rifle, the
barreled action of which may be easily removed from the stock, with the barrel still affixed to the
action.

Takedown - A firearm that can be separated into (at least) two subassemblies in order to make a
shorter package than when put together---without tools. There is no specific requirement
regarding how this disassembly must be accomplished; the mechanical design is up to the
creativity of the maker. This arrangement allows for more convenient transportation of a firearm,
but with rifles, where the action normally separates from the barrel, usually at a small sacrifice in
accuracy.  Photo

Tangent Sight - A style of rear sight, typically used on rifles for either slow-moving bullets or
for long ranges, whereby a ladder may be raised from flush with the barrel to a vertical position,
and which incorporates a sliding crossbar which may be moved vertically in order to achieve
significant elevation. Photo
Target Blocks - A pair of small dovetailed steel bases, screwed usually one to the barrel and one
to the front receiver ring of a rifle, to accept mounts for target scopes such as the Unertl where
the scope is allowed to move forward in the rings under the recoil of the rifle and which typically
carry the windage and elevation adjustments in the mount. Also, Scope Blocks.  Photo

Teardrops - Small, raised-carved details on either side of a double gun, behind the lockplates of
a sidelock or behind the flat sidepanels of a boxlock, in the shape of teardrops. Also called
dropper points.  Photo

Throat - The beginning of the bore of a rifled firearm. The transition between the chamber and
the rifling. The area most vulnerable to erosion from high velocity cartridges.

Through Bolt - A simple method of attaching a buttstock to a break-open firearm's receiver.

Rather than using the traditional English method of upper and lower tang screws, augmented by
positioned triggerplates, action screws and triggerguard screws---one long bolt only, extends
from a longitudinal hole in the end of the butt, through the wrist to the rear of the receiver. The
steel bolt has the advantage of reinforcing the weak wrist area as well as snugging the stock
tightly against the receiver, even in the case of less than totally perfect inletting. It has the
disadvantage of making it more difficult for a gunsmith to bend a stock for better fit to the
shooter. Common on Browning Superposed and Perazzi shotguns. Normally built with a short
triggerguard tang for ease of disassembly.  Photo

Thumbhole Stock - A rifle stock, with a sculptured throughole at the wrist for the thumb, said to
be more ergonometric to hold than a traditional stock. Apart from being slower to mount, totally
useless for a counter-dexterous person, it is so unmitigatedly graceless as to be beneath
consideration.  Photo

Toe - The bottom of the butt-end of a gun stock.

Toplever - A lever on a break-open gun mounted to the top of the receiver which, when pushed
with the thumb (normally) to the right, operates (usually) a Scott Spindle, which in turn
withdraws (usually) a Purdey Underbolt from the bites in the lumps of the barrels, allowing them
to hinge downwards and the gun to open.  Photo

Trap Gun - A shotgun, often with only a single relatively-long barrel, with relatively tight choke
boring and a relatively high-combed stock used for shooting clay pigeons in the game of Trap,
where the birds are launched at least 16 yards ahead, usually rising and going away from the
shooter at relatively low angular velocity. To better absorb recoil, a trap gun is normally heavier
than a field gun because one shoots a lot but walks only a little.  Photo

Trapdoor - As in Trapdoor buttplate or Trapdoor Pistol Grip Cap---one of these articles of

furniture including a hinged plate, covering a small compartment below in which may be stored
several extra cartridges, sight bits, extra springs or pins, cleaning rod, etc.  Photo

Trigger - The small lever on a cartridge firearm, which one pulls to cause the spring-loaded
firing pin to impact the primer, causing the gun to discharge. Normally, the trigger simply
connects to the sear. Pulling the trigger moves the sear out of its notch, releasing the spring-
loaded hammer to strike the firing pin which in turn strikes the primer; or the coilspring-loaded
firing pin directly. Other, often-Germanic systems have their own miniature lockwork which,
when cocked, allows an exceedingly light trigger pull to discharge the firearm---a setting that
would be perilous to carry in the field.   Photo   See also: Single Set Trigger,  Double Set Trigger
and Release Trigger.

Triggerplate Action or Round Action - Originated by MacNaughton, furthered by Dickson and

then by David McKay Brown. The lockwork is behind the receiver, mounted to the triggerplate.
Little steel needs be machined from the bar of the action, allowing it to be smaller and more
streamlined than Anson&Deeley or Sidelock actions---truly rounded on the underside---while
maintaining required strength. And, less wood needs to be removed from the head of the stock,
strengthening the wood-to-metal connection.  Photo

Try Gun - Typically a shotgun, a firing model or not; typically English or pre-war American,
built with multiple adjustments for length of pull, drop at comb and heel as well as cast-off. Not
built for retail sale, but used by custom gunmakers to establish the proper stock dimensions for a
client ordering a custom fitted (or bespoke) gun.  Photo

Tumbler - British for Hammer; particularly inside a "hammerless" gun.

Tunnel Claw Mount - A claw [scope] mount with openings through which a shooter can use a
rifle's iron sights without removing the scope.

Turnscrew - An expensive English screwdriver.  Photo

Twilight Sight - A rifle front sight with a extra-large, folding bead. Typically, in addition to the
normal fine bead (which allows for accuracy) the larger bead, while at a cost of potential
accuracy, is more readily acquired in marginal light. Also called a Gloaming sight.  Photo

VC Case - A Very Compact trunk case with a wood frame, covered in leather or cloth, typically
for a taken-down double shotgun, wherein to save space, the toe of the stock slides under the
muzzle end of the barrels. Also called a Toe-Under case.   Photo

Vernier Tang Sight - A tall (usually folding) aperture/peep sight, mounted to the upper rear tang
of a rifle, adjustable over a wide range of elevation (and sometimes windage) suitable for long
range shooting with a long screw-adjustment and stadia lines for accurate adjustment and
repetition of settings.  Photo

Vierling - A four-barreled gun, typically with two identical shotgun barrels and with two rifle
barrels of differing calibres. Built primarily in Germany and Austria. Rare.  Photo

VR or Ventilated Rib - Designed to help cool and more particularly to direct the shimmering
hot air that rises from hot barrels away from the line of sight in order to reduce disturbance in the
view of the target. Ventilated ribs are useful on target guns, but less desirable on field guns
where small twigs and other detritus can become lodged in the openings under the rib.  Photo
Walnut - The type of wood most commonly used for gunstocks because of its combination of
attributes: lightness and resilience to shock, its close grain, ease and predictability of working
and its handsome appearance. Several different types of walnut are English/French/Circassian
(Juglans Regia), American Black (Juglans Nigra), Bastogne and Claro.  Photo

Watertable - The top of the bar of the action, the flat projection on the front of the receiver of a
side-by-side gun, perpendicular to the standing breech. The cocking arms, hingepin and locking
bolts are typically mounted inside the bar, below the watertable. The Table, or the Action Flat. 
Photo

Wedding Band - A ring-shaped transition between the octagon and round sections of a gun
barrel.  Photo

Wheellock - An early system of ignition for muzzle-loading firearms where a steel wheel is
wound up a partial turn against a spring and set with a catch. An arm, holding a flint, is manually
lowered to the edge of the wheel. Upon the pull of a trigger, the wheel revolves smartly,
producing sparks which ignite the main propellant charge. Photo

Widow's Peak - A pointed detail where one material joins another. As at the top of a buttplate or
under a forend tip.  Photo

Windage - Adjusting the point of impact of a firearm in the horizontal plane; the knob used on
an iron sight or telescopic sight to move the point of impact in traverse, right or left, to
compensate for the effects of wind.

Wrist - The thinnest section of the stock of a long gun between the receiver and the butt, gripped
by the trigger-hand. The most vulnerable part of a gunstock.  Photo

Wundhammer Swell - A bulge in the side of the pistol grip of a stock designed fill the palm of
the hand and offer the shooter a more comfortable, repeatable hold on his gun. Palmswell.
Named for the American gunsmith who promoted it, Ludwig Wundhammer.  Photo

XXV - A designation used by Robert Churchill when promoting his signature 25-inch shotgun
barrels. He maintained that 25 inches was the ideal length for shotgun barrels because they
utilized all of the energy of modern powders and they provided a gun of livelier handling
characteristics than more traditional, longer barrels, particularly when fitted with his high,
narrow, matted, tapered rib.  Photo