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Energy Transitions and the Future of

the African Energy Sector: Law, Policy


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Energy Transitions and
the Future of the
African Energy Sector
Law, Policy and Governance
Edited by Victoria R. Nalule
Energy Transitions and the Future of the African
Energy Sector
Victoria R. Nalule
Editor

Energy Transitions
and the Future
of the African
Energy Sector
Law, Policy and Governance
Editor
Victoria R. Nalule
School of Social Sciences, CEPMLP
University of Dundee
Dundee, UK

ISBN 978-3-030-56848-1 ISBN 978-3-030-56849-8 (eBook)


https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56849-8

© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2021
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher,
whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting,
reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical
way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software,
or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this
publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt
from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the
authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained
herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with
regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Cover illustration: Mo Semsem/gettyimages

This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
To the African Youth, may you be inspired by this book to actively take part
in shaping the future of the African energy sector
Acknowledgements

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed


chapters to this book. A special thanks go out to Ayebare Rukundo
Tom for coming up with the brilliant idea of having an edited
African book project featuring different experts. I also do sincerely
thank Noreen Kidunduhu and Hendrica Rabophala for their editorial
assistance. I again sincerely thank Rachael Ballard and Joanna O’Neil
for their help in getting the work published on time. The African
Energy and Minerals Management Initiative (AEMI) was also instru-
mental in bringing together different African experts (www.afrienergymi
nerals.org).

vii
Contents

Part I Introduction

1 How to Respond to Energy Transitions in Africa:


Introducing the Energy Progression Dialogue 3
Victoria R. Nalule
1.1 Introduction: Aim of the Book 3
1.2 The Future and Role of Fossil Fuels in Africa
in the Energy Transition Era 7
1.3 Introducing the Energy Progression Dialogue:
Energy Progression V Energy Transitions 14
1.4 Energy Transition Indicators in African
Countries: Legal Analysis 23
1.5 Outline of the Book 29
References 33

ix
x Contents

2 African Energy Challenges in the Transition Era: The


Role of Regional Cooperation 37
Macdonald Irowarisima
2.1 Introduction 37
2.2 Overview of the Character of Energy Resource
in Sub-Saharan Africa Through the Lens
of Ecowas and SADC Regions 41
2.3 Current Energy Challenges Applicable
to ECOWAS and SADC 49
2.4 Areas of Regional Cooperative Role in Tackling
the Energy Challenge 58
2.5 Conclusion/Recommendation 67

3 Energy Transition in Africa: Context, Barriers


and Strategies 73
Noreen Kidunduhu
3.1 Introduction 73
3.2 Energy Landscape in Africa 78
3.3 Barriers to the Energy Transition 85
3.4 Countermeasures and Suggestions 95
3.5 Conclusion 104
Bibliography 106

4 Nuclear Energy & Energy Transitions: Prospects,


Challenges and Safeguards in Sub-Saharan Africa 113
Susan Nakanwagi
4.1 Introduction 113
4.2 Nuclear Energy: Access to Energy and Climate
Change 116
4.3 The International Legal Order on Nuclear Energy 122
4.4 The Development and Regulation of Nuclear
Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons
from the EU and France 127
4.5 Recommendations and Conclusions 131
Bibliography 133
Contents xi

Part II Geographies of Energy Transition: Managing the


Decline of Fossil Fuels in Africa

5 Role of Law in the Energy Transitions in Africa:


Case Study of Nigeria’s Electricity Laws and Off-Grid
Renewable Energy Development 141
Michael Uche Ukponu, Yusuf Sulayman, and Kester Oyibo
5.1 Introduction 141
5.2 Overview of Nigeria’s Renewable Energy
Regulatory Framework 146
5.3 A Critical Analysis of the Conflict of Electricity
Laws 151
5.4 Contemporary Approaches to Actualizing Rapid
Renewable Energy Development from Legal
and Governance Perspectives 165
5.5 Conclusion 178
Bibliography 180

6 The Status and Future of Charcoal in the Energy


Transition Era in Sub-Saharan Africa: Observations
from Uganda 189
Catherine Nabukalu and Reto Gieré
6.1 Introduction 189
6.2 Environmental and Health Implications
of Charcoal Production and Consumption 191
6.3 Methodology 194
6.4 The Status of Raw Material Procurement
for Charcoal Production in Africa 195
6.5 Charcoal in the Final Market 203
6.6 Optionality in the Energy Mix: When
Consumers Choose Charcoal Over Modern
Alternatives 209
6.7 Beyond Market Dynamics: Infrastructural
Barriers to the Consumption of Modern Energy
Alternatives in Africa 212
xii Contents

6.8 Charcoal in International Markets and Africa’s


Role as a Major Exporter 215
6.9 Summary and Conclusions 219
References 222

7 Will a Transition to Renewable Energy Promote


Energy Security Amid Energy Crisis in Nigeria? 231
Cosmos Nike Nwedu
7.1 Introduction 231
7.2 Energy Security in Energy Transition Regime:
The Case of Nigeria 233
7.3 Forms and Prospects of Renewables for Energy
Security in Nigeria 238
7.4 Overcoming Renewable Energy Development
Challenges in Nigeria 251
7.5 Conclusion 257
Bibliography 258

8 Renewable Energy Development in Egypt


and Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy 265
Mostafa Elshazly
8.1 Introduction 265
8.2 The Institutional Structure of the Egyptian
Energy Sector 268
8.3 Legal Measures and Policies in Place that Address
the Promotion and Management of Renewable
Forms of Energy and Energy Efficiency 271
8.4 Progress of Renewable Energy Projects in Egypt 277
8.5 Challenges Hindering Renewable Energy Projects
in Egypt 279
8.6 Proposed Measures to Encourage Players
in the Hydrocarbon Sector to Reduce Their
Carbon Footprint/Emissions 282
8.7 Conclusion 284
References 285
Contents xiii

9 Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy


and Renewable Energy Developments in Uganda:
Challenges and Opportunities for Small-Scale
Renewable Energy 287
Marvin Tumusiime
9.1 Introduction 287
9.2 Main Constraints to Uganda’s Efforts
to Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy 289
9.3 How Can Uganda Effectively Transition
to a Low-Carbon Economy? 292
9.4 What Are the Transition Needs for Small-Scale
Renewable Energy? 299
9.5 Conclusion 303
References 304

Part III Extractives in the Energy Transition Era: Key


Concepts

10 Local Content Policies in the Energy Transition


Era in Africa: A Case Study of the East African Oil
and Gas Industry 311
Rukonge S. Muhongo
10.1 Introduction 311
10.2 Breaking the Enclave in the East African Oil
and Gas Industry 315
10.3 Factors Affecting Local Content Design in East
Africa 318
10.4 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Local
Content Policies 323
10.5 The Norwegian and Nigerian Case Study:
Lessons to Be Drawn for Emerging
Resource-Rich Countries 326
10.6 Analysis of the Norwegian and Brazilian Local
Content Regimes 329
xiv Contents

10.7 Lessons for Emerging Oil and Gas Producers


Such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 331
10.8 Creating a Regional Content Policy for the Oil
and Gas Industry in East Africa 333
10.9 Conclusion 335
Bibliography 337

11 Social Licence to Operate in the Energy Transition


Era: Case Study of the East African Oil and Gas Sector 341
Wairimu Karanja and Nduta Njenga
11.1 Introduction to Social Licence to Operate 341
11.2 The State of Oil and Gas and SLO in East Africa 347
11.3 East African Oil and Gas Laws in Relation
to SLO 353
11.4 Corporate and Government Initiatives to Seek
SLO in East Africa 360
11.5 Conclusion 365
Bibliography 366

12 Gender Justice in the Energy Transition Era:


Exploring Gender and Technology in the Extractives
Sector 371
Alaka Lugonzo and Kennedy Chege
12.1 Introduction 371
12.2 Why It Is Imperative to Include Women
in the Global Economy 375
12.3 The Need for Automation in the Extractives
Industries 378
12.4 Sector Outlook: The Position of Women
in the Extractives Sector 380
12.5 Artificial Intelligence and the Future
of Extractives 384
12.6 Proposed Solutions to the Challenge of Gender
Inclusivity in the Extractives Sectors 385
12.7 Conclusion 391
Bibliography 393
Contents xv

13 A Critical Intertemporal Analysis of Uganda’s Fiscal


Regime in the Energy Transition Era: Are Uganda’s
Upstream Projects Still Viable? 397
Ayebare Rukundo Tom
13.1 Introduction 397
13.2 Literature Review 399
13.3 Methodology—Evaluation of Economics
of Fiscal Terms and Alternative Regime 406
13.4 Results and Analysis 409
13.5 Conclusion 424
References 425

14 Energy Transitions and Environmental Protection:


Environmental Impact of the Oil and Gas Production
Activities in South Sudan 429
Peter Reat Gatkuoth
14.1 Introduction 429
14.2 Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas in South
Sudan 431
14.3 Legal Framework Regulating the Oil and Gas
Impacts on the Environment 437
14.4 Conclusion 446
Bibliography 447

15 Steadfast for East Africa: Powering Energy Dreams


Through Regional Cooperation 449
Japhet Miano Kariuki
15.1 Introduction 449
15.2 Energy Investments in East Africa: Issues
of Concern 451
15.3 Integrated Feed-in Tariff Structure for the East
African Community: Lessons from Thailand 455
15.4 Conclusion 462
References 464
xvi Contents

Part IV Epilogue

16 Extractives and Beyond: Managing the Energy


Transition in Africa 469
Victoria R. Nalule

Index 473
Notes on Contributors

Kennedy Chege (Kenyan national) is Ph.D. Law student at the Univer-


sity of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa, and a Researcher at the
NRF/DST SARChI: Mineral Law in Africa (MLiA) Research Chair
at UCT. His Doctoral research relates to mining law, specifically Oil
and Gas Law, incorporating aspects of Competition/Antitrust Law.
Kennedy is also a practitioner in Africa’s largest law firm, ENSafrica,
dealing with matters relating to Mineral & Mining Law, Energy Law,
Competition/Antitrust Law and general corporate and commercial work.
Kennedy also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) Degree in Commercial
Law, coupled with Mining Law; a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Degree, and
a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) Degree majoring in Public Policy
and Administration, all from UCT. Kennedy’s interests transverse across
Mining and Mineral Law, Oil and Gas/Petroleum Law, Energy Law,
Energy Justice, Natural Resources Law, Resource Revenue Law/Taxation,
Dispute Resolution and related fields.
Dr. Mostafa Elshazly has diverse experience in legal aspects of Energy,
Mining, Oil and Gas (upstream and downstream) projects. He has

xvii
xviii Notes on Contributors

recently advised several International Oil Companies and other compa-


nies in different areas, furthermore he assists governmental bodies in
policymaking process, management and development of their natural
resources.
Before Joining ZH&P, Dr. Mostafa Elshazly worked in several places
including the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and The Egyptian General
Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) among others.
Dr. Mostafa holds a Ph.D. in Commercial Law from Cairo University,
he achieved his LL.B. from Faculty of Law (English Section), Alexan-
dria University in 2007, he is a part-time lecturer at several Egyptian
universities including Cairo University and he is an acting member of the
Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN). Dr. Elshazly
is the author of several articles and papers published by highly ranked
international journals.
Peter Reat Gatkuoth is currently a Director of General Services in
Nile Drilling and Services under the Minister of Petroleum in South
Sudan. Gatkuoth has served in various departments in Dar Petroleum
Operating Company that include Section Head for Policy and Services,
Section Head of Material Management, Director of Technical Services
and Director of General Services in Dar Petroleum until October 2019.
Prior to the abovementioned positions, Gatkuoth served in various
organizations and institutions in Western and Central Canada before
returning back to South Sudan. His positions away from home included
Settlement Counselor in Catholic Social Services (Edmonton), Employ-
ment Counselor in Open Door Society and West Care Facility Services
Branch Manager in the City of Regina and Saskatoon. He has a B.A.
in Sociology (Concordia University of Edmonton), M.A., Int’l Law and
Human Rights (UN Mandated University for Peace), LL.M. Oil and Gas
(Uganda Christian University) and he is currently pursuing a Master of
Public Policy in University of Juba.
Professor Reto Gieré is a Professor and the Chair of Earth and Envi-
ronmental Science programmes at the University of Pennsylvania. He
received his Ph.D. from ETH Zürich, Switzerland. He has held appoint-
ments at Purdue University, the Australian Nuclear Science & Tech-
nology Organization, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, and the Carnegie
Notes on Contributors xix

Institution for Science, among others. His broad research interests


involve environmental geochemistry, energy and waste, mineralogy and
petrology, and health impacts of atmospheric pollution. Reto is a
member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Centre for Excellence in
Environmental Toxicology (CEET). Additionally, Reto is an Editor of
the Journal of Petrology and the Chief Editor of the European Journal
of Mineralogy. He has supervised theses of 21 Ph.D. and 36 Masters
students.
Macdonald Irowarisima, Ph.D. is a Nigerian, born in Rivers State of
Nigeria in the early 1980s. Began his academic career in Nigeria. He
obtained his first school leaving certificate from Federal Government
College Kwali Abuja Nigeria. He later did a short certificate programme
at the College of Arts and Science, Aguda-Ama Epie, in Bayelsa State-
Nigeria. In 2015, he began his legal career studies at the Prestigious
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria where he graduated in 2008.
As part of the continued legal education, he enrolled at the Nigerian Law
School, Enugu State Chapter in Nigeria between 2008 and 2009. He did
his National Youth Service Corps programme in 2010 at the Petroleum
Technology Development Fund (PTDF) at the legal department of the
Fund. Afterwards, he decided to pursue an LL.M. master’s programme in
Energy Law and Policy between 2011 and 2012 at the Centre for Energy,
Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee, United Kingdom. The
author further proceeded and concluded a Doctorate degree in Energy
Law and Environmental Sustainability at the same University. The author
has a had few years of experience in legal practice in Nigeria and teaching
experiences. He was the Head of legal research team while undergoing
his legal practice at the Bola Aidi & Co Solicitors in Nigeria. Since
then, the author has been active in both collaborative research projects
like the United Nations project in conjunction with the Centre for
Energy Mineral Law and Law Policy at the University of Dundee on
how to assist nations transit from fossil fuel to renewable sources of
energy as a means of achieving energy security and efficiency. Macdonald
Irowarisima has co-authored an article titled ‘Identifying Policy and Legal
Issues for Shale Gas development in Algeria: A SWOT Analysis’. He is
List of Figures

Fig. 5.1 A mnemonical illustration of the conflicts existing


within Nigeria’s electricity regulatory framework 153
Fig. 6.1 Satellite image showing the location of Uganda’s
capital Kampala and of other major towns as well
as the districts mentioned in the text (labelled in
pink) and/or some of the sites investigated during the
field work. Image from Google Earth 2018 (Image
Landsat/Copernicus). DRC = Democratic Republic
of the Congo 193
Fig. 6.2 Rudimentary charcoal production in Uganda. a A
hand tool (panga) used in manual tree-felling; b A pile
of logs ready to be covered with damp soil; c Active
pyrolysis process showing the release of moisture from
the earth-mound kiln; d Tree regeneration in the
open forest near a charcoal production site (a–d were
taken near Naminato bridge in the Nwoya district);
e Manual harvesting using a rake near Kikumbi,
Mityana district; f Harvesting with bare hands while
packaging near Bulera, Mityana district 196

xxxi
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no related content on Scribd:
The cocking hook is an ingenious device found on American
shotguns and many variations of it are, of course, used on the
different makes of arms. The Parker gun is provided with a hook
working a slide, thus pulling the hammers to cock. In the Baker, a
bent arm is pivoted to the breech to serve the same purpose.
Another example of American ingenuity may be noted in the lug-
cocking devices used on the Ithaca and Fox guns. This simple
arrangement is made by connecting the toe of the hammer directly
with the lug, which is an integral part of the barrel. The hammer is
thus made to act as its own lever, for as the toe portion rises when
the barrel is opened, the striker falls back until it is caught in the
notch of the sear.
To guard against the possibility of accidental discharge of the
hammerless gun, in which type of gun the hammer must be always
at full cock, a safety trigger bolt is utilized. This bolt is affixed in the
frame in a vertical position by pivoting it, and to the upper part of the
lever is attached a slide placed on top of the tang immediately back
of the top lever which opens the barrels. As this safety slide is
pushed, the lower end of the lever is brought close up against the
triggers, blocking them, and thus prevents them from moving while
the safety is in the “on” position. To discharge the gun, the slide must
be pushed forward to the “off” position, which moves the lower end
away from the triggers. This type of safety is of the nonautomatic
variety and can only block the triggers when the slide is operated by
the shooter.
The automatic type of safety consists of a block, or bar, fitted in
the frame and extending from the safety bolt to the post of the top
lever. When the top lever is pushed to one side to open the barrels,
this block, or bar, pushes the safety bolt over the triggers,
automatically blocking them and preventing accidental discharge.
The triggers must be pressed to withdraw the automatic safety bar.
The Rotary Bolt, an American Invention, Is Strongest Device Known for
Locking the Barrels to the Frame

To make the shotgun less likely to go off in the hands of the


careless gunner, the tumbler safety has been incorporated into the
mechanism of a few American weapons. The tumbler safety is a bar,
automatically operated by the triggers, and interposed between the
strikers and their firing pins. This device makes it impossible for the
arm to be discharged by the hammer jarring off when dropped, for
the tumbler bar occupies its position between the strikers and firing
pins until the triggers are pulled.

The Three-Bolt Mechanism Is One Form of the Rotary-Bolting Principle Used


by Many Gun Builders

The practical value of both the automatic safety and the tumbler
type of bolt is questioned by practically all experienced gunners. Its
presence is designed to make the arm less dangerous in the hands
of careless and ignorant sportsmen. This it may serve to do, but
since there should be no excuse for tolerating the latter, most
handlers of the scatter gun fail to see the utility of the former. The
novice should lose no time in acquiring the knack of handling his
chosen weapon, and if he will but exercise a little care, he will find
the hand-operated safety quite sufficient, for he will not be troubled
through accidental discharge of his gun. By far the larger portion of
accidents occur through careless handling of the gun and by the
untimely pulling of the trigger, either by dragging the gun through the
brush or by nervousness, and it is impossible to make use of a
safety device to prevent the accidental discharge.

The Fore End Is an Extension of the Stock beyond the Triggers and the
Frame

The Barrels of a Shotgun

Between 15 and 20 years ago shotgun barrels were made by


combining bars of iron and steel and welding them together to form
barrels of the proper diameter or bore. When these strips of metal
were twisted to make a spiral tube they were welded together to
make the familiar “twist,” “laminated,” and “Damascus” barrels.
Sometimes three, four, and five strips of iron and steel were twisted
together to make the “three-stripe,” “four-stripe,” and “five-stripe”
Damascus barrels. This old type of a barrel was strong and flexible,
but being comparatively soft, it was easily damaged by denting.
The Comparative Sizes of a 20-Gauge and a 12-Gauge Repeating Shotgun

The modern compressed-steel barrels are fashioned from solid


drawn steel, are very hard, will stand much higher pressure than the
Damascus type, and since the process of manufacture is simpler, a
first-class steel barrel may be produced at one-quarter the cost of
the old type. The several manufacturers have adopted trade names
to distinguish the various grades of steel barrels. Various trade
names come from abroad, and those of American manufacture are
labeled “nitro-steel,” “armor steel,” “high-pressure steel,” etc. While
differences very likely exist in the quality of the different barrels sold
under the several names, all the barrels used by reputable gun
builders will be found amply strong to resist any pressure exerted by
ordinary charges of powder, hence the cheaper guns are perfectly
safe and will stand many years of hard shooting.

Locking the Barrels to the Frame

In the early models of the breech-loader the barrels were locked to


the frame with a bolt operated by a lever placed under the fore end.
All modern guns have the top-lever action. In this device a “lump” is
fastened to the under side of the barrels near the breech, forming a
hinged joint to which the fore end is attached when fitting the barrel
and stock together. When closed, the breech end of the barrels is
held down to the action and tight up against the breech by a slide, or
bolt, which fits into the “lump” attached underneath the barrels.
Different makers use various forms of top-lever bolting devices, as
the “hook rib” or “extension rib,” otherwise known as the “doll’s
head,” and the cross bolt first used by Greener, the celebrated
English gun builder. All of these devices are satisfactory on a good
grade of gun, but the strongest mechanism is an American invention,
known as the Smith rotary bolt. This rotary bolt is tapered and is
pushed through an opening in the rib by means of a strong spring.
Mechanically this locking device is all that can be desired, and it
cannot loosen through manipulation, because of its compensating
feature, that is, the spring forces the bolt farther in as the bearings
become worn through much service. Many of our well-known
builders use this splendid fastening.

Shotgun Stocks

Walnut is exclusively used for gunstocks, and the several grades


are termed plain American walnut, fine American walnut, English
walnut, selected English walnut, fine English walnut, Italian walnut,
and Circassian walnut. The plain American walnut is simply a
common quality of black walnut, oiled and varnished, and fitted on
the cheaper guns. Fine American walnut is of better quality, darker in
color, and of better grain. It is strong and durable, and when well
oiled and polished by hand, it makes a neat stock for the inexpensive
gun. The selected English walnut is of good color and with good
grain. When oiled and hand-polished it makes an attractive stock for
the knockabout gun. Fine English walnut is usually fitted to guns
selling at a higher price, and is generally made to order. Italian
walnut is a dark wood with a fine grain and is usually supplied to
order on the finest guns. Circassian walnut is the finest wood
obtainable, of a rich dark color and a fine curly grain. It is therefore
expensive and only finished to order and fitted to the most expensive
guns.

The Fore End

The fore end is an extension of the stock beyond the triggers and
frame and affords a grip for the extended hand—protecting it from
the hot barrel—serves to lock the barrel to the frame, and likewise
holds the ejector mechanism. The Deely & Edge, and Snal fore ends
are both used on American guns, and they are so well designed and
made that it is practically impossible for the modern types to loosen
even when the arm has been subjected to long, hard service. Hence
this detail of the shotgun need not be considered when selecting an
arm.

Self-Ejector Mechanism

Although a great many shooters do not use the self-ejector, this


handy device will many times prove of great value in the field, for
when the birds are coming fast and the shooter happens to score a
miss, the self-ejector throws out the empty shell and enables him to
shove in a fresh load to bring down the following bird. The
nonejecting arm is plenty good and quick enough for trap use, for
when shooting “clays,” plenty of time is given each man to reload
between shots, but for upland-bird and for duck shooting, the
automatic ejector is a desirable addition to the double-barreled gun.

Repeating and Automatic Shotguns

While a good double-barreled gun in the hands of the average


shot will very likely bag as many birds as the shooter is entitled to—
and it may be depended on to do this when fitted with a good
automatic ejector—many shooters prefer the repeating gun. The
hand-operated, sliding fore arm, trombone-action, or pump gun is so
well-known that no recommendation is needed. It will suffice to
mention that it will do everything that a double-barreled gun can
perform, and considering that every pump gun is self-ejecting, and
its cost less than an equal grade of double gun equipped with an
ejecting device, it is not difficult to understand its popularity. So far as
accuracy is concerned, the repeater will shoot rather more steadily
than the double-barreled gun in the hands of the average man, and
after two shots have been fired, there remain four more in the
magazine. Rapid firing is not always an advantage, of course, but
when after ducks, the third shot is often wanted in the interval that is
required to load the double-barreled gun.
The Shells are Started About One-Quarter Inch in the Regular Way Before the
Ejector Kicks Them Out

The automatic, or self-loading, shotgun is the logical development


of the repeater, and while its mechanism is necessarily more
complicated, it has some merits peculiarly its own. The devotee of
the double barrel is inclined to believe that the repeater and the
automatic shotgun do not balance so well as his favorite weapon,
and the man who swears by the pump gun is inclined to think that
the automatic arm is balanced like a club and prone to get out of
order. Both factions can put up plenty of argument to support their
opinions, but to the unprejudiced gunner, both the repeater and the
self-loader will prove very fine guns after the shooter has become
familiar in handling them. The double-barrel is a mighty fine gun, so
is the repeater and again the automatic; so let the gunner pick out
the type he likes best.

The Automatic Ejector Mechanism Enables the Gunner to Shove in a Fresh


Load for the Following Bird
A Self-Loading Shotgun in the Positions of the Action Open and Closed

How to Select a Shotgun

The Measurements are Taken of the Drop at the Comb and Heel, and of the
Stock from the Butt to the Forward Trigger

That the shooter may not be handicapped by using a misfit gun, it


is well to make a selection at one of the larger dealers’ where guns
of various sizes, weights and lengths, as well as drops in stocks,
may be tried until one is found that fits the gunner the best. A good
shot can pick up almost any gun and do fairly accurate shooting with
it, but he can do better work with a gun fitting him properly. The chief
measurements of a gunstock are the length and drop of the stock,
and the drop and shape of the comb. The ordinary thickness of the
grip will suit the average hand, but in the case of unusually large or
small hands, this must be taken into consideration. For the average
man these measurements will probably be about right: Length of
stock, from forward trigger to center of butt plate, A-A, 14 to 14¹⁄₂ in.,
drop at comb, B-B, 1¹⁄₂ to 1⁷⁄₈ in., which will give corresponding drop
at the heel, C-C, from 2¹⁄₂ to 3 in. A fairly straight stock of good
length may be reckoned an advantage for trap shooting, but for use
in the field, a somewhat crooked stock with more drop at the comb,
say, 1⁵⁄₈ in. with 2⁵⁄₈-in. drop at the heel, will more fully meet the
average shooter’s idea of a well-balanced gun. However, as men
differ, and there are as many faces and eyes as there are men,
every shooter must decide this question for himself. So far as the
circumference of the grip is concerned, the size of the shooter’s
hand and the length of his fingers will decide this detail. For a small
hand, a 7-in. grip is about right, while a grip of 7¹⁄₂ in. will probably fit
the large hand well. The question of straight or pistol grip is purely a
matter of personal taste, for one is as good as the other so far as
accurate handling of the gun is concerned.
A Repeating Shotgun and the Position of Its Different Parts When Cocked
and After Firing

The Gauge, or Size of Bore

The 10-gauge may be occasionally useful for long-range duck and


goose shooting, but for ordinary duck and upland use the 12-gauge
is plenty large enough. The larger the gauge the greater will be the
killing zone, and up to their ranges the small bores may, for all
practical purposes, be regarded as shooting quite as accurately and
with as much power as the heavier gauges, that is, the small bores
will shoot to kill if held correctly. The standard 12-gauge gun is fitted
with 30-in. barrels, weighs 7 to 8 lb., and the standard load for the
field is 3 dr. of powder and 1¹⁄₈ oz. of shot. This gives a killing range
up to 40 yd. The standard 16-gauge, with 30-in. barrels, weighs from
6¹⁄₂ to 7¹⁄₄ lb., and the standard load is 2¹⁄₂ dr. of powder and 1 oz. of
shot, with a killing range up to 35 yd. The standard 20-gauge, with
28-in. barrels, weighs from 5 to 6¹⁄₂ lb. and the standard load is 2¹⁄₄
dr. of powder and ⁷⁄₈ oz. of shot. Best killing range up to 30 yards.
For an all-purpose gun, suitable for wild fowling as well as upland
shooting, the 12-gauge is the best choice although the 16-gauge will
be found a hard-hitting weapon. For the good shot, the 20-gauge will
prove a fine little arm for upland work, only the gunner must shoot
well with the small bore to kill his bird clean. Contrary to the notion,
the large bore, not the small gauge, will bring the most game to the
novice’s bag.
Mission Candlestick
Even though a candlestick is one of the simplest of the smaller
household furnishings, it nevertheless can be made a very attractive
feature.
For the illustrated mission design, a base, 4 by 4 by ⁷⁄₈ in., should
be provided. This is cut, with the grain, for a ¹⁄₂-in.-wide groove, ¹⁄₄ in.
deep and extending from one side to within ¹⁄₂ in of the opposite
side. In this groove is to fit the handle, which is made from a piece of
¹⁄₂ by 2¹⁄₄ by 3³⁄₄-in. stock. It is provided with a finger-grip hole ³⁄₄ by
1¹⁄₄ in. at one end. Its upper edge should be marked off from the
center pedestal and fitted to it. The pedestal can be made from stock
1⁷⁄₈ by 1⁷⁄₈ by 5 in. A tenon, ¹⁄₄ in. long by 1¹⁄₄ in. square, is formed
on the lower end. This tenon is to fit a mortise in the center of the
base. A slot ¹⁄₂ in. wide is cut centrally in the pedestal, and 2 in.
above the lower end, to fit the handle. The upper end of the pedestal
is cut straight for ¹⁄₄ in. and squared off to 1¹⁄₈ in. This is to serve as a
tenon to fit a corresponding mortise in the ¹⁄₂ by 2-in. square top. The
sides of the pedestal are evenly tapered off from the 1⁷⁄₈-in. square
base to the lower end of the 1¹⁄₈-in. square tenon, at the top.
Mission Candlestick of Pleasing Design, That will Appear Well with Other
Furniture of This Class

The parts, before assembling, should be thoroughly sandpapered,


as considerable difficulty would otherwise be experienced. No nails
or screws need be used, as good glue will keep the parts together
equally well. When completely assembled, a hole should be drilled
through the top and into the pedestal, to fit the size of candle to be
used. A carefully applied mission stain and varnish will give a proper
finish to the candlestick.—Contributed by G. Crossley, Erie, Pa.
Pin Setter for the Home Tenpins
All the Tenpins are Quickly Set, and Each in Its Proper Place
Bowling with a set of small tenpins, which can be purchased at a
department store, is a very interesting game. The chief drawback,
however, is the setting of the pins. With a little rack like the one
shown in the illustration, the interest in the game may be increased
considerably. It not only helps in setting the pins rapidly, but insures
a good setting with the proper spacing between the pins. It is very
simple to make, as it consists of a triangular piece of wood with ten
holes bored into it at the proper places, the dimensions of which will
be governed by the size of the pins, and three supports. The pins are
dropped in the holes and the rack lifted from them.—Contributed by
F. K. Howard, Los Angeles, California.
Magically Naming a Written Card
This experiment consists in requesting anyone of a company of
spectators to name a card and write it on a piece of paper,
whereupon the performer instantly names the card written.
Two persons are necessary, the performer and his assistant. The
performer leaves the room while the spectator writes the name of the
card on the paper, the assistant supplying the paper and pencil.
When the name of the card is written, the paper is folded by the
spectator and handed to the assistant with the pen or pencil. The
assistant lays the pencil and paper on a table in certain positions to
designate the name of the card. Previous to this test, the performer
and the assistant must have the positions of the paper and pencil
mentally fixed in their minds. Referring to the sketch, the four sides
of the table represent the card suits, viz., spades, hearts, clubs, and
diamonds; and an imaginary circle divided into twelve parts indicates
the number of the card, 1 standing for ace, 2 for deuce, and so on.
The Markings are Memorized so That Only Positions of Pencil and Paper will
be Seen

The assistant, knowing what has been written on the paper, places
the paper to indicate the suit, and the pencil is laid so that it points to
the number on the imaginary circle, or dial. The one shown in the
sketch is designating the four of hearts.
Dry-Cleaning Mixture
An emulsion of gasoline and water is much used by dry cleaners
for removing grease, tar, and paint spots from clothing. It is in the
form of a thick, white sirup, which evaporates entirely and is not
injurious to any fabric or color. The directions for preparing this
emulsion should be followed out carefully.
Dissolve, in 1 qt. of boiling water, ¹⁄₂ oz. of pure castile soap, and
¹⁄₄ oz. of gum arabic. Allow this to cool, and then add 1 oz. glycerin,
1 oz. strong aqua ammonia, 1¹⁄₂ oz. chloroform, and 2 oz. sulphuric
ether. Shake well, and pour enough of the mixture into a quart bottle
to fill it for ³⁄₄ in. On top of this, pour not more than ¹⁄₄ in. of gasoline,
and shake until creamy. Repeat the addition of gasoline, shaking
each time, until full. The cleaning mixture will then be ready for use,
and may be applied with a rag, or small brush.
If, on adding the first lot of gasoline and shaking, the mixture does
not become emulsified, it proves that too much gasoline has been
added. In this case, allow it to stand for a few minutes, and pour off
the excess gasoline which comes to the top. Shake well, and add a
smaller quantity of gasoline. When the bottle is half full, larger
quantities of gasoline may be added at a time.
It is interesting to note that the more gasoline is added, the thicker
the emulsion becomes, and if the addition of gasoline and shaking is
prolonged, a semisolid jelly is formed, which will not run from a
bottle.—Contributed by H. E. Zschiegner, Wellsville, N. Y.

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