A Museum Curator Was Explaining An Old Gun

'To fire the gun you insert the Flint in the flintlock ; put the ball into the barrel with charge of powder from a powder horn and wad of cotton. The charge is then rammed down the barrel and tapped a few times with ramrod. Then the ramrod is replaced in the holder, the gun is cocked and then it is ready to fire.' ' so then they fire it?' Asked one of his audience. ' Oh no, by that time the war if usually over. '