The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

Trial of Rifles at Woolwich,

A premium of £lOO was some time since offered
by the National Rifle Association to gunmakers and
others, for "the most efficient and serviceable
breech-loading rifle," and yesterday having been
fixed upon as the day on which the competition
should take place, the locality being the Govern-
ment practice range at Woolwich Arsenal, many
gentlemen connected with the association, or inte-
rested in the subject, assembled at the range. The
principal conditions were that the minimum bore of
each rifle should be .450, and that it should take the
gauge plug provided by the council from muzzle to
breech. The minimum length of the barrel was
fixed at 2ft. 9in., and 3ft. 3in. as maximum, but
makers were at liberty to choose their own form and
material. The pull of the trigger was fixed at a
minimum of 61b. ; and the weight at 9ilb.; full
stocked, with metal ramrods and military sights.
Mechanically-fitting ramrods were prohibited. The
cartridges were to contain their own means of igni-
tion, and it was also intimated that, as far as pos-
sible, cartridges should not occupy greater space in
bulk than the present Enfield ammunition.

Yesterday only three rifles complying with these
conditions were produced ; one by Mr. Henry, one
by Mr. Westley Richards, and a third, by Mr.
Joslyn, an American. A Mount Storm rifle, one by
Mr. Daws, and another by a German maker were
withdrawn, or at least were not competed with.
The weather was as unfavourable for accurate
shooting as could possibly be conceived, for the wind
blew half a gale across the marsh ; but as the gun-
makers (lid not object to compete under the circum-
stances, of course no opposition was offered by the
representatives of the National Rifle Association.
The force of the wind was, however, so great
that on firing the first trial shots (five being allowed
to each competitor), the bullets hit the wrong target,
although the rifles were laid with great accuracy,
and were fired from fixed mechanical rests. Shoot-
ing began about noon, and by the conditions which
regulated the trials 20 rounds were fired from each
rifle at 800 yards as a test of accuracy, and after-
wards 100 from the shoulder as fast as the rifle could
be loaded and discharged. The tests were repeated
until each competitor had fired 60 rounds for accu-
racy and 300 rounds for rapidity.
The Joslyn rifle is .510 in bore, and takes a charge
of 70 grains of powder. It has seven grooves, with
one turn in 3ft. The bullet is 480 grains in weight.
In the trial of this rifle for accuracy of firing, the
first 20 shots all fell short, and did not reach the
target, probably from a want of proper elevation.
Of the second 20 10 hit, but were all to the left and
high. In the third round the whole of the 20 were
hits, but were widely scattered about. In the trials
for rapid firing, the first 100 rounds were fired in 9
min. 7 sec., the second 100 in 8 min., and the third
in 7 min. 20 sec.—a gradual diminution of time
attributable to the man who fired becoming more
and more accustomed to the weapon. It is to be
remarked in favour of this rifle that there was no
missfire throughout the 360 rounds. The powder
and ball are contained in a copper tube, the ignit-
ing medium being at the end, and on being struck
by the hammer the explosion ensues. The copper
tube is pre i-ented from entering the rifle by a rim at
the base, and is withdrawn previous to reloading.
The Westley Richards rifle has a bore of .450,
and is fired with 70 grains of powder. The 60 shots
for accuracy were well aimed, and in each case there
was a good diagram. The first 100 shots for rapi-
dity were fired in 11 min. 43 sec., and there were
two misses. The second 100 rounds occupied 12
min. 28 sec., with three missfires and one broken
cartridge. The third 100 rounds occupied 15 mm.
35 sec., with 14 inisses, which accounts for the long