Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-10-19
HALLS PATENT RIFF

r. hIEST RIFLE.
p IL seems. fro m an examination ,,i
report made BY Board Of Otseer, =,
pointed for the purpose. tina, IN. g..
arm invented and manufactured J..
Capt. John II. Hall. at the u 8 A.,
mory. HarPers Ferry, has been ,l,o-
ed the merit Of superiority over ,ho,.
OF Haekett and Cochran. ;nven,io,,
which have lately made some nos. -,
tins country. All these arms are lo,1
ed at the breech. and the adv.o,,.
and defects OF each are descnb.I :.
the report. The Board i, confirmed :,
the opinion that the arm Of Hall
titled TO all the favorable eon.,der,,,o,
which has heretofore been be,,ou.l
upon II by previously constituted board,
and commissions. The Repor, detail,
The result OF several experiments ana
the character Of each invention. ~.
take few extracts in reference 10 ",
Halls Guns:
In constrained positions, such 4,
are not uncommon TO high; ,roopS n.
experiments with Halls Rilcs a, 81.
Monroe, in lS26, when in the ham,
OF troops. fully prove that tin, arm !,
admirably adapted TO this service and
that OF mounted corps, in Consequence
OF the convenience in loading and "a.
cil',y OF discharsing when on horse.
oack.
The attainment OF simplicity in The
construction of firearms is unqnc>,i5o.
ably OF the first importance. IN ort,,
that those who are 10 use their may
readily comprehend their principle,
and utility. In the examination of
hail guns nothing appears complica.
ted on the contrary, one Of their great.
est merits consists in the simplicity Of
their component parts, and the absence
o! the various sppendages Equipments
which are attendant upon, and indus
pensable 10. the use and service OF the
~ 80" W WV anu NOCUTdn.
." The experiments with Halls gun
IN 1870, gave results satisfactory With
regard TO IT'S character for resisting the
effects of long frings, and there can be
no coub, that the durability Of all de.
scriPtions of arms will depend greatly
upon simplicity and con seque nj strength
of construction.
In sustaining an attack from cayal.
ry, arms have an advantage in propor.
iIon to their cspability OF KEEPING nm
continuous fire, preserving at the
same time their position Of defence
with the bayonct; The muskeis of Hail
and Hackett possess this advan tage in
an eminent degree, being, even during
the process Of loading, in readiness for
personal defence. This is not the case
NTH the many chambcred guns in
consequence Of the necessity tina, eI-
lists Tor disconnecting their parts for the
purpose Of charging them.
The advantage is believed 10 be al.
together in favor Of arms that load a,
the oreech, and with receivers tina,
contain only one charge such arms
being conveniently handled and loaded
on horseback. are peculiarly adapted
10 the cavalry service and the ball.
being larger than the diameter of the
barrel, 1t is not changed from its posi-
hoa IN the receiver by the movement,
Of the horse.
e" The board is confirmed in the opi.
MON. tina: the arm Of Hall is entitled
to all the favorable consideration uhich
has HERETOFORE been bestowed upon IL by
previously constituted boards and com.
missions.
Finally, IL is the unanimous opinion
OF the undersigned that the standard
arms now IN use in the service Of the
United States. regular and militia. VIZ:
United States musket and rifle. and
Halls musket. rille, and carbine, with
such improvement IN con Sfrzcfion as
the latter are susceptible OF, combine.
IN a higher degree, all the requisites
OF convenience, durability, simplicity.
and effect, than any that have been
suggested for the general armament
All which IS respectfully submitted.
JOHN X. FENWICK. Byfr. GDy
I'read-Hn Of tie Board
~, TOWSON, BTS. GeH
w. }. WORTH, ~. Col
u ID. WAlNN RIGHT. H. Col VI e.
" \. BAKER. .HoJ. a. s. .1rnS
BENJ. HUGHH, Cabf Orsfaase,.