Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-10-19
RIFLE MAKING AT WINDSOR,
VERMONT.

A correspondent of Rochester paper gives
the following interesting description OF Robbins
g. Lawrences rifle mandatory at Windsor, VT:
They commenced their buildings about three
years since, and expended in buildings, machine
nv and materials, $ll5,000, before they made one
rife. About 1000 of their rifles have been do
ing our country service in Mexico. Their prln
cipal building is one hundred lcet wide, aud Tour
stories in height. They have also several other
buildings for forging their work, ana for the va
rious operations connected with their extensive
business. Their first contract with the U. $.
Government was for 10000 rifles. They, how
ever have another and much larger contract,
made last January, although the first is not com
pecd. They turn out 500 rifles per month, all
in complete order. They employ 100 arizlns,
besides IS in the furnace business, making cast
ings and carriages for the Railroad. The bar
rel is made from American Iron, drawn from fiat
bars into ''scalps" of the proper length and thick
ness. These seal ps are then rolled and welded
around hammer that makes 1900 blows per
minute. During this operation the rod has to be
frequently Withdrawn TO prevent lis becoming
welded with the iron annealng. The barrel
thus formed, next goes through the process Of
smut boring" turning, rmning, and straghten.
| ing, all OF which are curious enough, but the
last more particularly as it is done, or rather
ascertained TO be correctly done, by the eye OBJ
serving shadow. The next step is passing
through trial and inspection by Government
They are loaded with l60 grains Of powder, two
balls and wads, and fired each twice. If they
stand this test, they pass on to the process OF
| finishing inside, which is done by rifling ma
chimes, at the rate of one barrel per hour to each
machine They afterwards pass through the
process of browning, which requires great skill
TO make it succeed perfectly. Again they arc
inspected, and very few rejected on account OF
the smallest possible detects in the mate
rial. Stocks are made from Black Walnut
which has been seasoned three years before
working. If you have seen Mr.. Curtlss's las
machine you will have a tolerable idea of The
first process. These stocks pass through six diff
| ferent machines and rifle before 1t is complete
in all It's parts passes through more than ont
hundred different machines, a great share o
which are the invention or the Improvement o
Mr. Lawrence. If he wants a certain thing, hi
first invents a machine to do it, and then sets j
at work as a man would boy.
The most singular machine is the one he call
the letting machine" 1t performs several diff
icult and delicate operations with facility ant
ease that is perfectly astonishing. 1t cuts GU
the places to receive the barrel, ramrod lock
pach box, butt plate, guard strap side plate, ban
strings, &C., so exact that they require no hant
labor.
| Inc mounting Is oil BRASS, hnlshed nearly com
plete by machinery. The lock work is forced il
dies. 1t afterwards passes through great vari
ETY. of machines, and comes out in the most per
feet shape. These machines illustrate most cf
fectually the surprising advantages of YANKEE
ingenuity. Each piece will fit in any one Of tn
numerous rifles made here. There Is no sucl
thing as trying the several parts to make then
match each other. Parts that are alike are throw
together, and at random when wanted 10 maxi
the gun, and SO perfect are they they need no al
teration whatever.
There are constantly employed three Unite
States inspectors in the establishment. The II
hes, when complete, do not vary two ounces eacl
from the other in weight.