The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-01
MILITARY.
shsrps' MusI<et and Maynard's Printing.
u. 3. MARINE BARRACKS,
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., Oct. %, 1850.

u. 8. MARINE BARRACKS, !
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., Oct %, 1850.
GENERAL: In obedience to your order of the 18th
Inst have examined and tried Mr.. Christian
Sharpe patent breech- loading musket with the
Maynard system of printing attached, and respect
fully submit the following report;
The simplicity of this gun is such that descrip-
ton of the operation of loading will also describe
its chief popularity.
To load :-Depress and push forward the guard
bow, (Which is a lever,) and gate slides down
back of the barrel, at right angles to it, and
to expose the bore; put in the cartridge, ball end
first pull back the lever, and the gate rises cutting
of the end of the cartridge, and closing the end Of
the barrel The musket has now only to be cooked !,
and it is ready for firing.
On the first day of the trial had the musket
fired fifty times in sixteen minutes; after which it
was, in all respects, in good condition for firing
at the first fire, except that the barrel had be-
come hot that the hand could not be borne
upon it.
On the second day, it was fired one hundred and
five times in thirty minutes, without any change,
except the heating of the barrel as on the first
day.
On the third day. without having been cleaned
it fired fifty times in fifteen minutes after
which it in good condition for service as
when the firing began on the first days trial
The musket was fired by soldier who had never
seen it before. Only moments instruction
given him; yet at the commencement he fired it
more than twice as fast the common musket
can be fired, and with much greater ease
II is perfectly safe at all times; can be unloaded
in moment by single blow of the ramred; can
never be overloaded, and can be loaded and fired
nearly well lying sitting down as standing,
md yvith facii tvi in he
the light, advancing and retreating, az at halt.
1t dispenses with nearly all Of the manual exer-
else, including the parts most difficult to learn 1t
can be loaded and fired rapidly and efficiently un-
der any agitation or embarrassment to which the
soldier is often in battle liable.
l think it can be made cheap the common
flint musket, and am sure it can be kept in order
with one half of the labor.
The rapidity with which it can be safely fred,
on embarrassing occasions, its exemption from the
possibility of overlooking its certainty of fire, and
the fact that it has greater range and accuracy
than the common musket, would, with Maynard's
primer attached. combine, in my opinion, to more
than double the efficiency Of our corps if armed
with this musket.
The result of this trial has been such as to entirely
convince me and the officers who witness it of the
past superiority of Sharps' musket the now
in use. But as the inventor is anxious to have
more severe, protracted, and varied trial, and
pecially to have it's advantages of range and accu-
racy more thoroughly shown, respectfully recon-
mend that board of officers may be appointed for
that purpose
AS the Maynard system of printing has not yet
been fully adopted for the Army and Navy in the
place of the percussion cap, proper regard for the
interests of the Government induces me also to re-
in he mr. nrO man Ia nd
for the Marine Corps.
Some of the advantages claimed by the inventor
over the copper cap now in have shown them
selves perfectly during this trial. that endorse
and append them to this report, and do not hest
tate to say that this system furnishes completely
the qualities required in primer, and at 30 tring
a COST as to leave nothing more perfect to be de-
sired.
Finally, feel justified in saying that Sharps'
system of loading and Maynards system of prim
ing furnish an arm for Infantry that has no equal
for simplicity strength, durability, safety, range,
and accuracy.
The following are some Of the advantages of
Maynard's system of printing, as claimed by him,
in which fully concur:
/. The soldier applies ono piece of printing, con-
tanning fifty rounds to his muskct, when at leisure,
and has nothing more to do with the printing until
whole manipulation of " printing in action is dis
pensed with, and hence great increase in rapid
ity of firing with the new system over the percus
sion-cap system.
q BY the motion of the hammer from "half-cock"
to "cock," the gun primes itself with mathemati-
cal precision unattninable by hand; without regard
its position, TO heat cold; by night or day;
in fair weather foul; whether the soldier be in
haste at ease, attentive not, skilful or awk-
ward.
3. The primer cannot be fired with the hammer
down. at "half-cock;" nor can il be accident
ally separated from the gun, or damaged by being
jolted or knocked about with the gun.
4. No jarring-such as ia produced by coming
TO "order arms" upon stone, or striking the ham,
mer in getting over fences, catching il among
limbs twgs of trees, dress Of soldiers or trap
pings of horses, or rigging Of vessels; or any like
disturbance Of the lock, can fire the primer.
5. The printing requires no tools ofappendages,
and but moments explanation, to be perfectly
understood and applied by the soldier.
6. No pieces Of metal or other annoying sub.
stance thrown of from the primer.
T. II costs about one tenth as much as the copper
cups now used in the service, occupies less than
ono. fourth their space, is Of about one-twelfth
their weight and is equally proof against the ef-
fects Of any climate.
8. Tho lock for using this primer i. more sim
pie, and less liable to accident and wear than the
old flint lock.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
Very respectfully, sir, ] have the honor to be
your obedient servant, n. TANSILL,
Breve Captain .. S. Marine Corps
To Brig. Gen. A. HESDERsoN, CONG U. S. Ma
rine Corps, Headquarters, Washington, ID. G..
Ouf Reuh oIo ,od a
ernor Of Ohio by majority of about $1,000 over
Johnson, Wing, but lacks 900 of clear majority