The New York herald., 1851-10-02

then tried his revolving pistol, which differs from
Mr. Colts In having no ramrod, the balls, which
were al Of oonicai shape, being merely placed ia
percussion caps placed in their proper position
trouble imaginable. When Mr.. Colts six
drawn back by the thumb on each firing,
but the action is different in Mr.. Adans7s
inventions; the works which discharge the porous
sion caps do not have any outside projection, and
are yet capable Of lsiDg the firing to be very ra
pid in succession, aad the reports very sharp If
the balls had been projected with great velocity.
Mr.. Colt used both spherical ana conical shot, bat
all those used by Mr.. Adams were conical, and
Almost Immediately after the firing of the revolv-
ing pistols was completed, at one o'clock L. M the
10th company of the royal Sappers and Miners ar
rived at the place of enbarkation, aud ijor Gene
sent, went to the spot, and Mr.. Colt in very hsnd
some manner, with tue consent of the Major Gene
raj, presented Lieut. Ray, in charge Of the comps-
n.y. OF royal Sappers and Miners, with one OF his re-
volviDg pistols. On the return of the officers and
gentlemen frem witnessing the embarkasi lion Of the
Sappers and Miners, the rifle staad was removed
from 30 to 200 yards range, and the experiments
commenced with Mr.. Sears needle gun. The ball,
Is ounce In weight, used in Mr.. Sears gun Is OF
concal shape, and the charge, 1t drains Of powder,
with small quantity of igLiting composition, is
made up in similar manner to ball cartridge,
and placed in its firing position with the greatest
and consequently, no ramrod is required. When
the charge IL placed in the chamber. q sliding
cover is pushed forward. which so eflsctually
prevents the smallest portion of the 20 wder
that greater range is obtained with COM
paratively smaller charge than can be obtained by
any other means yet tried, and the combustion Of
the protective materials is so complete that appa-
rently hundreds Of rounds may be fred without ma
teriay soiling the interior of the BARREL or render
ing it necessary to cleanse it. The perfect nature
Of the combustion was repeatedly tested by scing
clean white paper over the part whore the charge
was inserted and il was invariably exhibited as
clean and free from stain as it was when applied.
The next gun Experimental with was ono Of the
present service gun barrels, fitted with Mr. Sears
invention, in which the charge aud ball are inserted
IN one cartridge under the gun, and the firing took
place at 400 yards range, to show it's capabilities
when fitted with Mr.. Sears invention. The friny
with both guns, and with q caTbine carrying ball
fone ounce in weight, with a charge Of one and
haf drains Of powder, (about half che usual service
charge,) was remarkably good. The firing was not
confined to Mr.. Sears; Colonel Dundas, Brigade
Major Walpole, MIR. Lowell, Mr.. w. IL. Gordon, q
sergeant and three gunners of the Royal Artillery
repeatedly firing from each Of the pieces, and with
excellent effect There were l35 rounds fired from
the two muskets, and 50 from the carbiue. several
times in rapid succession, the pieces being cap able
of firing 20 rounds in two minutes, and yet there
was nc appearance Of any Of the parts heating or
getting the least out of order during the whole time
M trial