Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-01
miscellaneous Artiflcs.
SHARP'S RIFLES.


derful fre-arm, known as "Sharp's Ri
fes," is now establishing large factory
in West Philadelphia, near the wire
bridge over the Schuylkill river. Wis
tied the establishment the other day, and
found Mr.. Sharp hard at work, erecting
his machinery and preparing tools. When
thoroughly organized, the new works
will employ about 800 men, and finish of
from $50 to 200 rifles per week, besides
moulds and other equipments. The con-
Germ now in operation at Hartford, Conn.,,
Mr.. Sharp has no connection with. 1t is
owned by a company, and they are eve
ry day infringing upon the patent rights
of Mr.. S., besides producing an inferior
description of rife. They have been
prosecuted for Infringement, and will soon
be wound up by an order from the court
Sharps rife is the most eficacious and
terrible fre-arm in existence. The small
carbine now used by the United States
mounted men, throws a ball with deadly
accuracy one-quarter of a mile, and can
be fired ten times a minute. 1t is not
complicated in structure, is easily clean
ed, and suffers no injury from wet wealth
er. Mr.. Sharp is now preparing models
for four new species of his weapon, name
ly: A small pocket pistol, calculated to
throw a Mimic ball one hundred yards
a cavalry pistol, with a range of five hun
dred yards; a rife suitable for footmen,
with range of one mile; and large
gun to throw a two ounce ball, or small
shell, one mile and halt, or, as far as
man and horse can be seen to advantage.
With this latter weapon, Mr.. S. declares
he can set on fire house, or ship at a |
distance of nearly two miles, and prevent
the use of field artillery by killing the
horses before the guns are brought with
in good range. When completed the
piece will weigh about II pounds which
for strong man is not embarrassing
The service rife for footmen will be
most serviceable and eficacious weapon,
Of about nine pounds weight, throwing an
ounce ball. Sporting rifles will also be
made, of much smaller calibre, but the
same range. These weapons should be
the American arms, and none but Amer
lean citizens shouldbe supplied with them.
Sharp's rife in the hands of good
marksman, who can load and fire rapidly,
is fully equal to ten muskets, for short
range, while for a medium or long dis
lance a musket can no more compete with
Sharp's carbine or rife, than can a shil-
ling pop gun. Bayonets are obviated, for
place man six rods distant, with mus
ket and bayOnet, and before he can bring
1t into use, the rife can be loaded and
discharged at least ten times. A column
Of infantry advancing upon body of RI
femen would be almost annihilated be-
fore they came within musket range.
Mr.. Sharp showed me certificates from
scores of men, civilians and soldiers, who
have used this rife, and they all testify to
its wonderful qualities. One officer now
on the frontier, writes that two men, with r
Sharps rifle, on one occasion held sever ,
al Indian warriors at bay; they were not t
able to approach sufficiently near to use
their common rifles with any effect.
AS the talented and ingenious inventor {
declares, these rifles are destined to be- ,
come the national weapon, and hope +
Congress will purchase the patent, and {
hold 1t secure from any other government f
or country. 1t will be about ten months ,
before the new weapon l have referred I
to viii be ready for sale; after that time f
they can be had without much delay +
Mr.. Sharp is always ready to exhibit his /
weapons to strangers or persons desiring t
information concerning firearms, and his e
is well worth visit. lam r
told that Col. Colt has invented a new {
pistol, much superior TO his present revol- e
yer, and that it will soon be offered to h
the public. / predict, however, that Fl
Sharp's pistol will be preferred to any a
description of revolver. After firing the p
SIX barrels of revolver, it requires at f
least five minutes to load again, while ]
oharp's pistol may be fired twelve times t.
per minute, all day, if necessary. The t,
cavalry pistol carries an ounce, and the a
pocket pistol half-ounce ball. They
Will be ready for sale in few MONTHS
Cincinnati Times. Il
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Ia The Pilgrims Progress has been o.
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