Smyrna times., 1859-06-02
Another Destructive Weapon.
LARGE ORDERS FROM ENGLAND FOR AMERICAN
FIRE ARMS

LARGE ORDERS FROM ENGLAND FOR AMERICAN |
FIRE ARMS.
The large quantity of firearms and gun-ma-
king machinery already furnished 10 England
from our American workshops, proves to have
been but the precursor of more extended orders.
Hitherto our mechanics have restricted their
efforts more particularly TO the manufacture of
small arms, in which their skill has been amply
acknowledged but now we hear casually of a
couple of moster rlled guns, which have been
in course Of preparation by the well known
manufacturers Of Chcopee, Mass.,- Ames
Manufacturing Company, and that the re-
suits of preliminary trial are OF an extraordl-
nGry character. One OF these guns is intended
for the U. 5. Government; the other will be
ia ken out in the Russian frigate " General Ad-
| m;ral" for presentation to the Gar of all the
Russians A few days since, Captain Chesta-
! kotf, the future commander Of the new steamer,
heard of the performances of the new gun, and,
with characteristic zeal, at once determined to
obtain duplicate in behalf OF his sovereign.
In several respects, the gun here referred to,
conforms to the description recently given in
English papers of the celebrated - Armstrong"
gun. 1t has riied bore, of a diameter capable
of receiving four pound BALL but the missile
I here employed is so elongated that the weight
of metal is increased to thirteen pounds. The
rear section or base, is composed of lead, pre-
senting a concave surface to the cartridge,
with view of its being forced into the grooves
by the expansion Of the powder behind it, thus
preventing loes of explosive power by windage.
prominent object in the experiments made,
5 was, to ascertain the effect of increasing the
number of grooves. The remarkable accuracy
finally obtained, is shown by the fact that three
balls were thrown through the same perfora-
ton, with only trifIng variation, at the dis
' lance of half a mile. The target was placed
on the slope of hill while these experiment:
}. were in progress, with the supposition that the
resistance offered by the target would prevent
7 the ball going much beyond, but messenger
L' brought word that damage was being done TIVE
It miles further off. Balls were then fred so tha
/. they struck into the earth comparatively
, short distance from the target, and on beinI
dug out were found shattered by the conclusion
~ We learn that orders were brought out b.
ln the last steamer from England, for the immed
at ate construction of large quantities ofmachiner
nj for the manufacture of the most approved Anne
rcan firearms, and that the same have bee
e' put in Eand for execution, both at Chicopee an
other large works, Offering the needed facil
ties. The agents of the British governmeI
" bearing these orders, also brings large il
ss stalment of sterling gold, and are unrestrictt
ia as to the amount of work TO be done. tt
.o American machinery already in England
worked up to its fullest capacity, turning o
ih several thousand guns per month, under the Z
- rection of workmen from the shops at Chicope
, The United States government armoriC
m. both at Springfield and Harper's Ferry, a
,od manufacturing the rlAed musket for the Unit
n. States army. This weapon in destructiyent
Icd will compare well with the MIME rifle, or ar
Md thing else 10 use. About $4,000 Of these mt
he ke,s will be made at Springfield IN the cou
Dr. of the present year; at both places somelhl
like 20,O00.-N. y. Journal % Commerce.