Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-01-24
Tho Norse Brccch-LoadingG Gum.

lHc patrons ol tlllS gun, MT Morse ol Loul-
siana and General Anderson Of Tennessee, pre-
sented it few days since for the consideration
of our Government. We understand that they
propose it as an arm for the service Of the
State and desire to submit it to the scrutiny
Of strict comparative test with all other fire.
arms whenever commission shall be organ
lied for that purpose. The gun was invented
by Mr.. Morse, who is a cotton planter of Louisi-
ana, and has filled the Office of Chief Engineer
OF that State He is a gentleman Of scientific
attainments and has from early life given great
attention to the improvements in firearms
His partner, General Anderson, became con-
nected with mm in the interests Of the gun,
in The belief that it had such superior qualities
as to fit it peculiarly, in the present exgency
of our public affairs for the service Of the en-
tire South. We do not offer any opinion in
relation to it, except TO say that it appears to
have some very remarkable advantages.
At the instance Of some distinguished gentle
men, an exhibition was made, near the ArmorY,
of its qualities for firing. Among those present
on the occasion we're Dr. Thompson, a member
of the Military Committee Of the Senate, and
General Kemper, the Chairman Of the Military
Committee Of the House Of Delegates.
The United States rinc and the United States
musket, altered to the invention, and the orr
ginal gun invented by Mr.. Morse, were those
used. The firing was clear and rapid, and with
out the slightest pcrceptblc escape of gas at the
brcech The range was such as the grounds
afforded near the arsenal. One remarkable
quality of this gun is that any contact with
water does not affect the certainty Of its opera
,ions. This was tested by its immersion in
water while being loaded. The cartridges used
for this experiment were first placed in the
water and left there until the gun was put into
the river and then loaded with them under the
water. II was them taken out and the water
poured from the barrel, and it was fired us
clearly as If it had been loaded in the hot SUM-
The experiment was repeated in the same way
several times and with equal success. The
reason why it fires alter being loaded under
water, is because the gun has no external cone
to which the water can have access, but the
cone and the cap are made a part of the cart
ridge. So that when it explodcs it is in the
midst of the powder and no possible failure
can take place, except the cap is defective. Or
this part OF the Morse invention, we arc free to
say, it seems 10 us 10 be the perfection Of load
Ing, and does away with the exposure to wca-
ther and the Inconvenience or possible failure
Of machinery for Gaping on long exterior
conc.
Another popularity Of this gun is, that after
being fired, when the breach plate is raised, in
order to reload, it withdraws the empty cart
ridge.
The cartridge which is used was invented
by Mr.. Morse specially for the gun. 1t is self
sealing and capped, and, when the gun is load
cd with it, the whole operation is complete, and
it is ready for firing.
We understand that the alteration Of nuzzle-
loading muskets or rifles to the invention OF
Mr.. Morse can made for onesixth OF the cost
at which arms Of the present style of manu-
Cacturc could be purchased. If his invention,
therefore, upon full and perfect test OF it,
should prove satisfactory, and be adopted by
the State, it will enable us to convert nt a
cheap rate, fifty thousand stand Of arms, which
are now useless, into formidable weapons ol