New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-16

sent here to experiment with this weapon ana
with Maynard's primer and sometimes ACCOMPANIED
him in his target practicDg expeditions lie nad Two
tsrgets-ore laced at distance OF nan aile, anu
the other at FIJI mile. With the half-mie target he
could place ball within the small ring every time,
while with the mletarge be could put oall within
ring Of four feet diameter. :.
The Mimic ball as the reader probably knows, rs
concal in shape, with cavity in the end winch rer's
upon the powder. This cavity being Tiled win sSS
by the decomposition explosion OF the powdei h
greatly to the propulsive force Of the charge
special motion gwen to the oSn Dy hi se course.
The rhed muske manufactured here Is nnh;o
that made at Enfield Eng the machinery ,o 'a ap
which WAS imported from this country, anu "s nu'u
ufactured at tie Ames Manuiaea,u, ~ tshe
Chicopee from patterns obtained a. tne pp'eeo5.,"
Armory Ii is a singular fact that almost me hfs' ue
mand for the Enfield rifles should De ina1e IRON 'ne
State which Elk years ago ecu We
them The machinery was not only obtained here Tor
tbe,r manufacture but Mr.. Burton, for many wears
connected with this Arlnory, was selected TO take
charge of the English works at Enfield.
The bayonet which is attached TO the riied muskets
is of the sword pattern, and handsome as well as
formidable weapon. The weight OF the musket and
bayonet is nine pounds
The muskets which are now being sent away, OF the
older patterns have not been touched for seven years
and yet such is the dry Of the atmosphere where
the arsenals located that not particle OF rust can
be observed upon them, are the barrels tar
niShei in the slightest manner.
Formerly visitors were ad1 tilted with the utmost
freedom any parts Of the works the gates remaining
open and having guards, but SINCE the bonbadment
of Sumter they have been vgantly watched night ana
day. TO prevent injury from lurking emissies OF Jen.
Davis and stranger is admitted inside OF the gates
unless accompanied by guard.
The large amount Il money DISTURBED by the GOV
eminent this time must be Of mu ense advantaget TO
the citizens OF this town and greatly lessen the sagna
ton of business consequent upon the political troubles
Another very important mandatory OF arms Is To-
Gated at Chicopee formerly part Of Sprnghedl
known az the Ames Manufacturing Company. Yes
terday paid visit to the works OF tbs COMPANY
and was very much gratiied with the activity dis
PLAYED in this extensive establishment. Ihis Company
EMPLOYS al tie present time $40 men in the manuiac-
ture Of rBed cannon, James's patent pro]ectiles,
swords of various kinds, and the sword bayonet used
upon the Sharp's and Colts rifles. All the weapons
turned out by this establishment are Of the most ap
proved pattern and excellent Workmanship and IN the
hands of brave volunteers Will do excellent SER
vice. In the way of brass cannon, they complete
battery week-or rather, seven pieces-one over afnl
battery. In the shop there large number OF guns
Of different calipes recently received from various
points which TO he rfed for the use OF the james
conicsl ball and shell. Among them were some Co
lumbiads which throw round shot weighing 81 pounds
but when ried will throw balls OF l24 pounds weight
and do good execution at a distance OF seven miles
These will make splendid peace makers and Will DO
more toward cementing the Union than the return of
fen times the number Of sable contrahands Which Ben
Butler has 20 wisely employed at Old Point Comfort.
The rhing process, while 1t adds greatly TO the ac
curacy OF the ball. also enables the gun TO take shot
of double the weight which it is able TO carry in round
shot thus the Founders by this process turned
into twelve-pounders and other sizes are enlarged IN
the same proportion.
daily. The shape of the shot and shell Is similar to
the Mimic ball. and the principle Of action is the came,
but the material instead of being lead as In the latter
case is mainly Of iron, the lead only being used to
form about one-twelfth of its weight. The manulac-
ture Of the shot is quite interesting and VIII try
briefly to describe it, The conical section OF the ball
is composed entirely Of cast iron, and occupies about
one-half of its length the other halt having frame
work of ron with cavity 10 the center NJ IN the Or
binary Mimic ball. The balls in this manner in
one lece; the cavities then filled with sand, and
covering of sheet tin is put around the framework,
which is then filled up with molten lead. When they
are fred from the gum the gas arising from tue explo
sion of the powder escapes iuto the cavity OF the ball
forcing the lead into the grooves of the cannon and
thus rendering the action similar TO that OF the Mimic
ball. The shell ia similar i'll structure 10 the ball only
the concal section is hollow, until filed with powder
and contains near its extreme point small braso tube
connecting by fuse with the powder. The tube Is
furnished with nipple for percussion cap, aud the
shell Is instantly loded the moment strikes any
thing with sufficient force TO explode the cap.
The Ames Manufacturing Company turn out about
three thousand swords per month, and about one
thousand bayonets. The latter are different in form
from those manufactured by the United States, Iesem-
bling the saber and being longer and furnished with
handle so to be capable OF being used independ-
emily of the rifle. -, =,
This company has recently made four raing machines
for the use of the Government OF which IL now IN
operation on Governors Island, and the others will
shortly be 10 operation at the Maryland In Washing
ton These riding machines will render our ordnance
vastly more effective and in times like these liter
ally worth more than their weight In gold