The Cecil Whig., 1861-07-06

Several new ritling machines are nearl,
ready for setting up, which will mater.
tally add to the productive power o
the establishment, as the number Of
muskets which one machine is capable oi
rlfiing is limited to the number Of hours
which it runs. This is not the case
with other portions of the musket, an
increase i'll the number of men being
only necessary to increase production.
The rifed muskct manufactured by
the United States Armory in this city is
ono of the finest infantry weapons in the
world. 1t carries Mimic ball weighing
one ounce, and is capable of killing a
man at the distance of a mile. Some five
or six years since, Captain Benton, OF
the Ordnance Department at Washing
ton, was sent here to experiment with
this weapon, and with Maynard's primer
and | sometimes accompanied him in his
target practicing expeditions. He had
two targets, one placed at the distance
of half mile, and the other full mile
With the lalf-milc target he could place
ball within the small ring every time,
while with the mile target lie could
put ball within ring four feet in dia-
meter.
The Mimic ball, as the reader proba-
bly, knows, is conical in shape, with O
cavity in the end, which rests upon the
powder. This cavity being filled with
gas by the decomposition or explosion oI
the powder, adds greatly to the propul-
sive force of the charge, while the
special motion given to the ball by tho
rlfling process preserves for it steady
and straight course.
The riAcd musket manufactured here
is similar to that made at Enfield, Eng
land, the machinery for making which
was exported from this country, and
was manufactured at the Amcs Manu-
featuring Company in Chicopee, from
patterns obtained at the Springfield
Armory 1t is singular fact that
almost the first demand for the Enfield
rifles should be made from the State
which almost six years ago furnished the
English authorities with the machinery
for manufacturing them. The machinery
was not only obtained here for their
manufacture, but Mr. Burton, for many
years connected with this armory, was
selected to take charge of the English
works at Enfield
The bayonet which is attached to the
riflcd muskcts is Of the sword pattern,
and handsome as well as a formidable
weapon. The wei ght of the muskct 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 dryness of the atmosphere
where the arsenal is located that not ii
patlclc Of rust can be observed upon
them, nor even arc the barrels tarnished
in the slightest manner.
Formerly visitors were admitted with
the utmost freedom to any part of the
works, the gates remaining open, and
having no guards; but since the bonn
bardment of Sumter they have been vlgi-
lantly watched night and day, to pre-
vent injury from lurking emissaries Of
Jeff. Davis, and no stranger is admitted
inside of the gates, unless accompanied
by guard.
Another very important mandatory
of arms is located at Chicopee formerly
a part of Springfeld,) known as the
Amcs Manufacturing Company. Yes
terday paid Il visit to the works Of
this company, and was very much graf
flied with the activity displayed in this
extensive establishment. This company
employs at the present time 500 men in
the manufacture of rifed cannon, James 5
patent projectilcs, swords Of various
kinds, and the sword bayonet used upon
Sharp's and Colts rifles. All the wea-
pons turned out by this establishment
are of the most approved pattern, and
excellent workmanship, and in the hands
of our brave volunteers will do excellent
service. In the way Of brass cannon,
they complete battery a weck-or,
rather, seven pieccs-one over f full
battery. In the shop there are a large
number of guns of different calbre,
recently received from various points,
which are to be rihed for the use of the
james conical ball and shell. Among
them we're some columbads which throw
round shot weighing 64 pounds, but
when rifcd will throw balls of l24
pounds weight, and do good execution
at distance of seven miles. These
will make excellent peace-makcrs, and
will do more towards cemcnting the
Union than the return of ten times the
number of sable contrabands which Ben.
Butler has so wisely employed at Old
Point. Comfort.
The rifing process, while it adds
greatly to the accuracy 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 six-poundcrs are
by this process turned into twelve. poun-
dcrs, and other sizes are enlarged in the
same proportion.
Of the projcctilcs, 400 shot and shell
are turned out daily. The shape of the
shot and shell is the same as the Mimic
ball, and the principle of action is the
same, but the material, instead of being
lead, as in the latter case, is mainly of
iron, the lead only kning used to foruI
about one-twelfth of its weight. The
manufacture Of the shot is quite interest
ing, and will try to describe it. The
conical section of the ball is composed
o..:.,J,, of on., ;,o,, .,,,1 ooorp;o, bn, :