Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-29

Lie following ielteT IToHl ali oLhSeI III LII
United States Army, a native OF the Old Domi
MON, and now in New Mexico, will attract de
served attention from our readers:
Modern weapons.
70 tie Editors Of tho RicAmond Enquirer:
NEW MEXICO, Dec. 2S, 1860.
Gentlcncn-IIaying observed that the pco
ulc at home arc procuring arms for the State,
I venture to offer you the views which seem "a
be generally entertained BY the officers of the
army, respecting the comparative merits OF the
weapons now in use.
1t is not necessary for the State Of Virginia
to send to England for the Enfield rifles, for
those made at Springfield arc quite rs good rs
the English guns.
4 skiIful gun.makcr, after 4 critical exami-
nation Of the improved patterns Of the English
rife-muskct, and Of the American (Sprin2fcld)
riile.muskct, would pronounce ours the better
weapon, in every particular, except the lock.
The English locks arc better than ours, because
all locks Of our new-pattc,n rifles, or rifle-mus-
kels, have unfortunately been cncumbcredaDd
injured By atiixiRg to them a contrivance known
as ".Maynard's attachment" for serving May.
ilards primers"
The cost Of the weapon has thus been mate.
rally increased, while the lock has been injur-
cd. And, as no troops use Maynard's primers
in tho field, these attachments arc justly and
generally regretted.
With this one exception, our Springfield
riac-muskct is held to be the "Queen" Of wea-
pons. With great accuracy and force OF fire,
it combines the important qualities CT strength,
durability and cfcapness. And the bayonet-
the ncvcr.ailing arbiter of hard-fought fields
completes the efficiency Of the arm.
AS n yirginian, 7 regret to have to state, that
the Harper's Ferry rile.muSket, Of the same
pattern, has been withdrawn from the service
in this Territory, on account of alleged defects
Of manufacture.
Among the brccch-loading or repeating arms
now in use, either for service or experiment,
those of Colt stand prc-cmiuent. His revolving
pistol is more highly esteemed, by our cavalry
troops. now, than it has ever been. Captain
Marcy, who is excellent authority on such mat
tiers, being AT once akeen sportsman and an
experienced soldier, pronounces Colts new re-
volving rife to he the best of the brcech-loaC-
ers, xhcn IN tic hunds IF Il cool II crpcrt
man.
There are several of the breech-loading arms
which are regarded with some favor. and which
arc excellent in careful hands-espccially when
very rapid firing is desired; as in defending u
house, or other position, against many assail.
ants. But for all the purposes Of war, for the
service Of troops in the field, under all circum-
stances, the sense Of our line officers is unqucs-
lionablv in favor Of the new pattern rihe.muS-
ket, without the Maynard attachment, as the
weapon for all foot troops.
For cavalry, 4 somewhat shorter rifle is de.
sirable; which, with 4 Colts revolver, and a
light, sharp sabre, slightly curved, and secured
to the saddle instead Of to the trooper, will
make the equipment Of that arm Of service
what it ought to be, to meet all the contingent
cies Of modern warfare.
The rifle known as the Harpcr's Ferry rifle
is an excellent weapon. The Mounted Rifles
have carried it since 1916; and they bear it
Will. pride and confidence still. The range and
the accuracy are not quite equal to the new
riie.musket, but they arc sufficient for all prac-
teal purposes.
have seen an Antelope shot through and
killed bv a ball from one Of these guns, at i
distance of COO PAGES. And last month, while
Sibley's column Of Dragons and Rifles was in
the Navaioe couutry, the officers relate that u
warrior was killed by a rideman at a distance
exceeding 500 yards.
Yours, Sr~oTsfLVAN1A.