The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-08-30
Breech-Eoadfng Guns.


Revolution in the manufacture Of in
fantry firearms has fairly begun. Like
other great changes, it has required
time for its inception; but it is now
actually started, and promises to be
sweeping and thorough. Governments
are proyerbially sluggish in the adop-
ton Of innovations. But prejudice has
been at last overcome, Shd only the re-
cent achievement at Koniggratz was
needed to rouse all Europe from its
lcthargy, and open the eyes of the world
to full appreciation Of the last great
Improvement in firearms.
Through Prussia has been the FIRST
TO effect an entiro radical change in her
small arms, aud to demonstrate to the
world its advantage, yet it is due our
own Government to have the credit Of
fostering that special improvement,
which secures the contamination of
success in this direction. More than a
year ago, our Government organized n
commission to investigate the subject
of breech- loading arms, aud report upon
the merits of such specimens as might
be presented for examination. The ex-
periments we're continued for many
months, with great variety Of guns
The report of the deliberations Of that
Commission has not yet been made
public, but it cannot be doubted by
those who are acquainted with the trials
made, that the new Remington breechs
loading rife will be approved as the
most effective weapon Of the kind that
has yet been produced.
Since that time, as fast as samples
could be procured, similar trials Of this
gun have been in progress in several Of
the countries of Europe thus far with
but ono rcsult-the nest favorable.
In these trials, the dcsidcrata arc, Q,
course, extent Of range, portability
durability, accuracy, safety and convent
cnce Of handling in action, simplicity
and chcapncss Of construction, and f.
nally, capacity for the most rapid firing
The superiority in other respects, being
easily established, and in most cases
readily conceded, competition has been
attempted almost solely in respect Il
the rapidity Of firing And here again
the success is most triumphant. In
none Of the public trials is its rate oI
firing quoted at less than thirteen shots
per minute, while in the hands Of az
adept il has oIicDcr exceeded sixteen
shots per minute la the report jus
received Of recent trial in England, 4
Is stated that the Remington gun WA
fred & times 10 less than three min
utcs, while the Spencer gun was hrct
only 90 times in the same space o
time" (Moscovcr, il is TO lie noted
that the u.c Of the Remington gun i
not attended with the dangers aud dis
advantages Of a magazine in the brccch
which is necessary TO the Spencer gun.
But, more important than all hitherto
is the last powa from Austria. The
| Vienna correspondent of the Londor
Tm,s says Iiudncr 4 Remington
will have The honor Of seeing their sys
ten tried IN actual combat = and much
more, to the effect, that AusiTia's dccis
Ion is not doubtful also that 4" all th'
resources OF private and public work
arc 10 be taxed Cor the supply Of thes,
new descriptions Of Gro arms ConGr
ma,ory Of the above, VIC learn that Mes
srs. l. Remington 4 Sons, Of lion
have Just received a dispatch By thu
| Atlantic cable, saying Austria hai
adopted ih Remington arm, France i'm
patient Tor tho arrival Of the sampl,
guns ordered Apropos 20 this, ~
learn that the samples for France hay,
probably by this Iiiue just reached thei
destination. while the additional gum
ordered by England are slso now read,
for shipment. The Minister Of War o
Belgium has applied for authority t.
manufacture Arms in that country un
der the Remington Patent. Thus al
bctokcns the eventual adoption Of thu
gun o. the standard arm of the world
/ The peculiar feature Of novelty il
this invention consists in the applica
ton Of swinging brooch piece, p,crce'
by a firing pin, To- barrel bore'
Through aud through aud acting il
combination with a tumblcr attached Il
the hammer. 30 that tho curved edge
of the tumbler aud the brccch picc'
will correspond aud intcrlock to brace
against the rccoil Thus il is adapta
bic to any style Of barrel, and can b
used in the pistol, carbine or sporting
gun, as well n in the field arm,
There being large quantity Of sd
pcrior Springfield rifles in the various
arsenals Of this country; an economical
method Of altering them to effective
brocch leaders, has also been devised b.
the Messrs. Remington, which may oh
yiato for time the expense Of manuiac
/. turing entirely new arms Of the im
proved pattern, ttica Herad