The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-24
The Neeflle-Glln,

Our Berlin correspondent speaks OF the
needle gun as having convinced the 60
vernmcnts of Europe of the "necessity of
/" introducing a similar Improvement IN
" firearms in their armies" Hc is mis-
taken in supposing that the needle-gun Is
the best brccch- loader. We have arms IN
this country superior to that gun in every
respect except one-the ignition OF lhe
powder next to the ball and this improve
mcnt can easily be made.
In company with Mr.. SALMON ADAMS
a sLilful armorer, previously employed IN
the United States armory at Springfield,
Mass, but during the late war the master
armorer of the Confederate States armory
in this city, We on Wednesday afternoon
made an examination of the ncedle-gun
now in the possession Of Mr.. S. SuTHER-
LAND, on Broad street, and which was sent
to Mr.. WILLIAM ECKER, Of this city, from
Germany. Mr.. ADAMS pronounces the arm
inferior to one or more brecch-loaders i'll
use in this country. He remarked that the
needle would necessarily be heated and de-
stroycd by the fierce heat ofthe powder sur
rounding it when ignition takes place, and, at
any rate, would be easily broken. The gun
smith replied that he had fired the gun
once, and thus broken the needle; and our
correspondent says that each soldier car
rics with him two extra needles. MT.
ADAMS also says that the perforated, cylin-
drical, movable slot through which the
needle passes on It's way to the carthage
will soon become expanded from heat and
unrnanageable that the gun Is heavier
mot lighter. as ourcorrespondent supposes)
than our Springfield rifle; and that the
ball used is not so good as the American.
In word, MIR. ADAMS, whose opinion is
that of man thoroughly acquainted with
the subject, has no idea that our own Co.
or that of England, or of any
other country, will adopt the needle-gun
as il is made in Prussia, though they will
all no doubt adopt that feature of it
which secures the ignition of the powder
next to the bail.
The ncedle-gun presents at glance the
exact appearance of the old-iashloned
brecch-loaders formerly in use in this
country; but upon examination the differ
cnces are Of course patent. The slot
moves on a line with the barrel, and also
turns in groove which is continuation
of the groove of the barrel. II is moved
backwards when the cartridge is to be put
ntothc barrel, and then it is returned to its
place, one end fitting tight against the cart
ridge, and the other end, the shot being
turned in the groove, catching so asto form
breech-a common feature in brcech-lOad-
ers. The slot is perforated longitudinally,
and the needle, when the trigger is pulled,
moves along this opening up to and entire
ly through the ordinary gunpowder to the
Illuminating powder; which isplaced IN the
cartridge between the ball and the gun
powder. OF course the needle thus re-
ceives the full force of the heat and the
shock resulting from the explosion. The
ball is not so long as the Mimic ball, and,
like all good balls, is swedged-that is,
compressed into shape out of cold lead,
not mouided-thus securing an equal
density in every part, and causing it to
move in right line.