The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-13
BREECH.LOADING SMALL ARMS.

The fruitful inventions in the implements Of
warfare which characterized the recent war
on our own soil, and the decisive results which
always told favorably of the more efficient
arm, have had the effect of lending new i'm
petus to American mechanical genius in this
direction. The terrifying effect of the Prus-
sian needle-gun on the Austrian ranks in the
late European conflict also demonstrated the
value of an advanced idea, embodied in proper
mechanism, and pointing the purpose of bold
and resolute hearts. Yet the needle-gun is
cumbrous and innocent weapon compared with
the recent breech-loading arms which Ameri-
can inventors have lately produced. In view
of the advisability of securing a perfect arm
for the State service, Board of Examination
was some time ago appointed by Adjutant-
General S. E. Marvin of the State of New
York, whose purpose was to eliminate, from
wide and diverse range of mechanism, the
simplest and most efficient, with a view to the
conversion of the ordinary Springfield musket
into the best breech-loading arm. The Board
was admirably selected, and is composed
of Brigader-General G. w. Palmer, General
| w. G. Ward, Colonel g. w. Baker, and Colo
| uel DlldS w DuTI, dll Belllleuleu possessing Il
! thorough knowledge of the subject, and zeal
Gus in their efforts to secure for the State
| superior arm for its service. AS a result of
! the assembling of this Board, nearly two hun
! dred alterations of the breech- piece were
| entered for examination. Some dozen tests
were applied to each gun, under the require
ments as defined by General w. G. Ward.
| These consisted mainly of the proof-charge,
! where 60 grains of electric powder are used,
| to Of hn or1i
nent cartridge powder; the filled cartridge,
! which severely tests the strength the breech-
| piece, the effect of moisture sand, etc. ON the
| action of the mechanism of the breech, accu-
racy of fire, rapidity of fire, penetration, sim
| plicity of movement and construction, and
several other tests. Among the more promi-
nent inventions were those of Berdan, Empire,
Montstorm, LamsOn, Roberts, POultney,
Joslyn, Thunderbolt, Meigs, Remington Inn
proved, and the altered Needle-gun. The
! latter, in it's improved condition, could
! not develop rapidity of fire beyond
seven or eight rounds per minute in
! the hands of experts, while the Empire gun
expelled 100 balls in 4'20-the fastest time on
record-being an average of over % in one
minute. This gun, however, is easily dis
abled. The Berdan gun has fired Is shots in
one minute, and is the simplest and most eff
cient in construction. The Roberts gun i'm
4 PEELED ball through fifteen one-inch planks
at range of one hundred feet, and the Ber-
dan through fourteen. The others mentioned
were almost as remarkable for power and
rapidity of action. The Ball, Sharp, and
Spencer magazine guns were proved to be
failures, when compared with one of these
sngle-breech leaders, although balls were
expelled from the Ball magazine in 25 seconds,
but usually occupied as many seconds in the
refilling of the magazine. The labors of the
Board will be concluded in few days, when
it will be known which is the best and most
reliable breach-loading small arm that Ameri-
can inventive genius has yet produced, as the
Board has labored, with diligence since early
in December last, and are fully competent for
the decision.