The Placer herald., 1870-07-30
NATIONAL WAR WEAPONS.


Of the favorite weapons-the needle-gun and
the chassepot. These guns will be much
talked of and our readers should famarize
themselves with their description and effect
iveness.
THE PRUSsIAN NEEDLE-GUN.
This weapon, which was used so effectively
by the Prussans in the war with Austria,
was invented as long ago as 1909, by PAUL.:
and later, in 1927, a needle-gun, similar to
the one adopted by the Prussians, was sub
mitted to the Russian Government by John
Nicholas Dreyse, but not adopted. 1t was
muzzle-loader, but it embraced the needle
and the illuminate, which constitute the prin-
cipal features Of the present needle-gun.
Dreyse was encouraged by Frederick Will
liam H. of Prussia to continue his expert
ments, and in 1886 he perfected the present
needle-gun, which may now be considered
the national firearm of Prussia. 1t is some
what complicated in its construction, and
Objectionable on some account, but it is never
theless very effective weapon, and is pre-
fered by many military men to any other in
use. The length of the Prussian gun, in
Guiding the bayonet, is six feet four inches,
being the longest in use in Europe. The
barrel has four grooves, the spiral of ritlng
being one turn in forty inches, which Is
nearly twice that of the Endfeld rife. The
weight of the solid ball is 451 grains, and
of the charge of powder sixty-ive grains.
The piece is discharged by means of needle
attached to bolt, with a small iron knob
upon it instead of hammer. This knob is
portion of the breech which can be either
turned in the cylindrical brecch-receiver, or
be made to slide longtudinally. The cart
ridge, which is encased in paper, is inserted
in the breech The powder is first placed in
the bottom of the paper case, then follows a
compressed paper sabot, which cleans the
bore of the gun, and in which is fitted the
bullet. The illuminate is placed in front OF
the gunpowder and between it and the sabot.
The needle is attached to the needle-bolt,
which slides with the lock, and this latter
slides within the breech. There is an air
chamber in the rear of and in communica-
on with the cartridge chamber of the barrel,
around the front part of the needle-bolt. The
main spring, by which the needle Is shot
forward, is of spiral form and colled around
the needle-bolt in the rear of the collar This
collar forms catch for the sere, and thus
keeps the bolt drawn back when the hammer,
or lock, is cooked. In the same piece with
the sere is the sere-spring at the end OF
which is the trigger In loading the gun,
the needle-bolt is drawn back by the mob so
that the cartridge may be inserted in its
chamber. When it is fired the needle first
receives the gunpowder bat does not fire it
| Il
until it enters the illuminate, when the ex-
plosion instantly takes place. This fumi-
nate, or "zandspiegel'' is a secret OF the IN
ventor, and possesses some power by means
of which ignition takes place the instant the
needle is brought into contact with it. Ger
tainly it is different from ordinary fulmnat-
inc compounds, and no other ammunition than
that made expressly for this gun can be
used.
THE CuAssEPoT.
The Chassepot is breech-loadins needle
gun, but differing somewhat in its mechan-
lsn from that adopted by Prussia. 1t is
French invention, made by Alphonse Antoine
Chassepot, who was formerly head viewer OF
the Central Depot of Paris, and who was
afterward rewarded for his discovery with
the title of Chevalier of the Legion Of Honor.
The success of the Prussian needle-gun led
the French Emperor to appoint commission
of military men to examine the various wear-
ons offered, and select the most perfect one
for the use of the French army. The Chass-
epot was thus selected, and became the ma
t.onal frearm of France. 1t is about four
feet three inches in length, and weighs a tnie
less than nine pounds 1t is riiied with four
spiral grooves, turning from lett to right, ana
going once around in the space OF twenty-one
and half inches. Its calibrc is 433-lOoOths
of an inch. The needle is fixed in the end
of a bolt. which slides inside the breech, and
is shot forward into the fulminate in the
cartridge, by which means the piece is dis
charged. The mechanism is perhaps little
less complicated than that of the Prussian
needle-gun, and the cartridge more perfectly
formed. The principal advantages claimed
for the Chassepot consist in the greater ra-
pdity with which it may be discharged and
its greater cleanliness. 1t may be fired at
the rate of twelve times in minute for
about four minutes, when the rate is slack
ened as the soldier becomes fatigucd; and
it may be discharged $50 times or so with
out requiring to be cleaned. The Prussian
needle-gun requires frequent cleaning, ard
,nnot be fired so rapidly. The ChassePot
cartridge is completely consumed, and the
cos 'ng of the breech is SO perfect that none
of the gasses escape, but are utilized in pro-
peng the bullet. But there is one serious
drawback in using this weapon, as it is found
that, after rapid firing for some time, it be
comes so hot as to be dangerous. Unless
this defect shall be overcome, the usefulness
of the Chassepot as an effective military arm
will be seriously questioned, and it may have
to give way, before the present European
war is closed, to the Enfield, Spencer, Bee
d IN, or some other breech loading rifle. The
superiority of the needle and illuminate over
the percussion cap is by no means generally
admitted, especially in America. m
A female amendment mas been lailcd al
Nashville for burning up her baby.