The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-07-26

rel is conical, and is called the mouth
piece. Over this part, there is six
sided cylinder, which holds all the
mechanism of the piece. Tho air
chamber, next to tho cylinder, hus the
needle pipe screwed into its breecl.
Tho ball is sperio-conical The charge
Of powder is fifty six grains. The weight
Of the Prussian needlc-gun is 1927
pounds to 11.3 pounds. The mechau-
ism can be taken apart without screw
driver, vice, etc. 1t can be safely and
easily cleaned, and the gun being small
is particularly adapted for use in the con-
tinucd space Of loop-holes, on horseback,
etc. The objections to the Prnssian
ncedlc-gun are the danger of n weaken
ing of the spiral spring and the possi-
bility that the needle may not be propell-
ell with sufficient force to pierce tho
cartridge. On account of the ease aud
rapidity with which it is loaded, there is
also danger of a waste of ammunition,
rs the soldier, in the heat of bnttlc, will
often fire his piece as fast as possible,
even when ho knows tho firing has no
effect. To make the best use of tho
needle-gun the soldier requires special
training. The Prussian army il. very
we'll trained to its use, and in this re-
spcct has an advantage over the French,
who have never been into great battle
with their Chassepot.
THE CHAssEpoT. firo-arm which
hns been adopted by the French army is
the celebrated Chasscpot rifle, which is
probably the most efficient weapon ever
put into the hands of an army of infnn-
try. 1t resembles tho Prussian needle
gun. but possesses several improvements.
During the late war between Prussia
and Austria, the effective work of the
newlyinvented necdle-gun attracted the
notice of all fighting nations; and the
French, anticipating that they would
sometime DO called upon to punish
Prussia for her alleged arrogance and
want of honor, Immediately set to work
to invent weapon that should surpass
the ncedle-gnn in its power as an engine
OF war The result was the invention Of
NJ Chasscpot: after long and careful
stndy, having the Prussian gun to aid
him and to improve upon. After the
new rifle had been tested over and over
again, the attention Of tho Emperor was
invited to it, and it was not long before
he was convinced of its superiority, and
ordered its adoption in the army.
One of the principal improvements
which the Chassepot has over the needle.
gun Of Prussia, is that its movement is
simpler, and instead of being tightly en-.
closed in the breach by cylinder, it is
almost fully exposed, and the employ
ment Of India rubber as M obturator
1t is argued that the Prussan gun, after
it has been discharged several times il
quick succession, becomes hot and damn
in the chamber, owing to the inability O
yrI n1o hoo off l,o
plosion Of the cartridge to escape. The
inside soon becomes dirty. and tho sol
der is required to take his piece apar
and clean it. The French gun, MS may
be seen by the cut, is always open, ant
while there is no gas shut up in cham
Der to ccrrode the metal. it cnn in mo
mcnt he cleansed from dirt or rust, an(
the soldier is always able to quickly dis
cover any accident to his rifle. It i:
claimed that this gun is. not SO easil,
cloggcd as the Prussian needle gun, ant
is more substantially built.
The Chassepot is handled in the fol
lowing manner: While loading hold tho
gun i'll the left hand, with the but-cnG
resting on the left hip. The lever is
then turned with but ono movement
from right to left, and with another
pulled back, after which the cartridge i.
inserted into the opening thus effected
BY third movcmcnt-pnshing back til,
lever into its original position-thc gur
becomes ready to be fired of. The
projectile is IL rather long slug, with tho
end rounded and pointed like oUc rifle
ball. The charge. which is attached tc
it in paper covering, is composed of &
peculiar powder, specially manufactured
for the purpose The distance Mt which
this gun carries with certainty is rery
considcrable-ove 1000 metres Both
the infantry and the cbasseurs have only
the one model, but the bayoncts differ
in SO far as those Of the chasscurs are
sword bayonets.
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