The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-08-09

1t is noticeable that the war of the
ninetecntli century is transferred to the
artisans shop. and that diplomacy and
''tented fields" arc hut agencies and in
struments wherewith is obtained trial
Of the inventive genius of bellicose na-
tions.
THE NEEDLE GUN.
The Prussian needle. gun is the inyeii.
ton Of Mr.. Drcyse, manufacturer oil
arms at Sommerda who spent over tliir.
ty years in trying to construct a breech-
loading rife. The cartridge is inserted
at the rear, and the ignition is produced
by the intrusion of anecdIc into the full
inmate attached to the cartridge. The
barrel Is S006 inches long, and is riaed
with tour grooves down to the breech,
where the chamber, or bed for the cart,
ridge, is smooth and a little larger than
the bore. The bed enlarges slightly to
the rear so as to admit The cartridges
freely, and the lower part of the bore
for distance of eli inches is enlarged
SO that the bali is gradually compressed
into the grooves The rear of the bar
rel is conical, and is called the mouth
piece. Over this part there is six sided
Icylinder, which holds all TIC mechanism
of the piece The chamber, next
to the cylinder, has the needle, pipe
screwed into its breech.
At the time of the adoption of this
new gun the cartridge was altered, the
sabot icing enlarged and placed between
the powder and the ball.
The ball is spherio-conical. The charge
of powder is fifty six grains. The weight
of the Prussian needle-gun is 1927
pounds to ll.3 pounds. The mechan.
ism can be taken apart without screw
driver, wise, etc 1t can be safely and
easily cleaned, and the gun being small
is particularly adapted for use in the
contracted space of loop holes, ,on horse.
back, etc. The objections to the Prus
sian needle e-gun are the danger of a weak
eniag of the spiral spring and the pos.
sibillty that the needle may not be pro-
PEELED with sufficient force to pierce the
cartridge. On account of the ease and
rapidity with which 1t Is loaded there is
also danger Of q waste Of ammunition,
as the soldier, in the heat Of battle, will
often fire his piece as fast as possible,
even when he knows the firing has NO
effect To make the best use of tile needle
gun the soldier requires special training.
The Prussian army is very well trained
to its use, and in this respect has an adj
vantage over the French, who have new
er been into great battle with their
Chassepot.
THE CHAssEPor.
The iirearm which has been adopted
by the French army is the celebrated
Chassepot rife, which is probably the
most efficient weapon ever put into the
hands of aii army of infantry. 1t re
sembles the Pfussian needle-gun, but
possesses several improvements. Du-
ring. the late var between Prussia and
Austria the effective work of the newly
inverted needle gun attracted the notice
of all fighting nations and the French,
anticipating that they would some time
be called upon to punish Prussia for her
alleged arrogance and want OF honor,
Immediately, set to work to invent a weap.
on that should surpass the needle gun III
its power as an engine Of war. The re-
suit was the invention by NJ. Chassepot,
after long and careful study, having the
Prussian gun to aid him and to improve
upon. After the new rife had been test
ed over and over again, the attention of
the Emperor was invited to lt,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, aud instead Of being tightly in
closed in the brecch by cylinder, It is
almost fully exposed, and the employ.
ment of India rubber as an obturator.
It is argued that the Prussian gun, after
I has been discharged several times in
quick succession, becomes hot and damp