Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-09-03

DREICH-l-pADlNt = u VI I - -
Breech- h-loading fire arms were invented
and used by several nations as early q
the sixteenth century, and specimens OF
them are now 10 be found in the arse
mails and museums in nearly all the cap
itals of Europe. Within the last hun
dred years many attempts have been
made TO improve the breech-loadlng
systems and apply them TO shot guns, but
with only partial success until IN 1886.
NJ. Lefaucheux, of Paris, invented
what is known as the LefaucheuN pat
ent, and introduced cartridge cases made
of paper and brass, or what is called
the "Pin Fire" cartridge ease. This
cartridge case was a most important and
valuable addition to the breech-loading
systems, as it practically and effectually
closed up the breech OF the gun and
prevented the escape of the exploded
gases in that direction at the moment
OF discharge, and, consequently, caused
a range and penetration of shot equal
to that of good muZzle-loading guns.
In England these new inventions
were not favorably received, and it was
not until the large and excellent dis
play of breech-loading guns. made by
LafaucheuN and other Paris gun
:,
1851. attracted such general attention
that the English gunmakers as class
began the manufacture of similar guns.
During the past twenty-five years the
most skilful gunmakers in England
have given much time and ingenuity TO
perfecting breech-loaders, and many
improvements have been Introduced,
which have resulted in producing the
rna1.a
The double breech-,Oadings shot guns,
made by James Purdey & Sons, Lon
don, have never been equaied for finish,
quality and power, but they are very
expensive and only owned by sports
men OF fine tastes and abundant means.
The guns made by Charles Lancaster,
Stephen Grant. Westley Richards * Co.,
I W. tS c. Scott x Son, Il. Webley IL Son,
W. w. Greener Il Co, are less costly
and within the reach OF most SpOrtsmen.
In this country the talents of Invent
ors have been largely directed to i'm
: proving breech- loading fire arms, in
/ rifles and pistols particularly, and our
readers are. no doubt, familiar with the
names of Colt, Allen, Sharps, Rollin
White Inventor of the original
/ patent used by Smith IL WessOn
. anu hIoN IL ds
and others. The perfection at
tanned in this country in the manu-
facture of metallic cartridges gave an
immense impetus to the perfecting OF
/ breech loading rifles and pistols, and
| the United States now stands at the
! head of all nations as the producer OF
/ the best and most effective riied arms
for military or sporting purposes.
By. the application of machinery these
| arms have been made at the various
/ private armories in immense quantities,
| finished so perfectly alike in all parts
that every piece Is interchangeable in
/ every arm of the same class and pattern; !;
but as shot guns require to be made
! of so many various bores, weights,
lengths, bends, qualities, &c, it was diff
/ ficult TO produce them by means of ma
! chinery. The Wesson Arms Co. ana
Ethan Allen & Co., about 1870, at
tempted this, but were only partially
successful and soon abandoned it. Af-
terwards, by adopting a few fixed
models as to bore, weight, &C., and a
/ limited variety of styles of finish and
quality, the application of machinery
to such work became practicable, and
most excellent shooting breech loading
shot guns are now made by Parker
Brothers, Remington 8 Sons, Nichols
d Lefever, FOx's Patent and Colts
Patent Fire Arm Manufacturing Com
pany; the latter is the last and most
successful in this line.
Hammerless breech-loading shot guns
have been made for several years in
England, and some handsome speci-
mems were shown at the Centennial
| Exhibition In Philadelphia, but they
are being slowly introduced into this
country. They embrace an important
Improvement, however, and will
gradually grow into favor as their
merits become better known and they
are reduced in price.
] We recently had an opportunity to
examine and compare modern breech-
leaders of English and American man.
ufacture, in great variety, at the old es-
tablished house of Joseph c. Grubb d
Co., Philadelphia, and we were both
interested and surprised at the skilful
workmanship, beauty of form, and
great efficiency developed IN this branch
of industry. This firm has printed
pamphlets, nicely illustrated, which
they will send, without charge, to par
ties interested in such things; their ar
ticles are reliable and prices moderate.