West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-09-06

BREFCH-LoADING SHOT Guns
Breech loading fire arms were invented
ana used by several nations as early ~
the sixteenth century, and specimens o
them are now to be found I'm the arse
nails and museums I'm nearly all the can
itals of Europe. Within the last hun
dred years many attempts have been
made to improve the breech- loading
systems and apply them to shot guns, but
with only partial success until I'm 1896.
Nj. LefaucheuX, of Paris, invented
What Is known as the Lefaucheux pat
ent, and introduced cartridge cases made
OF paper and brass, or what Is called
the "Pin Fire" cartridge case. 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
oil discharge, and, consequently, caused
range and penetration of shot equal
TO that of good muzzle-loading guns.
In England these new inventions
were not favorably received, and 1t was
not until the large and excellent dis
play of breech-loading guns, made by
L3faucheuX and other Paris gun
makers, in the London Exhibition OF
1891, attracted such general attention
that the English gunmakers as class
began the manufacture of similar guns.
During the past twenty-five years the
most skllful 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
most perfect sporting guns ever made.
The double breech-loadings shot guns,
made by James Purdey 81 Sons, Lon
don, have never been equaled 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 81 Co,
w. q g. Scott & Son, z. Webley & Son,
w. w. Greener 81 Co., are less costly
ana Within the reach OF most spOrtsmen.
In this country the talents of invent
oTs have been largely directed TO inn
proving eech-loading fire arms, i'm
rlnes 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 81 Wesson
and known as theirs) Remington
and others. The perfection at
tained in this country i'm the manu-
Iacture OF metallic cartridges gave an
immense Impetus to the perfectlng of
0reech 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 rilled arms
ior military or sporting purposes.
By the application of machinery these
arms have been made at the various
private armOries I'm immense quantities.
finished 80 perfectly alike in all parts
that every piece IS interchangeable I'm
every arm Of the same class and pattern
but as shot guns require to be made
OF 80 many various bOres, weights,
lengths, bends, qualities. &C., Il was diff
hcult 20 produce them by means of ma
chtuery. The WessOn Arms Co. ana
Ethan Allen 81 Co, about 1870 at
tempted this, but were only partially
successful and soon abandoned IL. Al
forwards, by adopting few fixed
models as 20 bore, weight. &C., and n
limited variety Of styles Of finish and
quality, the application Of machinery
70 such work became practicable. and
most excellent shooting breech loading
shot guns are now made by Parker
brothers, Remington s. Sons, Nichols
q Lefevcr, Fox's Patent and Colts
'rN'+'tN r. ~ r - NA HAhlINI a'UNIlNE f.pfu=
pany the latter Is the last and most
successful in this line.
. Hammerless breeCh- loading shot gun
nave been made for several years Inn
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 au important
Improvement, however, and viii
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 brecch-
leaders Of English and American man
uiac'ure, in great variety, no the old csc
ADished house Of Joseph q. Grubb g.
Co, Philadelphia, and we we're botn
interested and surprised 40 the skiIml
WorAmanship, 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. 20 par
yes interested ln sucn things; their ar
fIN|Na arc rnIfnkIn aud r.rt....