The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-10-30
: A NON-BURSTING GUN.
A MECHANIC MIKES A CANNON
WHICH CAN NOT BE EXPLODED.
The idea Caught T, ors q Gyrating Cuspi-
dor-Testing an Experimental Gun
at West Point-Not To
BE BUrsted.
[Scientific Americana

[Scientifc Americana
Lying snuyly housel near the point OF
Sandy Hook. Is great gun, nearly thirty
feet long. 1t has been there for some time,
and Is an object of curiosity to all who
visit the neighborhool. i. This gun was de-
siged in part by Mr.. George Z igar. and Is
his property. Many thousands Of dollars
ha o been spent upon its construction and
exhibition. but though a military COMMITTEES
reported favorably upon it, no steps were
taksn by the government toward pnrehaS-
ing the patents taken out by its construc-
tors The claims made for the gun refer
exclusively to the bresch, which Is said to
posses no little novelty and merit
Not long ago Mr.. Edgar visited Washing
ton ON bushes - connected with this gun lie
was accompanied by an American mschani-
clan and designer OF guns now employed by
the Russian government to conduct their
great gun works on the Neva After
somewhat unsatisfactory visit to the war
department, the two were sitting in the cafe
of tie Ebbitt house, discussing the chances
Of the adoption Of the principle of the big
gun by the military authorities
They tell me-" said Mr.. Edgar, shat
wnat they want is q gun that won't ex-
plode; when they get such a one, they say
they expect to have no trouble In finding an
easy working and efficient breech mechan-
ISM"
"Yes," replied his companion. @thats
what they are looking for all over the
worll."
The two msn sat silent for some time.
Finally, Mr.. Edgar, In crossing his legs,
kicked off the cover from an India rubber
cuspidor. Like most Of these contrivances,
thi cover was made OF hard rubber with
beveleI edge, the sides as they slopsi
toward the hole In the center having n fall
or decline of about 80 degrees from a plane.
CAUGHT THE IDEA.
Mr.. Edgar observed this cover intently
as it rolled and gyrated about the marble
| floor Before it came to q dead stop be
seized it with something like precipitation,
and with sparkling eyes exclaimed to his
companion, ~rve got itI'
@Got whatf' asked the latter languidIy.
"rve got the principle on which the nom
bursting gun can be constructed"
| aBahP
Not needing this expression OF incredulity
| on the part Of his friend, q man, too, OF
great skill in metal working, MIR. Edgar
| gave such forcibie reasons for believing 9
; non-bursting gun could be constructed OF
series Of plates similar In form to the top o
1 II
admit that there was something in the idea
Returning to New York city, Mr. Eigal
at once set to work to make a gun on th'
plan suggested by the incident in the Ebbiti
house cafe. This experimental gun is fouI
feet long, and composed throughout ita
whole extent of corrugated plates OF Rus
sian iron At its completion, he took it NJ
to West Point, which, he had been told II
Washington, was one of the government
testing points for guns.
On his arrival at the works, and mention
ing the fact ths.t he had new gun witt
him. he was told that the number Of new
guns constantly appearing was legion 9TH
KggRh ydsS 4I dfs. ot the shems@a masauiy. What Kin;
Of a test do you want US t. put your gul
tor he added.
"Wby," replied Mr. Edgar, Il woul
like to have you burst it"
Certainly" said the officer, with some
thing like sarcasm In his voice. "We'r
always glad to accommodate gentleme
with new gum"
STOOD THE sEvEREST TESTS.
The gun was now taken beind a hill,
d uble charge Of powder introduced, an
fired with time fuse. 1t turned two G
three back somersaults, but remained IN
tact It was now loaded with q quadrup
charge and fired, the only effect being
multiply the number of the back somsl
saulrs
"This Is very good indeed" said sh
officer. ~Pm sorry to keep you waiting s.
long. I'll now load 1t up to the muzzlt
and that will be the last Of it." Fired unde
these conditions, it rose in the air. whirls
around for a few moments and then cam
down and buried itself in the earth. Art.
being dug up it was charged nearly up
the muzzle with powder and wad, and the
spikel The only result was that 1t ro'
higher in the air than before, spun aroun
moro rapidly. and buried itself deeper
the ground when it came down. 1t had n'
even been chippedl
as there anything else you'd like to pt
into itg' demanded Mr.. Eigar, it bein
now his turn to be ironicaL
"No!' was the reply; "it beats mo-" Ha
ing thus stumped the gun-testing author
ties. Mr. z igar brought his little gun ba'
| e. N.u vnrL in triu