Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-04-06
LOCKS AND BARRELS.
A UNITED STATES ARMY OFFICER
TALKS ABOUT RIFLES.

=
The Leading Characteristics of the Differ
, ent Inventions-An Experts Explana-
| tions Concerning the Various Weapons
/ of interchangeable Guns.
ssWhat can you tell me about the history
and merits of this rifie!" asked the reporter OF
Capt. S. A. Day, picking up handsome
Springfield.
ssThat is beginning right at home" was the
reply. 1.-THE Springfield rifle is the one with
which our own troops are armed. 1t has the
hinged breech block, with the upward and
forward action. 1t is good gun, and has
done good service, but it is little out OF
date 1t is good for 800 yards, but not foot
further. We have tried to shoot it at l,Ooo
Yards. but our only hope with it at that dis
lance is scratching or accidental scores"
'sWhat is this?"
.That is gun we have all heard great
deal about-the Martini-Henry rifle, with
which the English army is provided. 1t has
been used in more countries than any other
life. except possibly the Remington. In
;pme respects it is just the opposite of the
American army gun 1t has the hinged
breech block, opening backward and down.
ward. instead of forward and upward. This
Is an excellent gun. The barrels are well
made and the British manufacturers have
the knack of growing it very effectively.
1t is the gun shot in international matches.
American riflemen should have great respect
for this gun, for it is the one with which our
national teams have been twice defeated. 1t
is a handy gun-it is a 'gunny gun. 1t feels
Alike a gun in the hand. A man would trust
that gun almost anywhere if he had plenty of
ammunition"
"Here is Sharps rife-isn't that little
out of date, too~
"There are no more of them made now,
except one once in while by hand. This is
the style of weapon that was sent from the
east to border settlers in Kansas and Ne
braska, along with Bibles, during the troub-
lous times just before the war This indl-
vidual gum" continued Capt. Day, patting
the butt affectionately, sis very fine long
range Sharps- Borchardt. 1t is a gun with
history, having won many prizes at long
range, not, however, in my hands. 1t is
used BY marksmen when they lie down or
double and twist their bodies into almost
every figure known in the consultations of
the heavens. Its action is excellent, having
a square, falling breach block, containing
in the prolongation of the bore, thus causing
the least possible disturbance of the piece in
firing"
"What can you say about this Remington"
tsThat is the gun formerly known among
national guardsmen as the gas pipe There
have been more guns of this kind made for
and used by armies, raiding parties, filibus-
tering expeditions, instructions, ETC., than
of any other arm ever invented. 1t has a
rolling block, falling backward and down
ward, leaving free way through the bar
rel for inspection and cleaning. Iii simple
fty itself, and has an excellent action. The
barrel, however, is too light for long range
or heavy work, but it has killed many a
man in many cline"
'sThis other gun, believe" said the re-
porter, "you referred to as being remarka-
Bile gun with a remarkable record. Is it not
an ordinary Winchester repeating rife?'
"Rather an extraordinary one. This par
ticular gun has been fired more than AZ, 900
times by DIR. Carver and is still in fair ORDER
showing only little weakness of the main
spring The Winchester is the leading sport
ing gun of the world, and more game has
been killed by it than with all other guns put
together.
'But this brings us into the domain of
magazine guns There are three pronounced
leading types, with some twenty-five or
thirty variations of which have knowledge,
and there are doubtless a great many more
Individual notifications of these types For
purposes of convenience have selected the
Winchester, the Lee and the Spencer as typi-
flying the three great classes.
''The well known Winchester has a fixed
tubular magazine, with lever action. The
Hotchlziss is bolt gun, with a tubular mag
azine in the butt instead of in the stock, as
is the case with the Winchester and many
others. There" said Capt Day, after eject
ing number of shells over his shoulder
from both guns, ''you can see how compli-
Gated are the motions necessary in using
these guns.
ssThe Lee magazine stands alone of its kind,
although there are many notifications of it.
Il is detached magazine, with cartridges
auperimposed one upon the other like the
fingers on the hand. The great and import
ant feature Of this gun is the detachability of
the magazine. Asa military man, have no
hesitation in saying that it is just as import
ant for troops to be armed with detachable
magazine for cartridges as it is for them to
be supplied with fixed bayonets. When an
order to six bayonets!' has been given and
oeyoo' an ons - A a,s .-.ao IL ilen arc
pep ~ Ven q Ina. 81 az ,no WIZ ~
Son. nlia W.; 2nu, ~ NV sa,hiiai Setll.y
Ue 1eic "nen "ai W - a., aotacA!
&c .no o an - .sa al o, NE:
.nay leiS o e'.m a., ii .le 10 Inen
E1a a;o IL, iu,i aau -. pa,e o.nins
n n, sise LII IL ciisiS'
In nis 10 .ne 5000, 80 ~ IN 1op' ~ "nien
aay ny y: nc - no"erei,
.l4ls ie:yo - Si "iUn inany o'ner
Su,.' "nlen' Pc son, Nv n r liA1-i.
WI aoslon p.eJu 4u,a 10 nessy ioau ioi
my inan w ~ w onio WIZ ou'
my dislike Ior pol1 guns. Inc inventor Oh
bnls gum however, MI. JAMES I. Lee, was SO
expert WIN IL tnac ne coula nave three or
four snots on tne way 10 i,"o yard target
at one .i,he. Huch skili Is aetalhaple Dy ie"
men, ana tne Dol1 action Is necessarily SLOW