Year: 1870

is the weapon Of France 1t is by some.
who have given it a study, regarded as the
most formidable weapon ever put into the
hands of Il soldier resembles the Prussian
needle-gun, but possesses several improv-
ments. During the late war between
Prussia and Austria, the effective work of
the newly-invented needle-gun attracted
the notice of all fighting nations: and the
French, anticipating that they would some
time be called upon to encounter Prussia
on the field of battle, Immediately set to
work to invent weapon that should sur
pass the needle-gun in its power as an en-
gine of war. The result was an invention
by M. Chassepot, after long and careful
study, having the Prussian gun to- aid him
and to improve upon. After the new rifle
had been tested over and over again, the
attention of the Emperor was invited to it,
and it was not long before he was con-
vinced of its superiority, and ordered its
adoption in the army.


One Of the principal improvements
which the Chassepot has over the needle
gun is that its movement is simpler, and
instead of being tightly enclosed in the
breech by cylinder it is almost fully ex-
posed. The employment of India rubber
as an obturator is only another novelty.
1t is argued that the needle gun, after it
has been discharged several times in
quick succession, becomes hot and damp
in the chamber, owing to the inability of
the gas which comes back after the explo-
sion of the cartridge to escape. The in
side soon becomes dirty, and the soldier
is required to take his piece apart and
clean it. The Chessepot is always open,
and while there is no gas shut up in II
chamber to corrode the metal, it can in
a moment be eleansed from dirt or rust,
and the soldier is always able to quickly
discover any accident to his weapon. 1t
is also claimed that the Cheeepot is not so
clogged as the needle-gun, and is more
substantially built.


There is an opening on the right hand
side of the chamber for the insertion of the
cartridge. The chamber is filled by
movable cylinder, which may be moved
back or forward, by handle. The cylin-
der surrounds the shaft and revolves
around the ram 1t contains the spring
by which the needle is propelled. The
rear end of the shaft is made in the shape
of handle. The spring is compressed
when this handle is drawn back. A
shoulder on the shaft comes in contact
with the cylinder when the arm is at rest.
When loaded and ready for firing the two
parts are drawn asunder. The shaft also
| serves to protect the needle, which is sur
rounded by the same, and is forced out of
the front end of the shaft as soon as the
trigger is pulled After the cartridge has
been inserted the knob is pressed forward
and is then laid over on the right hand
side. The aperture is then closed. By
the first of these two movements the cylin-
der is moved forward, thereby forcing the
cartridge into the breech; the second
movement secures the cylinder so that it
can be thrown back by the force of the
explosion The pulling the trigger re-
leases the spiral spring which then forces
the needle through the percussion wafer
and explodes the powder in the cartridge.


The Chassepot is handled in the follow
ing manner While loading, hold the
gun in the left hand with the butt end rest
ing on the left hip. The lever is then
turned with but one movement, from right
and left, and with another pulled back,
after which the cartridge is inserted into
the opening thus effected. BY third
movement-pushing back the lever into
its original postion-the gun becomes
ready to be fired Off The projectie is
rather long slug with the end rounded
and pointed like our rifle ball. The
charge, which is attached to it in a paper
covering, is composed of a peculiar pow
der. specially manufactured for the pur-
pose The distance at which this gun
carries with a certainty is very consider
able-over 1000 metres. Both the in
fantry and the chasseur have only the
one model. but the bayonets differ, in so
far as those Of the chasseurs are sword
| bayonetS.