Year: 1870

King williams NeedIe-tsuns and NapoIeon's
riptions of the Rival Arms
Their DeudIy Precision.


The struggle between Prussia and France is to be
not only test of the strength of numbers but also
OF the deadly precision OF the rival breech-oaders
the needle-gun and Chassepot-with which the SOL
ders of the contendng nations are armed. Hitherto
although both of these formidable weapons have
had opportunity for the display of their qualities,
especially the needle-gun, they have not been
arrayed against each other, and the Chassepot is
vet comparatively an experiment. The results of
the first battle in the valley OF the Moselle will be
scanned with eagerness by those who take special
interest in the science of sudden slaughter. We
give the following descriptions OF the two rival en-
gineH of war;


Tie Prussian Needle-Gun,


known in the German tongue as the Zundnddelge-
tcehr is the invention of Mr. Dreyse, manufacturer
of arms at Sommerda, who spent over thirty years
in trying to construct perfect breech-loading rifle
The weapon invented by him is breech-oader con-
structed with plunger or slide which may be
drawn back from the breech end Of the barrel by a
stout handle, the cavity of the breech being then
exposed to view with its upper side open. In this
the cartridge is placed and the slide is pushed back
and secured by catch. In the centre OF the front
end is small hole for admitting the steel needle by
which the charge is fred and which exactly fills the
hole. This needle is thrown forward when required
by the sudden release OF strong spiral spring coed
up behind it ON the direct line Of the barrel, and



it constitutes the lock. The ignition is caused
by the needle, after penetrating the POWDER striK-
ing a Eliminating composition which is contained
in the base of the sperio-conical bullet. The i'm
portant principle involved In this arrangement Is
the firing Of the powder at the forward end, imme-
dlately in the rear Of the bullet instead Of behind
the entire charge is the case in an ordinary rifle
or musket. The impulse impaired to the bullet is
thus rendered gradual, and its inertia is
come before the full force Of the explosion strikes
it. Though the difference in time would appear to
be Insignificant 1t is far from being 80.


The barrel is 36'06 inches long, and is rined with
four grooves down to the breech, where the cham
ber or bed for the cartridge, is smooth and little
larger than the bore. The bed enlarges slightly to
the rear to admit the cartridge freely and the
lower part OF the bore for distance OF 617 inches
is enlarged that the ball is gradually compressed
into the grooves. The rear Of the barrel is cenca
and Is called the mouthpiece over this part there
is a six-sided cylinder, which holds all the mechan-
ism OF the piece. The air.chamber, next to the
cylinder has the needleppe screwed into its breech
The charge OF powder weighs 56 grains. The weight
OF the needle-gun is 1927 pounds to 11'3 pounds
The mechanism can be taken apart without screw
driver vice. ETC. 1t can be safely and easily cleaned
aud the gun being small is particularly adapted for
In the contracted space OF loop-hoes on horse
hack, etc.


The manner OF loading the needle-gun is as fol-
ows:-After it has been brought to a nearly hori-
zontal position, with the butt resting the right
hip, and the left hand at the lower band, and the
chamber drawn back from the mouthpiece, the cart
ridge is inserted through an opening in the cylinder
into its place, the chamber again brought up TO the
mouthpiece by means OF handle, and turned to the
right The locket is showed up, and a notch In the
handspring engages catch at the inner end OF
the chamber At the same time the middle Offset OF
the needlebolt is pressed against the triggerstop
thus compressing spiral spring, by the recoil OF
which the needle-bolt is driven forward. When the
trigger-stop is drawn down by pressure the trig
ger, the Offset OF the neede-bot Ia cleared the bolt
darts forward from the effects OF the spring, and
passes through the charge OF powder to the full
inmate in the centre OF the cartridge which is thus
exploded.


The objections to the needle-gun are the danger Of
weakening OF the spiral spring and the possibility
that the needle may not be propelled with sufcien
force to pierce the cartridge. On account Of tn,
ease and rapidity with which 1t is loaded, there il
also q danger OF a waste OF ammunition as the sol
der in the heat OF battle, will often fire his piece
fast as possible, even when he knows the firing ha,
no effect. To make the best use OF the needle-guI
the soldier requires special training. The Prussal
army is very well trained to its use and in thi
respect has an advantage over the French, who hav
never been into great battle with their Chassepot


The Uhassepot Rife,


hch Is regarded as the most formidable weapon
ever put into the hands OF soldier resembles tn
Prussian needle-gun, but possesses several improve
ments. During the late war between Prussia an,
Austria the effective work OF the newly-invente
needle-gun attracted the notice of all nghting ma
lions; and the French, anticipating that they woul
some time be called upon to encounter Prussia o.
the field OF battle, Immediately set to work TO inven
weapon that should surpass the needle-gun in il
power as an engine OF war; The result was the in
yention by NJ. Chassepot, after long and careful
study, having the Prussian gun 70 aid him and :
improve upon. After the new rife had been teste
over and over again, the attention OF the Elnpero
was invited to it, and II was not long before he wa
convinced OF its superiority, and ordered its adoI
ton In the army.


One OF the principal improvements which IN
Cbassepot has oyer the needle gun is that ts moyS