MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 123 



8. That the retraction of the empty cartridge-case should be by 

 a positive motion, independent of springs. 



9. That openings through the bottom of the receiver or the 

 chamber are objectionable. 



10. That the firing-pin should be strong and preferably in one 

 piece. 



11. That in the conversion of guns owned by the State, the re- 

 duction of calibre by reinforcement of the barrel is not advisable. 



12. That the experiments thus far made are not sufficient to 

 determine the result of the reduction in size of working parts by 

 continued wear in service. 



Of the arms presented to and tested by the board, it reports: 



1. Of those adapted to conversion of muzzle-loaders, it deems the 

 Allin, the Berdan and the Roberts, as superior in all respects to any 

 and all the others. But each of these arms possessing distinctive 

 features, more or less meritorious in themselves and in their combi- 

 nation, the board recommends a farther and more extended 

 competitive trial of these several arms, under such rigid regula- 

 tions and requirements as- the board may establish, to which 

 regulations and requirements the several competitors shall con- 

 sent and subscribe before entering their arms. 



Of the remaining arms adapted to conversions the board would 

 place in order of merit as follows : 4th, Josh'n's cap ; 5th, 

 Meigs' ; 6th, Gray's ; 7th, Milbank's, and 8th, Lampson's. 



2. Of original guns not adapted to conversion the board re- 

 port in order of merit: 1st, Remington's improved; 2d, Pea- 

 body's; 3d, Poultney's; 4th, The National; 5th, Robertson and 

 Simpson's ; 6th, Sharp's ; 7th, Ballard's, and 8th, Miller's. 



3. In regard to magazine or repeating arms, the board is con- 

 vinced that for the present their use should be confined to the 

 cavalry service, as an examination of the record shows that single 

 breech-loaders are capable of being fired at least as many times 

 per minute as a repeating arm, and are more simple in construc- 

 tion and less liable to derangement. In the cavalry service the 

 proper management of the horse in action may render a repeating 

 arm desirable as relieving the soldier from the embarrassment of 

 loading in critical periods. The limited force of cavalry in the 

 State service renders an immediate decision on this point unim- 

 portant, and the board recommends a delay in the selection and 

 purchase of repeating arms, as several new inventions are now 

 being perfected, and will soon be presented for trial and compe- 

 tition. 



The board report in favor of " central fire " cartridges, the case 

 to be made of brass and somewhat conical in form. More com- 

 plete lubrication than is usual is particularly recommended. The 

 Berdan cartridge is favorably mentioned. Army and Navy Jour- 

 nal. 



CONVERSION OF MUZZLE-LOADERS INTO BREECH-LOADERS. 



The United States Government has already adopted a plan for 

 converting, which has not only the approval of the Secretary of 



