96 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCO VEBY. 



was 3-J- and longitudinal 48-J; at twenty degrees elevation and 4,934 yards it 

 was 4 and 37 ; and at twenty-five degrees and 5,581 yards it was 5 and 19. 



" The ground where these experiments were made did not admit of a greater 

 elevation of twenty-five degrees being used, and therefore all calculations be- 

 yond that are still speculative ; but those who know any thing of practice at 

 these distances will at once perceive the unusual precision arrived at with a 

 very small charge of powder, and all practical gunners are aware of the lateral 

 tendency which a ball discharged from a grooved barrel has to tho side it 

 turns toward; to correct which, the inventor has now placed a horizontal 

 scale on the perpendicular one, for the guidance of the commander of the gun; 

 and, to conclude the advantages which this invention seems to possess, tho 

 charge does not cost more than that of an ordinary gun. 



Graham's Revolving Rifle. The chambers of this revolving rifle hang per- 

 pendicularly, differing in this respect from all other inventions. The use of 

 the rifle is thus rendered perfectly safe. In case a loaded chamber should go 

 off accidentally the charge will go downward, without the possibility of injur- 

 ing the holder of the rifle, and the lever underneath the next chamber is also 

 thrown up in range with the barrel. The chambers contain eight charges, 

 and can be taken out in a moment. On the very instant another set of eight 

 chambers can be inserted. Thus, after eight charges have been fired, eight 

 more are ready, and so 'in as many of the eight chambers as may be carried 

 or is required, saving the carrying of any other ammunition. 



The Exit Rifle. This is the name given to a self-priming, breech-loading 

 Minie rifle, recently invented by Mr. Joseph Day, of Hackettstown, N. J. 

 The self-priming apparatus may be attached as well to the ordinary govern- 

 ment rifle, and may be properly considered first as a distinct invention. The 

 passage for the caps is capable of containing eighty, which in turn are thrust 

 forward moderately until the hammer is within half an inch of the nipple, 

 when one is sent "flying" into a suitable semi-cylindrical cavity, and imme- 

 diately forced down upon the nipple and discharged. There is no "sear- 

 spring" in the lock the main-spring being made to serve all purposes, ex- 

 cept such as relate to the self-priming mechanism. In this latter there are 

 two small springs one to catch in cavities in the side of the channel, and 

 prevent the retreat of the caps as they are forced forward by each movement 

 of the hammer, and the Other confines the forward cap until a sufficient 

 amount of the valuable quality termed "push" is acquired to send it rapidly 

 and certainly into its proper place. The loading is effected by allowing the 

 barrel slightly to " see saw." Imagine the barrel of the piece suspended on 

 trunnions like a cannon (except that the trunnions are within about four 

 inches of the breech) the barrel being kept in line with the breech by the 

 aid of a close fitting ring which covers the joint. "When wishing to load, the 

 ring is drawn back by the aid of a false trigger, and the barrel at once pre- 

 sents an open end to receive the charge. A slight jerk now shears off the 

 cartridge and brings the barrel again into line, when the ring springs forward 

 and perfects the joint. The provisions for holding the trunnions and limiting 

 the play of the barrel are very strong, simple, and light, and the whole, lock 

 and all, are finally secured by the aid of one single screw. 



