MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 91 



very different from the ordinary rifle, the invention being confined to 

 the'lock alone. That which composes the lock of the present rifle is 

 fastened forward, with a hinge, to the barrel of the gun, and a spring 

 or latch fastens 4he other end of the lock to the stock. This latch 

 being turned, the lock swings forward like a gate, and to it are 

 attached all the principal appliances of the invention. The guard of 

 the hand over the trigger of the ordinary gun, swings with the lock 

 on Porter's rifle, and upon it depends the evolutions and works for 

 firing. The barrel is fastened to the stock upon the side opposite the 

 lock, by a long steel arm, (a continuation of the barrel,) between 

 which and the lock, when closed, is an open space, about three inches 

 in length, and a half or three quarters of an inch in width. At the 

 front of this space is the open butt of the rifle barrel, and at the other 

 end is the wooden termination of the stock. A cylinder, about three 

 inches in circumference, in which are the charges, fits tightly in this 

 aperture, and completes the invention. Around the edge of this 

 cylinder are nine holes running towards its centre, in which are placed 

 the powder and ball; at the lower end of each charge, into the side 

 of the revolving cylinder, are the touchholes, which successively fall 

 under the hammer of the lock and communicate with the cap. The 

 latch of the lock being opened, the lock is thrown forward, and this 

 nine charged cylinder is set edgwise into the aperture, at the foot of 

 the barrel, with its axis on one side reaching through its steel arm, and 

 the axis on the other side fitting into the lock, which is now closed. 

 The guard of the trigger being furnished with a handle is pressed 

 forward, and thrusts a spring into a niche in the side of the cylinder, 

 and as the guard is brought back to its place, it raises the hammer of 

 the gun, and revolves the cylinder, bringing one of its charges in 

 direct connection with the barrel. Under the hammer of the gun, on 

 the lock, is a spring cap box, which constantly throws a cap over the 

 touchhole of the cylinder, when the hammer is raised. The gun 

 being fired, the guard is again pressed forward, a simple metallic spring 

 pushes away the exploded cap, and when the guard is again brought 

 back, a new charge is under the cap, and before the barrel, ready to 

 fly upon its mortal errand. When the nine charges are fired, the lock 

 is unlatched, a new charged cylinder takes the place of the one used, 

 and the firing is renewed with great rapidity. If it is not desired to 

 add new cylinders, it is but the work of a moment to revolve the one 

 used, and load it while in the barrel. An iron ramrod, about twelve 

 inches long, is fastened in its centre upon the top of the barrel, with 

 one end reaching over the cylinder ; and as the charges revolve, one 

 end of it is raised, which gives a lever power at the other for pressing 

 down the load. This gun has many superior merits over any other 

 known. It is water-proof, all the touchholes being perfectly air tight 

 while revolving against the lock. The rifle barrel can be supplied by 

 that of any other species of fire arms either by a shot gun or pistol. 

 It will shoot forty times per minute, and with as much accuracy as any 

 other rifle. It is well guarded against accident, there being no cap 

 over the touchhole until the hammer is raised. This gun has attracted 



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