116 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



small amount of metal required for the breech mechanism, com- 

 bined at the same time with great strength ; the small number of 

 parts ; the easy manner of taking out the breech-block ; using a 

 whole stock ; retaining the ordinary permanent guard, and the 

 regulation lock. The compactness of the breecli mechanism is 

 also particularly noticeable, none of it swinging out of the gun, 

 except the tail-piece of the breech-block, which rises only three- 

 fourths of an inch, and is back of the hammer, which serves to pro- 

 tect it. Cocking the hammer and closing the breech can also be 

 done by the same operation. 



The joint-pin can be taken out, and the breech-block removed, 

 without the aid of any instrument. 



The alteration of muzzle-loading guns to breech-loading, by 

 this system, adds but one quarter of a pound to the weight. 



The ammunition is put up in such form that no change of 

 weather will effect it; and dampness, or even complete immersion 

 in water, will do it no injuiy. The powder and explosive fuhui- 

 nate are both deposited in a metallic shell, the ball is entered, and 

 the shell closed tightly around it, a blow being necessary to ignite 

 the fulminate in the rim of the cartridge-shell. By this means, 

 the powder is preserved from any action of the weather, and the 

 cartridge is at all times ready for use, while it can be transported 

 with entire safety. 



The Peabody gun is meeting much favor abroad, particularly in 

 those countries whose people are skilled in the use of fire-arms. 

 The Providence Tool Company supplied 15,000 of these arms to 

 the Swiss government, and we give below a very satisfactor}' 

 statement of the result of their use. The company is now en- 

 gaged in filling a similar order for another European government. 

 The Swiss *' Sharp-shooters' Gazette," of June 19, says: — 



•* The Peabody Gun. — Last Sunday the Feldschiitzenverein of 

 the district of Thallvvell held their first meeting this year. Since 

 all the riflemen were to fire with the Peabody gun, Avhich is now 

 in the hands of the sharp-shooters, except two who had the ordi- 

 nary field-rifle, great interest was manifested in the result of the 

 shooting. The success of the gun was surprisingly complete. 

 Fifteen sharp-shooters fired 20 shots each, together 300 shots, at 

 distances respectively of 300 and 400 paces. A shot in the breast 

 of the figure of a man which formed the target, counted 3, in the 

 head or legs 2, and for the target 1. In these 300 shots 560 points 

 were made, being 93 per cent. hits. Had the marksmen been 

 more accustomed to the trigger, which was somewhat stiffer than 

 their own guns, 96 per cent, would have been obtained, — a result 

 which has never yet been attained by the usual field-rifle. 



"All the sharp-shooters, including those who, using the arm for 

 the first time, regarded it with some distrust, were afterwards en- 

 thusiastic in praise of its precision, rapidity of fire, and simple 

 manipulation. One of the marksmen fired 4 shots in 24 seconds, 

 making at 400 paces 2 breast hits, and 1 to the right, and 1 to 

 the left. Consider the terrible efl'ects of one battalion even, 

 armed with this weapon, and skilled in its use ! 



" The guns fired not having any hair-trigger, and a stock a lit- 



