40 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 
cartridge does explode accidentally, it may scorch 
the clothes or even burn the person slightly, but 
can inflict no serious injury. These remarks, how- 
ever, do not apply to the brass cartridge-cases, 
which must be handled more carefully. The com- 
mon paper-cases may therefore be carried with per- 
fect impunity, and transported, if carefully packed, 
without risk. 
A more curious idea—for the dread of danger 
from the loaded cartridge is natural—prevailed at 
one time, that the barrels were weakened because 
they were open behind, instead of being closed by 
the breech-screw ; as if a cylinder would be rendered 
more cohesive by screwing another piece of metal 
into one end. In fact, if the breech-screw has any 
effect whatever upon the strength of the gun, its 
presence is probably an injury. The charge, it will 
be observed, presses against the shot on one side 
and the false breech on the other, and would not be 
retained any more securely by the addition of a 
breech-secrew, which tends to separate instead of 
closing the barrel. So, also, it must be borne in 
mind there is no strain worth mentioning on the 
hinge-bolt, and no danger of the barrels blowing 
away with the charge; while the disposal of the 
metal at the false breech, and the omission of the 
ramrod, tends to make the gun light at the muzzle— 
a great advantage in snap-shooting. 
There is absolutely no escape of gas at the break- 
off; none can escape unless the brass capsule, which 
closes the joint hermetically, can be driven out, and 
