PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 549 



The first breech-loaders were furnished to regiments or flank 

 companies, by the direct order of the President ; when some 

 inventor or manufacturer, who had produced a thousand or less 

 number at his own risk, and without an order, managed to have 

 the co-operation of a colonel, and the approval of a general, to 

 back up his application to Mr. Lincoln for their purchase and 

 direct assignment to the troops for trial and report. 



In this manner a few regiments became supplied with breech- 

 loaders; but such indirect means could not result in giving to 

 the troops the best arms; for the best icire manipulator was suc- 

 cessful — not the best inventor or manufacturer of arms. 



Arms thus adopted, could not have the good qualities of guns 

 as our citizen soldiers deserved to have placed in their hands. 

 Many difficulties were arrayed against the inventor who should 

 endeavor to invent and produce an unexceptionable musket. First 

 and most potent was the want of practical experience in the test of 

 service in the field and in battles. The inventor of the best £fun 

 should be at the same time an old soldier and a bright mechanic. 



The inventor and producer of the best gun should at the same 

 time be skillful as a mechanic and have capital. 



To have the arms so invented and produced into service, the 

 qualities of a politician are necessary ; and to all this must be 

 added the right to use the inventions of others ; for without inter- 

 ference with the great mass of inventions found in the Patent 

 Office, it would be impossible to make the best gun or the least 

 efficient gun that ought to be placed in the hands of our troops. 

 While it is probably true that no single application in our Patent 

 Office exhibits proportions and devices that would entitle the gun 

 represented to be adopted officially. 



Inventors have, as a rule, an aversion to adopt or advocate the 

 inventions of others, and I think our patent laws are deficient in 

 this point, viz : That no protection is given to the inventor and 

 manufacturer who produces, from what is known, a new combination, 

 having the required qualities and proportions for an efficient arm. 



I have here a Russian needle gun that, in my opinion, exhibits 

 the elements of rare qualities for an efficient breech-loading rifled 

 musket for infantry. 



It was imported from Europe by Messrs. Tiffany & Co., and is 

 said to have been picked up on a battle field by an Austrian sol- 

 dier ; whether this story is true or not, I consider of but little 

 interest to this Club. 



