168 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 



become deranged, and will last as long as the bar 

 rels. The greatest care is necessary in making the 

 chamber that receives the cartridge of a proper 

 shape, for if this is faulty the cartridges are apt to 

 stick after explosion. 



There is no decided improvement on the original 

 Lefaucheux model, except in the modification of the 

 machinery, and a convenient method of separating 

 the barrels from the stock ; and no other innovation 

 of a like character need be particularly described. 

 The needle-gun, which is made on a somewhat 

 similar principle, is more curious than valuable, 

 being both dangerous and complicated, and pos- 

 sesses no advantages over the other pattern. In it 

 the cartridge has a percussion-cap so disposed at its 

 base that it is penetrated by a needle, which is pro- 

 jected by a spring through a hole in the lower end 

 of the cartridge ; but the composition of the cartridge, 

 and the manner of its insertion, are altogether dif- 

 ferent from the same in the Lefaucheux gun. 



According to the arrangement of some English 

 guns, on a plan invented by Jeffries, the lever, 

 instead of closing forward, lies under the trigger- 

 guard, when the barrels are closed ; and provision 

 is made for tightening the bolt, in case it wears loose 

 by long usage. This invention permits of the use 

 of forward-action locks, and the easy separation of 

 the barrels from the stock, and has come into vogue 

 in England; it is undoubtedly convenient in both 

 these particulars, and has as yet developed no cor- 

 responding drawbacks. 



