FIRE-ARMS 391 



front sight is that known as the bead-sight, which consists of a small steel needle, 

 with a little head upon it, like the head of an ordinary pin, enclosed in a steel 

 tube. In aiming with this sight, the eye is directed through a minute hole in the 

 sliding piece of the hinder sight, to the small bead in the tube, which bead should 

 cover the mark aimed at ; and this sight affords great accuracy in shooting. The 

 wiping rod, which occupies the position usuaUy allotted to the ramrod, in muzzle- 

 loaders, is ingeniously constructed so as to admit of being lengthened. In its interior, 

 which is hollow, slides a slight steel rod, in the end of which a screw-thread is cut ; 

 on drawing out the rod, a turn or so of the hand in one direction enables this steel 

 rod to be drawn out to a length as nearly as possible that of the outer case, and a 

 few turns in the contrary direction fasten it firmly in its place ; thus enabling it to 

 be used with as much facility as if it were solid. When done with, the reversal of 

 the former motions enables the rod to be restored to its original dimensions, and it 

 can then be returned to its place. This weapon has a real business-like serviceable 

 appearance, and its weight varies, according to the length of the barrel, from 8 Ib. to 

 10 Ib. each, with five and six shots. 



Colonel Colt has introduced a new shot gun, which is adapted for being loaded alter- 

 nately with shot and ball. This is adapted for colonists, enabling them to use the gun 

 as an ordinary sporting weapon for birds, &c., or for more deadly purposes. The ball 

 for Colt's rifle is shown \>jfigs. 911, 912. 



Lancaster's Elliptic Rifle. So called, although the Elliptical rifle is very old. 

 The bore in this rifle is slightly oblate ; the twist found, by experience, to be most 

 advantageous is one turn in 52 inches, the approved diameter of the bore '498 inches, 

 the length of the barrel being 32 inches. An eccentricity of '01 inch in half an inch 

 is found sufficient to make the bullet spin on its axis to the extreme verge of its flight. 

 The length of the bullet found to answer best with these rifles is 2 diameters in 

 length, with a windage of four or five thousandths of an inch. 



Major NuthalVs Rifle. In the ordinary mode of grooving rifles, sharp angles are 

 left between the grooves and ' land ' (those parts of the smooth bore left in their origi- 

 nal state after the process of grooving has been completed). These create great 

 friction with the projectile, both in loading and discharging. Major Nuthall removes 

 these objections by rounding off the ' lands ' into the grooves ; that is, making them 

 a series of convex and concave curves, the bore assuming a beautiful appearance to 

 the eye, from the smoothness and evenness with which the lands and grooves blend 

 into each other. -'* 



There are also General Boileau's rifle, and some others, which our space will not 

 admit of our noticing. 



Breech-loading Rifles have been introduced, and they prove so satisfactory that 

 the principle of breech-loading is applied to ordinary fowling-pieces. Prince's breech- 

 loader has been highly recommended. In this rifle, Jig. 913, the barrel has attached 



913 



to it a lever with a knob at its end, kept in its place and locked by a little 

 bolt attached to the bow of the guard. In order to load, the stock being firmly 

 grasped under the right arm, the catch is released, and the knob attached to the lever 

 is drawn to the right, and almost simultaneously pushed forward. The lever being 

 firmly connected with the breech-end of the barrel, the whole of the barrel is thus 

 slipped forward in the stock, to the extent of about 3 inches, disclosing a steel 

 cone, provided on either side with inclined planes, forming a segment of a screw, and 

 locking tightly into slots at the breech-end of the barrel. The cartridge is dropped 

 into the open space at the extremity of the cone, the lever is depressed, pulled back- 

 ward, and then pushed into its place. The barrel and cone are thus tightly locked 

 together, and until they are in this position the gun cannot possibly be fired. It is, 

 therefore, obvious, that in strength and security this rifle is not inferior to any. At a 



