MUZZLE versus BREECH LOADERS. 69 



I beg to state that what I shall express in this chap- 

 ter I shall not say for the purpose of biassing the opin- 

 ion of any one respecting any style of weapon, or the 

 gun of any manufacturer ; rather, I wish simply to 

 bring forward for discussion the question of muzzle 

 versus breech loaders, and if, in this discussion my 

 own preferences should appear, let it be understood 

 that I hold my opinions subject to such modifications 

 as time and experience may suggest. 



Let us, then, candidly enter upon the consideration 

 of the question. 



The advantages and disadvantages of the muzzle- 

 loader are well known. The principal advantages 

 consist of comparative safety in the discharge ; sim- 

 plicity in loading, that is, no elaborate or delicate 

 machinery required for either preparing or inserting 

 the ammunition ; and good execution with the shot. 

 On the other hand, the principal disadvantages of this 

 gun are, the loose form of its ammunition, the liability 

 to danger in loading and the time involved in this 

 operation, together with the great trouble of keeping 

 the gun clean. 



As opposed to these advantages and disadvantages 

 in a gun, the breech-loader presents the following as 

 its points of superiority. 



i st. Safety of Loading. It is claimed that in this 

 respect the breech-loader has a manifest superiority ; 

 as, by inserting the charge at the breech, all liabil- 

 ity to danger from premature explosion is avoided. 

 This is a point of considerable importance, as we 

 frequently hear of accidents arising from persons load- 



