256 



VARIETIES OF SHOT-GUNS, ETC. 



trial of 1859. Here the lever (fig. 33 a) is turned to the 

 right, by which a hook is withdrawn from the notch in the 



THE LEFAUCHEAUX GtJN. (ONE THIRD SIZE.) 



under surface of the barrels at (d). The stock where it is 

 pierced by this lever and hook is entirely of iron ; and in its 

 fore end is a strong hinge (c), composed of a circular bolt 

 attached to the stock, and of a corresponding socket fixed to 

 the barrels, which may be opened by removing the part (6), 

 on withdrawing the slide, when it comes away and appears 

 as separately shown. The lever or crutch and the hook are 

 so contrived, that when the gun is closed again with a snap, 

 the former is replaced, and lies under the barrels requiring 

 sometimes, but not generally, a slight force to be applied to 

 it to jam it quite home, and so render the breech secure. 

 There are various modes of carrying out this object; but one 

 of the most simple is a square stud beneath the breech end of 

 the barrels, which is raised by the lever, and just frees them 

 from the false breech, after which their own weight carries 

 them down. On returning them to their places, the pressure 

 on this stud again acts on the lever, and sends it home or very 



