THE LEFAUCHEAUX GUN. 



257 



nearly so. The best form of lever is that which is given in 

 fig. 34, sketched from one of Messrs. Prince and Green's 

 guns, in which it is shown at b c, as covering the trigger- 

 guard (a) j but the sketch being taken from the opposite side, 



Fig. 34. 



BACK-ACTIONED LEVER. (HALF SIZE.) 



does not give a clear comparative view of the two. In this 

 shape its own weight has a tendency to restore it nearly to 

 its place, where the right hand is ready to carry it quite 

 home, and considerably increased quickness in loading is 

 acquired. As the gun lies thus opened, it will be seen that 

 the interior of the barrels is exposed, and that the false 

 breech, which completes them, is a flat surface, so as to render 

 them when closed more or less perfect cylinders open at one 

 end, and without any contracted chamber like that in the 

 breech of the muzzle-loader at the other. But, on the 

 contrary, the cylinder is enlarged to a considerable extent for 

 about two inches and a half; whilst at the end of this a 

 shoulder, more or less bevelled off, presents itself. This 

 chamber is intended to hold a cartridge made for the purpose, 

 and accurately but loosely fitted to it. Great experience is 

 required in properly adjusting this slightly conical chamber 

 to its contents ; and it is here that inferior makers generally 

 fail. If of a bad shape, the cartridges stick after explosion, 

 and occupy much time in their removal ; but if it is well 

 made, they come out with great ease, and a sticking cartridge 

 very rarely occurs in good guns of this make. 



The following engraving shows a section of the chamber, 

 with a loaded cartridge case in it, by which it will at once 



s 



