BASTIN'S BREECH LOADER. 



263 



objection, it is so much gain to the cause 

 of this breech-loader. I believe that 

 the ordinary bolt is so strong that it 

 makes this breech almost as solid as 

 that of the old-fashioned gun ; and the 

 non-occurrence of any escape of gas, as 

 proved by the absence of any stain on 

 the metal, shows that this view is cor- 

 rect. Whether this is effected by the 

 aid of the cartridge or not is of little 

 consequence, for the fact remains the 

 same that the breech, when put into use, 

 stands the test to which it is exposed. 



Such are the various parts of this 

 very ingeniously-contrived piece of me- 

 chanism, which when put together forms 

 the most useful sporting shot gun hi- 

 therto invented, as far as I know. It 

 is capable of being packed in a gun- 

 case exactly of the same shape as the 

 ordinary kind. In order to take the 

 barrels out of the stock for this purpose, 

 the slide is removed in the usual way, 

 which releases the piece of wood corre- 

 sponding to the front end of the stock, 

 and thereby takes away a part of the 

 hinge. By now turning the lever to 

 the right the socket in the barrels may 

 readily be lifted off the hinge bolt ; and 

 in replacing them the reverse method 

 is to be adopted. Some little knack is 

 required in doing this ; and if the sports- 

 man is not possessed of an average 

 amount of mechanical skill, it is better 

 to take a practical lesson before making 

 the attempt. 



BASTIN'S BREECH-LOADER. 



Anotlier modification of the plan of 

 closing the breech adopted in the Lefau- 



