MR. NEEDHAM'S NEEDLE GUN. 275 



section as well as in perspective. Fig. 48 shows the strong 

 wad with its metal-plate, which remain behind after the ex- 

 plosion, and are pushed forward in front of the next cartridge 

 as it is introduced. These are perforated by a central hole 

 for the ready passage of the needle, as also is the next for the 

 insertion of the cap, which has four flanges to keep it from, 

 being thrust forward through the powder, by which it might 

 be prevented from exploding. The metal-plate is for the 

 purpose of preventing the cartridge from entering the barrel 

 beyond its proper chamber. This plate is slightly wider than 

 the chamber, and is stretched across its mouth till the 

 cartridge is exploded, when it is flattened out and offers no 

 resistance to the wad being pushed forward before the next 

 cartridge. It also tends to prevent the escape of gas, and to 

 a certain extent fulfils that office. The cap itself has its 

 fulminating surface turned towards the needle, but the 

 explosion, aided by the sharp point, breaks it up, and the 

 powder is easily ignited. Upon this base the case is con- 

 structed of common cartridge-paper, and when the powder 

 and shot are inserted at the open mouth, with only a wad 

 intervening between them, the paper is tied as represented 

 in fig. 49, which however is incorrect in giving a wad in 

 front of the shot. These cartridges are sold at 30s. per 1 000. 

 The advocates of Mr. Needhairis invention (the sale of 

 which in Ireland is committed to Mr. Rigby, who is occu- 

 pied in certain improvements upon it) maintain that it is 

 superior in the following particulars to the French breech- 

 loading gun. They assert that it has all the advantages the 

 latter claims over the muzzle-loader that is to say, it is 

 more rapidly loaded and more safe both in loading and in 

 use; and in addition, it claims over and above these that 

 the cartridges are half the price, that the} r are charged with 

 less trouble that there is no necessity for withdrawing the 

 case after the discharge, the wad left behind being pushed 

 forward by the next cartridge; and lastly, thac while reloading 

 one barrel, the other is ready for use. It is also stated that 

 the gun stands wear and tear better than the French gun, 

 but this I cannot see is likely to be the case, because there is 

 the same wearing of the bolt, whether the lock and plug 

 come away sideways, or the barrel is depressed at the muzzle 



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