THE NEEDLE GUN. 279 



fined, and is easily removed by the fingers. This will be 

 more readily understood after investigating the nature and 

 shape of the lever and chamber. 



The lever is similar in principle to that of the French gun, 

 and exactly resembles in outward form one of its patterns 

 (sec tig. 34), but differs from the common one in passing 

 backwards over the trigger-guard, instead of forwards. The 

 working part is, however, much more complicated, inasmuch 

 as it has three separate duties to perform. A reference to 

 tig. 52 will show its appearance; but its internal construction 

 is too intricate to be understood without an actual exami- 

 nation. The part marked g indicates the external extremity 

 of the lever, and h the centre upon which it works; but 

 above this, though the section is correct, it is hardly likely 

 to teach the uninitiated the shape of the inclined planes which, 

 firstly, move the barrel backwards and forwards; secondly, act 

 ou the cartridge extractor; and thirdly, close the breech by 

 driving the bolt i i under the false breech. The construction 

 of these parts is admirable, and great ingenuity is displayed 

 in their design and execution; but to open and close Mr. 

 Lancaster's gun is not quite so easy as the corresponding 

 action in that of Lefaucheaux. Still, a very little practice 

 makes the sportsman perfect in its use ; and with moderate 

 care it is not at all likely to get out of order. The sepa- 

 ration of the barrels from the stock is managed in the same 

 . but it also demands a little practice; and I have seen 

 more than one person, accustomed to handle guns, quite 

 unable to accomplish the task of putting together one of 

 these guns after having taken them apart. The dotted 

 linos show the position of the barrels when tilted prior to 

 reloading. As the breech rises the extractor is protruded from 

 the rear of the barrels by its frame coining in contact with 

 a fixed projecting stud, when seizing the lip of the cartridges, 

 it carries them partially out of the barrels, the fingers being 

 employed to remove them entirely. 



Tlie cluimber is shown in the above figure at j t and in no 

 wise differs from the ordinary construction. 



The false or stationary breech, together with the needles, 

 come next under consideration, and must be taken together 



