330 



THE SPORTING RIFLE. 



ordinarily used ; and it is so arranged that as the nipple slides 

 forward with the barrel, the hammer cannot strike it and ex- 

 plode the cap until the barrel and breech are securely screwed 

 together. Hence there is no possibility of an explosion with 

 an open breech, which is so much dreaded by some of the 

 opponents of the breech-loader, and which may happen to 

 some other kinds. When the barrel is driven forward, as 

 shown in fig. 80, the cartridge is pushed into the chamber at 



PRINCE'S RIFLE, OPEN. 



/, when the lever being laid hold of, and the barrel being 

 drawn back, the former is turned downwards till it is in a 

 line with the front of the trigger-guard (as in fig. 79), and it 

 is only necessary to cap the nipple before the rifle may be 

 fired. The process is so expeditious that eight rounds can 

 be fired per minute. Here, then, we have a rifle which can 

 be loaded in eight or nine seconds, and which is quite as 

 secure and free from escape as the muzzle-loader, while its 

 accuracy of shooting is so great that on a favourable day the 

 palm of a man's hand may be hit nine times out of twelve at 

 200 yards. 



