338 



THE SPOUTING RIFLE. 



which is constructed on the principle of the revolver, but 

 without more than one chamber. A single chamber (fig. 85 &), 

 capable of holding a cartridge complete, is forged in a block 



LEETCH'S RIFLE, OPENED FOR LOADING. 

 (TWO-THIRDS SIZE.) 



of metal a, and furnished with a nipple. This chamber is 

 hinged so that it readily falls sideways to the right (see fig. 85), 

 on being pulled in that direction by the hinged lever, c, ex- 

 posing the open end of the barrel, and the space d between 

 this and the false breech, in which it lies j while its own open 

 mouth, 5, admits of the insertion of the Government 

 cartridge in the usual way, after which it is turned back, the 

 nipple is capped, and the whole is ready for use. A bolt in 

 connexion with the hammer drops into this chamber, and 

 securely fixes it, preventing the explosion of the cap unless 

 the chamber is secured. This plan is very simple, and I have 



