344 THE SPORTING RIFLE. 



and carrying the tube leading from the nipple down to 

 the corresponding part in the back of the chamber, an ordi 

 nary cap is sufficient. Fig. 88 shows a section of the chamber 



FIG. 88. GILBERT SMITH'S AMERICAN \ \ 



RIFLE. (HALF SIZE.) \ \ 



with the cartridge inserted and the breech closed by the 

 catch b, which is raised by the lever <c moving the rod 

 marked in dotted lines; d is a strong hinge between the 

 stock and barrel, and on pressing the lever c, the catch b 

 is lifted from the square block e when the barrel falls, as 

 represented in dotted lines, leaving, after the discharge, the 

 empty cartridge-case with its base adhering slightly to the 

 posterior half of the chamber. It is asserted by the pro- 

 moters that these cases can be used a dozen times, or more, 

 but never having seen either them or the rifle tried, I can 

 give no opinion upon them. It appears to me that for 

 sporting purposes it possesses no advantage over the Le- 

 faucheaux pattern ; but for military use, the ordinary cap is 

 a sine qud non. 



The cartridge is made of a simple cylinder of indian-rubber, 

 with a base of cardboard ; and as the former material readily 

 bends, it allows the edge of the posterior half to give way 

 on bringing up the barrel after inserting the other moiety 

 in the chamber. 



