578 [AssEMBLy 



the lever is drawn back, and the ball cartridge is fjrced by a 

 presjiire of some fifty pounds into its seat in thebariel ; the cart- 

 ridge has a conical ball cemented into it. 



I cannot close these remarks without mentioning Porter's patent 

 rifle, which is one of the most recent and important improve- 

 ments in fiie-arms. It is a self-loading rifle, which in its con- 

 .struction is as sure as it is commendable. 



The barrel and stock are not very different from the ordinary 

 rifle, the invention being chiefly confined to the lock. That which 

 composes the lock of the rifle is fastened forward with a hinge, to 

 the band of the gun, and a spring fastens the other end of the lock 

 to the stock. Tliis being turned, the lock swings forward like a 

 gate, and to it are attached all the principal appliances of the in- 

 yention. Under the hammer on the lock, is a spring cap box, 

 which constantly throws a cap over the touch-hole of the cylin- 

 der, when the hammer is raised; the gun being fired, the guard 

 is again pressed forward, a simple metallic spring pushes away the 

 exploded cap, and when the guard is again brought back, a new 

 charge is under the cap ready for use. 



There is an aperture at the side of the barrel about three 

 inches in length, and three quarters of an inch in width, into 

 which nine charges of powder and ball are placed. When they 

 are fixed, the lock is unlatched, a new charged cylinder takes the 

 place of the one used, and the firing is renewed. This gun has 

 many merits over any other known. It is waterproof; all the 

 touch-holes, nine in number, are perfectly air-tight while re- 

 volving against the lock. It will shoot forty times in a minute, 

 is well guarded against accident, there being no cap over the 

 touch-hole until the hammer is raised. Having brought several 

 varieties of rifles and guns before you to night, I will at our next 

 meeting endeavor to show that the minie expanding bullet is ca- 

 pable of affording greater range and greater accuracy than any 

 other. 



