No. 144.] ^f9 



COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND RUSSIAN 

 RIFLE. 



The English rifle, now being manufactured for the troops, is very 

 •superior to the Russian, it is considerably longer, very much 

 lighter, easier to €lean and to handle, and of superior workman- 

 ship. The way in which the barrel and stock are connected is 

 novel and ingenious. 



The barrel is encircled and bound fast to the stock by three 

 iron rings, or clips of great strength, which are kept in their 

 place by as many spring catches, by pressing which the barrel 

 can be unshipped immediately. The ramrod, a neatly-turneii 

 piece of steel, with cup and screw, is incomparably superior to 

 that of the Russian rifle. The bayonet is exceedingly slight, of 

 finely tempered steel, and the mode of securing it in its place ad- 

 mirable. The sight is hinged, and lies horizontally on the bar- 

 rel; it is thrown up to a vertical position by a spring, and then 

 represents a slit between two pillars, up and down which slides a 

 •small piece of metal forming the sight; the length is four feet six 

 and a half inches, with bayonet six feet one inch ; weight of rifle 

 Alone eight pounds six ounces, weight of bayonet one pound tea 

 ounces — weight of rifle and bayonet, nine pounds. 



The Russian rifle in lengsth is three feet ten inches, with bayo- 

 net fixed, five feet eight inches; weight of rifle alone ten pounds, 

 weight of bayonet one pound fourteen ounces — weight of rifle and 

 bayonet, eleven pounds fourteen ounces. 



The barrel of the British rifle is eight and a half inches longer 

 than the Russian, and has three rifled grooves, whereas the Rus- 

 sian has only two. The British rifle, with bayonet fixed, is five 

 inches longer than the Russian piece with its sword bayonet. 



Mr. Maynard moved that the question be continued at next 

 meeting on the first Monday of April. Carried. 



Mr. Maynard gave notice that at the next meeting he will 

 move to fix the regular meetings of this club on one day only 

 per month, arid that the third Monday in the evening. 



