PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 465 



sharp knives. The broach, being placed over the cavity of the band, is 

 slowly subjected to the pressure of the two-ten press, and is thus forced 

 completely throug-h the band, cutting' it out as smoothly and easily us if it 

 were composed of lead. The bands are then milled upon the outside by a 

 process called profiling, drilled for the rings, placed upon mandrels to in- 

 sure the exact shape required, filed, polished, case-hardened, and thus 

 finished. 



Tiie hammer passes through a great number of processes before it is 

 completed. It is first forged, then dropped, trimmed, punched, drifted, 

 milled, turned, filed, and lastly case-hardened. 



The cone, although one of the smallest pieces in the musket, is yet one 

 of the most important, and requires a great many separate operations in 

 its manufacture. It is first struck in a die, then clamp-milled, — passing 

 through a machine having clamps which hold short knives that shave the 

 entire outer surface of this very irregular shaped piece; then the thread is 

 cut upon the screw, and both ends are drilled, — this process alone requir- 

 ing fourteen separate operations. It is then squared at the base and case- 

 hardened. 



All the various portions of the lock are made by machines which per- 

 form their multitudinous operations with the most wonderful skill, pre- 

 cision, and grace; but it would be impassible to convey to the reader by a 

 simple description upon paper the various processes by wliich these results 

 are obtained. 



Every portion of the musket is subjected to tests different in character, 

 but equally strict and rigid in respect to the qualities which they are 

 intended to prove. The bayonet is very carefully gauged and measured in 

 every part, in order that it may prove of precisely the proper form and 

 dimensions. A weight is hung to the point of it to try its temper, and it 

 is sprung by the strength of the inspector, with the point set into a block 

 of lead fastened to the floor, to prove its elasticity. If it is tempered too 

 high, it breaks; and if too low, it bends. In either case it is condemned, 

 and the workman through whose fault the failure has resulted, is charged 

 with the loss. 



The most interesting process, perhaps, in the manufacture of the musket 

 is the operation of stocking. This is done in the old arsenal building, 

 which, with the exception of one floor, is wholly devoted to this purpose. 



The wood from which the stocks are made is the black walnut. This 

 was formerly obtained in Pennsylvania, and was kept on hand in the store- 

 house in large quantities for* the purpose of having it properly seasoned. 

 During the last two years, however, Ohio and Canada have furnished the 

 greater part. 



The wood is sawn into a rough semblance of the musket-stock before it 

 is sent to the armory. It then passes through seventeen different machines, 

 emerging from the last perfectly formed and finished. 



A gun-stock is, perhaps, as irregular a shape as the ingenuity of man 

 could devise, and as well calculated to bid defiance to ever}' attempt at 

 applying machinery to the work of fashioning it. Tlie difficulties, how- 

 ever, insurmountable as they would seem, have all been overcome, and 



[Am. Inst.] E 



