172 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 



cartridge does explode accidentally, it may scorch 

 the clothes or even burn the person slightly, but 

 can inflict no serious injury. These remarks, how- 

 ever, do not apply to the brass cartridge-cases, 

 AN'hich must be handled more carefully. The com- 

 mon paper-cases may therefore be carried with per- 

 fect impunity, and transported, if carefully packed, 

 without risk. 



A more curious idea — for the dread of danger 

 from the loaded cartridge is natural — prevailed at 

 one time, that the barrels were weakened because 

 they were open behind, instead of being closed by 

 the breech-screw ; as if a cylinder would be rendered 

 moi'e cohesive by screwing another piecs of metal 

 into one end. In fact, if the breech-screw has any 

 effect whatever upon the strength of the gun, its 

 presence is probably an injury. The charge, it will 

 be observed, presses against the shot on one side 

 and the false breech on the other, and would not be 

 retained any more securely by the addition of a 

 breech-screw, which tends to separate instead of 

 closing the barrel. So, also, it must be borne in 

 mind there is no strain worth mentioning on the 

 hinge-bolt, and no danger of the barrels blowing 

 away with the charge ; while the disposal of the 

 metal at the false breech, and the omission of the 

 ramrod, tends to make the gun light at the muzzle — 

 a great advantage in snap-shooting. 



There is absolutely no escape of gas at the break- 

 off; none can escape unless the brass capsule, which 

 closes the joint hermetically, can be driven out, and 



