482 APPENDIX. D. 



loading weapons. Even the Government of the United States have 

 at last awakened to its importance, and are now anxious to secure 

 the advantages of these improved arms. The following just tribute 

 and careful description of this favorite rifle is copied from The 

 New York Tribune, August 1th, 1863: 



"Among the improvements developed during the last two years 

 in the shape of arms, projectiles, and other weapons of warfare, 

 Ballard's breech-loading rifle and carbine seems to have commended 

 itself to the especial attention of military men, and whenever they 

 have been used by cavalry or sharpshooters, death has invariably 

 marked the unerring course of their bullets. This weapon weighs 

 only seven pounds, and is excellently proportioned, balancing nicely 

 in the hand and coming well to the shoulder. It has five grooves, 

 and is made in three calibers — 38-100ths of an inch, 44-100ths, and 

 52-100ths — the former being most approved for sporting purposes, 

 and the latter according to government regulation. It is made with 

 three lengths of barrel — 24, 26 and 28 inches — the shortest being 

 finished as a carbine for mounted officers and cavalry. S. T. Benet, 

 Captain of Ordnance at West Point, in his report to Brig.-Gen. J. "W. 

 Ripley, Chief of Ordnance at "Washington — Gen. Ripley having 

 ordered a trial of the arm in the early part of the war — after de- 

 scribing its parts, action, &c, says in conclusion, ' altogether it is the 

 very best loading carbine that has been presented to me for trial.' 

 The action of the arm is simplicity itself, and therein lies its chief 

 merit. A graceful and well-proportioned scroll guard covers the 

 trigger, as is usual in rifles ; this folds forward toward the muzzle 

 upon a pivot, and in doing so draws down the lock, hammer, &c, 

 uncovering the breech end of the barrel so that the whole length of 

 the tube can be easily seen. A metallic cartridge containing cap, 

 powder and ball is then slipped in, when the guard is drawn back, 

 bringing up the lock to its normal position with the hammer at half 

 cock. The gun is then ready to be fired. After the discharge the 

 guard is again thrown forward, the old cartridge shell thrown out 

 by a simple contrivance, and a new cartridge inserted by hand. 

 This rifle may thus be fired by an expert hand ten or twelve times 

 in a minute without even removing it from his shoulder." 



Messrs. Mbbwin & Brat are the sole Agents for Ballard's Rifles 

 sud Carbines, No. 262 Broadway, New York 



