THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
243 
Immediately following the copper cartridge we may consider the 
Lefaucheux pin cartridge and central fire cartridge of Potet. In both 
of these cartridges escape of gas at the breech is prevented by a brass 
capsule which acts in this respect precisely in the same manner as the 
copper cartridge. Inside this capsule in both cartridges there is a disc of 
papier-mache about J inch thick, which by pressure from within is made to 
secure the body of the cartridge to the base. In the Lefaucheux cartridge 
a pin passes laterally through this disc until near the centre where a cavity 
is made large enough to contain a small copper cap into which the point of 
the pin projects and keeps it in its place, when in the gun the hammer is so 
arranged as to strike the outer end of the pin which then fires the cap, and 
the charge being in immediate contact with it explodes. After firing, the 
pin is useful in withdrawing the cartridge: the body of the cartridge case is 
usually made of paper folded round and round and glued together, the 
thickness being that of stout card. 
Yery few rifles have been invented adapted for the pin cartridge although 
it is in most extensive use in this country as a sporting cartridge for shot guns. 
Its chief objections are liability to explode by an accidental blow on the pin, 
which is much exposed, and loss of time in loading, as compared with a rim 
fire or central fire cartridge, by reason of the necessity for placing it in one 
particular position in the chamber with the pin uppermost. 
Eig. 2 shews a section of a pin cartridge, a the brass capsule, h the papier- 
mache disc, c the pin, d the copper cap, and e the paper case. Any form of 
bullet may be used, and no special form need therefore be described. 
The central fire cartridge, originally invented by Potet, deserves especial 
notice, as a modification of it devised by Colonel Boxer, and known as the 
Boxer cartridge, has been introduced into the service for use with Snider's 
B.L. converted Enfield rifles. 
The construction of the body of the cartridge before the insertion of 
the igniter is the same as in the Lefaucheux cartridge, see Eig. 3. a the brass 
Eig. 2. Eig. 3. 
