314 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OF 
by the Armstrong breech-loader and the Whitworth muzzle-loader, the 
differences due to causes independent of the peculiarities involved in the 
manner of loading. 
The Armstrong 12-prs. were of 3 inches calibre and threw projectiles of 
the following weights: solid shotlT56 lbs., segment shell 11*5 lbs., common 
shell llT91bs. The breech-loaders were poly grooved in the usual mode, 
and the muzzle-loaders were on the (e shunt ” principle. Both had a twist of 
1 turn in 35 calibres. The muzzle-loader was shorter in the bore, 67*74 
instead of 73*5 inches, but had more metal than the breech-loader. Its 
weight was 8*93 cwt. instead of 8*5 cwt: its charge also was 4 oz. more, 
If instead of 1J lb. of powder. The bursting charge of the common shell 
was l\ oz. less, being only 9| oz .; that of the breech-loading common shell 
being 11 oz/* 
The practical tests to which the guns and ammunition were submitted 
may be classified as follows, and will be noticed in the order by which they 
are arranged. 
A. . 8hooting qualities; as to (1) range; (2) initial velocity and re¬ 
tardation ; (3) accuracy. 
B. Practical effect in the field against (4) earthen field works; (5) walls j 
(6) stockades; (7) field artillery; (8) targets representing bodies of troops* 
C. Service of the guns ; (9) ease of working; (10) rates of firing; (11) 
extent of recoil; (12) boat service. 
D. Hard usage and rough work ; (13) endurance ; (14) strength; (15) 
power of withstanding effect of a shell bursting inside the bore, and (16) of 
a shot striking the outside; (17) capability of being brought into use after 
being upset. 
E. Durability of the ammunition , (18) under travelling; and (19) under 
exposure to wet. 
The details of all these trials are contained in the Appendix to the Blue 
Book, and the results are summed up in the Committee’s report. The 
extracts in this paper will be given as briefly as possible, and be confined to 
a comparison between the Armstrong field guns; the references that may 
be made to results with the Whitworth gun being introduced only when 
they seem to throw additional light on the qualities of muzzle-loading, as 
opposed to breech-loading pieces, or have a separate interest sufficient to 
justify a departure from the usual course. 
(1) Range, 
The ranges were tested with shot and with segment shell fired at various 
elevations from 0° up to 33 d , with the results shown in the following 
table:— 
* Report, p; 15. NJB.—In the Blue Book the pages of the report are in Roman numerals, and 
the rest are in the usual figures. 
