440 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
a hook which seizes the rim of cartridge and draws it out as the lock 
is being withdrawn. 
Action . 
When the gun is in action/ five cartridges are always in process of 
loading, and five are in different stages of extraction. Thus, as the 
system revolves, cartridges drop from feed-drum through slot in hopper, 
successively, on the ten grooves in cartridge-carrier; as each lock comes 
in contact with the cocking-ring, the hammer is drawn back and 
spring compressed; further rotation brings the lock against the gun- 
metal cam, which pushes it forward, driving before it a cartridge from 
the carrier into its particular barrel. The breech is thus closed, and as 
the butt comes opposite the steel plate in cam, the cocking-ring releases 
the spring, and the needle fires the cartridge. The system continues 
to revolve, and the lock now being drawn back within the chamber, 
extracts the empty cartridge-case while retreating, and the latter falls 
to the ground. 
The 0*45-in. gun is sighted with a tangent and fore-sight up to 
2400yds. (8° 23' elevation). 
cwt. qrs. lbs. 
Weight of gun . 3 3 24 
n carriage and limber (empty). 12 2 13 
Ammunition in axletree and limber-boxes, 2400 rounds per gun. 
Weight, about 2 cwt. 
Also to be carried in two ammunition carts for six guns, 21,760 
rounds, or about 3600 rounds per gun. 
The ammunition used is not the Martini-Henry; for though it would 
be advisable to employ it, the difficulties in the way have not yet been 
overcome. 
The bullet of lead and tin weighs 480 grs., and the powder charge is 
85 grs. The cartridge-case is of brass, drawn solid. 
The Mitrailleuse or Nobel. 
This mitrailleuse is identical, in all its principal parts, with the 
Gatling gun.* It seems to have rather lost than gained in efficiency by 
the greater number of the so-called improvements, according to the 
Swedo-Norwegian report.t 
These specially aimed at a reduction of weight, and an increased 
rapidity of fire. 
The reduction of weight was obtained by the construction of a 
lighter carriage, detrimental to the accuracy of fire, and by a diminu- 
* It bas a gun-metal cylinder, corresponding to frame and outside of tbe Gatling. The 
main shaft is hollow, and of steel, and is turned by an organ handle at rear end; It has two 
bearings—viz., the cascable plate in rear, and the front part of external tube. 
f The Russian authorities, however, seem satisfied with their weapon; and we find that when 
the new organisation is complete (as it probably will be this year), they will have mitrailleur 
batteries of eight guns each— i.e.-, one battery to each brigade of field artillery* 
