GUNS, LOADING AT THE BREECH,

OR

BREECH-LOADERS.

[SINCE the publication of the last edition, breech-loaders have come very considerably into fashion, and are still on their trial; for although their superiority over the muzzle-loader is asserted by some, it is denied by others equally competent to form an opinion; it is, therefore, not intended to advise sportsmen either to discard the old system or to adopt the new one too hastily. It is desirable, however, to point out what are the advantages and disadvantages of the new system.

It may be as well to state, that in addition to the principle of breech-loading, the various methods of applying it, merit particular attention, as they are very dissimilar; some being simple, easy in use, and effective in practice, others more complicated and therefore more liable to derangement. Lang, Lancaster, and Needham construct these breech-loaders: the first of the three, combines in its plan, simplicity with efficiency; the second evinces considerable ingenuity in contrivance, and although it seems to work well, in much use it may be subject to get out of order; the third is the most complicated of the three, and has an ugly appearance. It has been stated by those who have tried it, that Needham's gun works

well, though in external appearance it is inferior to either of the other two.

Some particulars as to each of the above named breechloading fowling-pieces will be interesting. Beginning with Lang's, which, be it here observed, is an adaptation of the principle introduced many years since in France; its appearance and simplicity are equally in its favour; no contrivance can be more easily worked or better answer its purpose, and efficiency is combined with security. Three or, perhaps, four shots can be fired in the same space of time in which only one discharge could be effected with the muzzle-loader, and the liability to accident consequent on ramming down the muzzle-loader is completely obviated; in fact, you obtain rapidity in loading and firing, without risk. There can be no difference of opinion as to the importance of getting rid of a cause by which many persons yearly suffer serious injury to the hand, although the advantages arising from firing an additional number of shots may be questioned, as the present system is quite fast enough relatively to the amount of game on many moors and other shooting grounds. On Lang's method, the whole gun is not so heavy as an ordinary muzzle loader; for although the barrels may be somewhat more solid, there is neither ramrod nor heel-plate; the barrels are united to and partially liberated from the stock, by an easy movement of a lever working on a pivot immediately underneath the stock, which, when in a state of repose, from its neat adaptation to the stock, appears as if it were a fixture, and produces no inconvenience or unpleasantness in the handling. A slight effort moves and at the same time securely replaces it. When the lever is moved, for the

purpose of loading, the barrels decline by their own weight, and conveniently expose the breech end for the easy insertion of the cartridges. To perform this operation and replace the barrels, is the affair of two or three seconds; and, as the striker or cock would not reach the pin which explodes the cap unless the barrels were properly, i. e. securely placed, no risk is incurred by haste or carelessness.

The cartridge used for this contrivance, includes not only the powder and shot, but also the cap and the small pin which explodes it on being struck by the hammer; the cap is at the end of the cartridge, and the pin which is secured in it, fits into a small opening at the end of the barrel, projecting about the eighth of an inch above its surface, in such a position as to receive the full force of the striker, when it descends, on the trigger being pulled.

The skeleton cartridges, containing merely the cap and pin, can be purchased of Lang, or in any of the principal towns in England, Ireland, or Scotland, so that the sportsman may fill them up himself with the amount and quality of powder and shot which best pleases him; and the operation is so promptly and easily performed, that a boy who is accustomed to the work, may, in a quarter of an hour, fill sufficient for a day's shooting. Lancaster has invented a small implement, by the use of which this operation of filling the cartridges efficiently and expeditiously is considerably promoted. These cartridges cost 6s. the hundred, so that the additional expense is but trifling, and is more than compensated for by the advantages already enumerated. To those who shoot alone, and unattended by any game carrier, the weight of the cartridges

may perhaps be an objection; and it must not also be lost sight of, that all breech-loaders cannot be used in the ordinary way (there are a few only which admit of loading also at the muzzle), so that without the cartridges made specially for the gun, it is useless; but of course no sportsman residing in an out-of-the-way district, would be unprovided with the usual muzzle-loader, in case, either by neglect or accident, he should at any time find himself without a supply of suitable cartridges. That those who use a particular breech-loader must be entirely dependent on their gunmaker for their supply of ammunition is too obvious to be overlooked, and is a fact worthy of consideration, as cartridges must be made to fit exactly; but in these days of easy and rapid communication, this objection vanishes as far as the United Kingdom is concerned; and certainly, on all occasions, when game is abundant, and rapidity of firing is advantageous, the ease and facility of loading must be considered as decided improvements over the old system, obviating at the same time all risk consequent on the hurry of rapid and anxious movements.

It must be admitted, that in damp weather the insertion of the cartridge at the breech has an advantage over the muzzle-loader, inasmuch as the powder escapes the deterioration and waste consequent on its passage down the barrel, when dropped in at the muzzle from a powderhorn; a disadvantage, nevertheless, which has long been obviated for muzzle-loading shot guns, by Eley's cartridges; and further, on entering a house, or on return home, the cartridges may be instantaneously removed, and the gun laid aside, without any liability to those serious accidents which have too frequently arisen with the muzzle-loader. In reference to accidents, Lang's method

appears to have a further superiority over Lancaster's and Needham's, which consists in the pin of the cartridge being visible when the gun is loaded, whereas, in the other two, there is no external indication by which you can tell whether they are loaded or not, except on close inspection, as the cap in the cartridge is struck by a needle which is concealed in the stock, and moves horizontally from the lock to the cartridge; and, till well acquainted with Needham's contrivance, a stranger could not tell whether the locks were on full or half-cock, as they are always in fact on full cock, although, by a slight movement of a lateral external bolt, a stop is imposed, and the locks are immovable. Lang's adopted method would probably answer well with punt guns, and in addition to the facility of loading, would afford other advantages to the gunner.

When a shot is fired from a punt gun into a flight of wild fowl, a large proportion of the flight is frequently disposed to drop again at a short distance, if no object is visible to alarm them, consequently, the gunner with a breech-loader, from the facility and expedition with which he could load without being under the necessity of exposing himself, would frequently have a second chance, which, in some instances, might be better than the first one; and, in addition to these combined advantages of increased facility, and greater expedition without exposure, the liability of slipping off the deck on a frosty night is obviated; it is also not unimportant, that the cartridge can be removed when the sport is over, and the barrel be perfectly cleaned without either difficulty or trouble. It will also be an advantage, which all gunners