3rd.—As to waste of ammunition, is it absolutely necessary that a soldier should remain uneducated? Are not soldiers men? And men can be taught almost anything, or are they incapable of being taught? Does a soldier fire how, when and where he chooses? Is it too high an aspiration that the British army should carry the best arm that can be made, to be placed in the hands of a taught and skilful soldier, acting under the guidance and control of intelligent officers?
Breech-loaders highly improved.
As far as the arm only is concerned, breech-loaders have now (1860) attained a high degree of perfection, as is proved by the deserved celebrity of that made by Mr. Westley Richards. Ammunition the difficulty.The only remaining difficulty is one of ammunition. Loose powder cannot be employed in loading with a breech as it can with a muzzle-loader. We are up to this time under the necessity of introducing the whole of the cartridge, this of course augments fouling and lessens accuracy; there is also increased difficulty in producing ignition through the fold of the cartridge paper.
Capt. Brown’s compressed powder.
Recently a most ingenious mode of compressing the grains of powder contained in a charge into one mass, so that every description of rifle may be rapidly loaded without any paper, has been invented by Captain Brown, R. N., and I have every hope and confidence that the only remaining breech-loading difficulty may now be considered overcome.
Advantages of breech-loaders.
1st. Celerity.
2nd. Load lying down.
3rd. Easily cleaned.
4th. Solid ball.
The advantages of breech-loaders, are, 1st.—Celerity of fire, about ten rounds a minute have been attained. 2nd.—The soldier can load while lying flat on the ground. 3rd.—The barrel can be easily cleaned and examined as to its state. 4th.—A solid ball can be fired, and with less windage.
Self capping.
Various modes of self capping have been brought forward, but that by Maynard seems to merit the preference; time is further economized, and the powers of the breech-loader thereby increased.
Cavalry have breech-loaders.