content_output-019_8 (Q5564)

History of the breech-loading system—The pin-fire gun and the Lefaucheux breech-mechanism—The double-grip—The sliding-barrel mechanism—Dougall's lock-fast gun—The turn-over mechanism—Jeffries' side-motion mechanism—Greener's self half-cocking gun—Needham's snap action—Side-lever mechanisms—The central-fire system—Needham's needle guns—Lancaster's system of ignition—Daw's gun and cartridge—Advantages of the central-fire principle—Top-lever breech-actions—Locks and minor mechanisms—Greener's "patent striker"—Westley-Richards's breech action—The "doll's head" gun—Treble-grip mechanisms—The Greener cross-bolt—Greener's treble-wedge-fast gun—Strength of breech-mechanisms—The breaking strain of powders in gun actions—The duplex or improved wedge-fast grip...