Page 225 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Fore end cap
and barrel band

▲ CHASSEPOT In France, Chassepot FLINTLOCK MUSKETS
PERCUSSION CARBINE produced a breech-loading
Date 1858 carbine that used a rubber
Rear sling washer to seal the breech.
attachment Origin France The later, definitive Chassepot
Weight 6 ⁄4lb (3.03kg) system replaced the hammer
3
1
Barrel 28 ⁄4in (72cm) with a needle striker within
Barrel band a turn-bolt.
retaining springs Caliber 13.5mm

“Monkey tail” AND BREECH-LO
breech lever

▲ WESTLEY RICHARDS Birmingham gunmakers Westley
Lock plate “MONKEY TAIL” CARBINE Richards produced two carbines
Date 1866 for the British Army. This one
had a front-hinged, tilting breech
Origin UK with a long, curved actuating
1
Weight 6 ⁄2lb (3kg) lever, which gave the weapon ADING RIFLES
Rear sight Barrel 18in (45.5cm) its nickname.
Caliber .45in

◀ MARTINI-HENRY MK I
Date 1871
Barrel band anchoring Origin UK
the barrel in stock Weight 10 ⁄4lb (4.7kg)
1
1
Barrel 33 ⁄2in (85cm)
Caliber .45 Martini
The British Army’s first purpose-
designed, breech-loading rifle, the
Martini-Henry incorporated a tilting
Rear sight is graduated breech block. Lowering the under-
up to 1 mile (1.6km)
Bolt handle lever opened the breech and
cocked the action.

◀ SPRINGFIELD In this converted muzzle- ▲ MAUSER M/71 In Germany, Waffenfabrik
TRAPDOOR loader, the top of the barrel Date 1872 Mauser began modifying Dreyse
Date 1874 was milled out, creating a Origin Germany guns to accept brass cartridges.
chamber for the cartridge, Subsequently, Peter Paul Mauser
Origin US
while the front-hinged Weight 10lb (4.5kg) produced this new design, which
Weight 10lb (4.5kg) breech cover incorporated Barrel 32 ⁄2in (83cm) was strong enough to handle much
1
1
Barrel 32 ⁄2in (82.5cm) a firing pin. Caliber 11mm × 60R more powerful ammunition.
Caliber .45in