The barrel is of steel; the calibre is 0·451 in. It is rifled on Mr. Henry’s patent system. The section of the bore may be generally described as a heptagon with re-entering angles at the junctions of the planes, so that there are fourteen points of contact for the bullet, viz., one in the middle of each plane, and one at each of the re-entering angles. The twist of rifling is one turn in 22 in. The charge consists of 85 grains of powder, and a bullet weighing 480 grains, of a form designed by Mr. Henry. The cartridge is of the same general construction as the “Boxer” cartridge, used in the Snider rifle, but it is bottle-shaped, the diameter being enlarged from a short distance in rear of the bullet, in order to admit of its being made shorter, and consequently stronger, than would be otherwise possible. A wad of bees’-wax is placed between the bullet and powder, by which the barrel is lubricated at each discharge. The sword-bayonet to be used with this rifle is of a pattern proposed by Lord Elcho. It is a short sword, broad towards the point, and furnished on a portion of the back with a double row of teeth, so as to form a stout saw. It is so balanced as to form a powerful chopping implement, so that, in addition to its primary use as a bayonet, it will be useful for cutting and sawing brushwood, small trees, &c. The following are the principal particulars of weight, dimensions, &c., of the Martini-Henry rifle: │Without bayonet 4 ft. 1 in. Length of rifle │With bayonet fixed 5 ft. 8 in. │Of barrel 2 ft. 9·22 in. Calibre │ 0·451 in. Rifling │Grooves 7 │Twist 1 turn in 22 in. Weight │Without bayonet 8 lbs. 7 oz. │With bayonet 10 lbs. 4 oz. Bayonet │Length 2 ft. 1½ in. │Weight without scabbard 1 lb. 8 oz. Charge of powder │ 85 grains. Weight of bullet │ 480 grains. The rifle is sighted to 1,400 yards.