The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical MemoirWorcester, Edward Somerset, Marquis of
History
The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir
Worcester, Edward Somerset, Marquis of
Industrial arts -- Early works to 1800; Inventions -- Early works to 1800
An attentive examination of this and the subsequent articles
has suggested what appears an improvement of considerable
importance in the principle of modern fire-arms. The expense
attendant on the manufacture of double barrelled guns, and the
inconvenience which arises from their additional weight, have
hitherto prevented their coming into general use, though their
utility in the field is very generally allowed. An economical
gun uniting all the advantages of the one, with the lightness
and portability of the other, must therefore be considered
as a desideratum of the first importance. To effect this, a
common gun barrel must be pierced with the required number
of touchholes, at a sufficient distance to allow of an equal
number of charges. A detonating magazine gunlock may then be
made to slide on the lower part of the barrel, with a parallel
ratchet and click to fix precisely opposite the touchhole to be
inflamed. The gun must then be loaded by a graduated ramrod,
the powder of each charge being brought opposite its proper
touchhole. After the first discharge, the cock must be moved
back one tooth of the ratchet, and this motion continued till
the whole are exploded, each hole being covered successively by
a plate attached to the lock.
No. 60 is evidently performed by filling a cylindrical flask,
made the same size as the barrel, with the required number of
charges and afterwards forcing the whole of them into the barrel.
Nos. 61 and 67 may be performed by filling a flask previously
made to fit the breech of the musket, and forcing forward each
successive charge by a screw or lever, in the same manner as the
charging is effected in a magazine air-gun.
No. LIX.
Another way, as fast and effectual, but more proper for carabines.
_Vide_ Article LVIII.
No. LX.
A way, with a flask appropriated unto it, which will furnish either
pistol or carabine with a dozen charges in three minutes' time, to
do the whole execution of a dozen shots, as soon as one pleaseth,
proportionably.
_Vide_ Article LVIII.
No. LXI.
A third way, and particularly for muskets, without taking them from
their rests to charge or prime, to a like execution, and as fast as
the flask, the musket containing but one charge at a time.
_Vide_ Article LVIII.
No. LXII.
A way for a harquebuss, a crock, or ship musket, six upon a
carriage, shooting with such expedition, as, without danger, one
may charge, level, and discharge them sixty times in a minute of an
hour, two or three together.
_Vide_ Article LVIII.
No. LXIII.
A sixth way, most excellent for _sakers_, differing from the other,
yet as swift.
_Vide_ Article LVIII.
No. LXIV.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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