A NEW GUN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 171, 11 July 1876, Page 4

A NEW GUN.

We recently stated that the Admiralty had decided upon issuing the Gatling, gun to the uriarmoured vessels of the Inconstant class, but it would seem that; no sooner is & weapon finally adopted than another one ia produced, throwing it completely in the shade. A Swedish gentleman, an engineer, recently submitted a gun for the consideration of their lordships, who requested . Captain Brandreth, of the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, to experiment with it and report upon its/merits. This was done, and the most extraordinary results were obtained, fully justifying the inventot's claim that it was the most destructive weapon of its kind yet invented. The barrels, which are eight in number, are placed laterally, being enclosed in one large barrel, as in the Gattling. Ai» iron musket- proof shield protects the person using the gun, and, seated behind on a low stool, he can aim at the object, and by simply moving a small crank, with handle attached, backwards and forwards, without any effort sends forth a deadly storm of bullets. The gun feeds itnelf, and the gunner need not move from his position. In the Gatling invention the gun is discharged by heaving round a handle, and the gunner cannot be so sure that he is bitting the mark aimed at, from the liability of the gun slightly shifting its position. . The whole staff of the Excellent were present, also the Duke of Edinburgh and several other officers of rank. His Royal Highness expressed the highest admiration of the new invention, and, sitting down, he fired several discharges at a target 500 yards off, ' which waa riddled through and through by ihe bullets ; after which, the inventor himself sat down, and in the apace of not quite two miuates discharged 800 rounds at the target. It was evident to all the spectators, that if the gun was used against an advancing column of troops in close order, the most disastrous eff,cts would be produced upon. them. This last trial brought the experiment to a close, and its adoption will now be considered by the authorities.