PROGILD;3 IN THE UNITED STATES —T11 1 &1 the main batteries of United States war vessels were composed of (1) Dahlgren smooth-bores, chiefly of 9-in. caliber ; (2) muzzle loading guns of the Parrott type ; (3) 8-in. muzzle-loading rifles converted on the Palliser system from 11-in, smooth bore, and (4) 60 and 80 pounder breech-loading rifles, resulting from the conversion of Parrott muzzle-loading guns. In the army there was placed in service 210 8-in. rifles, converted from 10.in. smooth-bores, having three times the accuracy and more than double the power of the latter, and should war arise to-morrow they are the only reliable rifles that we have available for coast-defense. These guns of the same general construction, with Krupp mechanism, unehambered, and firing a charg,e of 35 lbs. of powder, were a practical success. The 3-in. wrought-iron muzzle loading rifle was cut off near the bottom of the bore, and screwed in from the rear was a steel breech receiver, through which the bore is prolonged. The breech-block, supported in the breech receiver, was of the Krupp
pattern, made in this country ; the Broad well ring was used.
The result of the appointment of various committees, who investigated gnu-making possibilities at home and abroad, was the conclusion that the solution of the gun question lies in the manufacture of the built-up forged-steel gun, Fig. 2, and that the industry of making forged steel for such guns should be established in this country. The conclusions of the vinous committees and boards have thus far been very useful in helping the navy build guns in the quantities needed for the new vessels, and this beneficial policy will probably soon be extended to the land service. The whole number of sets of forgings pro cured, or under contract, for the navy are 148, ranging from 3 to 12 in, in caliber, to which most be added eight 8-in. and three 10-inch rifles for which the forgings were procured from England.