After loading, the block was dropped into its place and the breech screw turned rapidly in order that it might jam the block against its seating, and so prevent the escape of powder gas when the gun was fired. The breech block was secured by means of a robust breech screw; a gap was made via the screw so that, in loading, the shell and cartridge may very well be handed via it after the breech block had been removed. Each chamber was almost stuffed with powder and the mouth closed by a wooden stopper driven in; it was then i**ed into the breech of the gun and secured by a wedge. The horizontal wedge had a slot reduce from its right side to the **tre, in order that it might freely move this rod. After the projectile and cost had been loaded into the gun by way of the breech, a solid iron cylindrical plug, cupped on the front face, was launched into the chamber; a copper ring was positioned in opposition to its rear face; finally a strong iron wedge was handed through the physique of the gun horizontally simply in rear of the plug, and prevented it being blown out of the gun. The chambers, resembling an stra**ankard **rm, had a spigot formed on their entrance end which entered right into a corresponding recess at the rear end of the bore and so formed a rude joint.