HC Deb 06 August 1861 vol 164 c1894
COLONEL DUNNE

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether any and what steps have been taken as to a decision on the merits of new weapons of war; and whether any breech-loading rifle has been adopted for any branch of our service?

SIR GEOEGE LEWIS

said, he could reply to the first question of the hon. and gallant Member in the affirmative; and, in answer to the second, that breech-loading carbines had been served out to a portion of the cavalry; but they had not been found to be very successful, and that the making of some improvements in them was a subject under consideration.