Title: Report of a board of officers on improvements in fire-arms by Hall, Colt, Cochran, Hackett, Fisher, and Leavitt, as compared with the United States musket and rifle. Author: U.S. Congress Published: 1837, 17 pgs. Language: English

Communicated to the Senate September 19, 1837

Report of a board of officers on improvements in fire-arms by Hall, Colt, Cochran, Hackett, Fisher, and Leavitt, as compared with the United States musket and rifle, and their relative qualities and efficiency, and the cost of manufacturing each arm. Communicated to the Senate, September 19, 1837.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 2.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, February 3, 1837.

I. Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to cause an examination to be made by a board of officers into the improvements in fire-arms made by Hall, Cochran, Colt, and the Baron Hackett; and that the general results be presented to the Senate in tabular statements, showing the advantages of each in all military points of view, and especially as to - -

1. The celerity of fire.
2. The extent of the recoil.
3. The efficiency of the fire.
4. The inconvenience of heated barrel in rapid firing.
5. The capacity of being used as a rifle.
6. The simplicity and cheapness of construction.
7. Durability.
8. Saving of ammunition and appendages.
9. The number of charges which may be carried by an infantry soldier.
10. The advantages when used againsta a charge of cavalry.
11. The advantages when used by cavalry.