Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/147

Rh of all our labour-saving machines to the English generally, were our lathes for turning crooked things, like lasts, axe-handles, and oxbows; and which produced gun stocks to such perfection, and so cheaply and speedily. The interchangeable principle was also appreciated at its true value, by which any part of one lock or gun would exactly fit any other. The report of this commission expresses their wonder and admiration at our process of effecting this in the following words:

""They selected, with Colonel Ripley's permission, ten muskets, each made in a different year, viz., from 1844 to 1853 inclusive, from the principal arsenal at Springfield, which they caused to be taken to pieces in their presence and the parts placed in a row of boxes mixed up together. They then requested the workman whose duty it is to 'assemble' the arms, to put them together, which he did, the committee handing him the parts taken at hazard, with the use of a turnscrew only, and as quickly as though they had been English muskets, whose parts had been carefully kept separate.""

per week. On the return of this committee the Enfield works were pushed into extensive operation, especially under the pressure of the Crimean war. The establishment is arranged to turn out 2,000 guns per week. The Birmingham gun-makers were stirred up to somewhat indignant emotion at this Government competition and interference in their trade; but as they could not put down the Enfield factory, they formed a large and powerful joint-