Rifles for America (1862)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, April 5, 1862

When the Queen's proclamation prohibiting the export of munitions of war was issued, the American agents, who had been exceedingly busy in the market, were, of course, very much disconcerted. Various schemes were tried for evading the law, but in the face of the proclamation, and the regulations adopted for enforcing it, it was found impossible to execute the large orders for arms, and some of the makers applied to the Government, representing the hardship of their case, and asking if they would take a portion of the weapons off their hands. In reply, specimens were asked for, and these having been supplied were sent to Col. Dickson, superintendent of the small-arms factory at Enfield, with instructions to report upon them. We are informed that upon examination and trial they were found to be of most inferior make, and that many of the so-called "rifles" were merely grooved a few inches from the muzzle. -London Morning Post