Armstrong told the 1863 committee that urgent demand for naval and siege guns had required production without previous trials of the patterns. He had warned that large breech-loading mechanisms would need inconveniently heavy parts. Material adequate for the smaller gun proved unsuitable for the larger vent piece. The committee found that opinion favored avoiding breech loading for large guns. A competing technical criticism focused on Armstrong's particular seal: its resistance depended on how tightly the crew screwed it shut, whereas internal pressure should have pressed it tighter. That criticism left room for better breech mechanisms. The Royal Navy relied more heavily on muzzle-loaders while stronger breech systems were developed.
Notable Point · 57:09-1:00:59
Rushed procurement and the Armstrong breech seal
Urgent orders preceded adequate trials, while criticism of Armstrong's seal left open the possibility of a better large breech-loader.