Adjective
Receiving the charge at the breech instead of at the muzzle.
Source: Webster's dictionaryAlfred enlarged the factory and fulfilled his long-cherished scheme to construct a breech-loading cannon of cast steel. Source: Internet
Although attempts at breech-loading mechanisms had been made since medieval times, the essential engineering problem was that the mechanism couldn't withstand the explosive charge. Source: Internet
Breech loading was to have a major impact on warfare, as breech-loading rifles can be fired at a rate many times higher than muzzle loaded rifles and significantly can be loaded from a prone rather than standing position. Source: Internet
He built a breech-loading gun with a strong, rifled barrel made from wrought iron wrapped around a steel inner lining, designed to fire a shell rather than a ball. Source: Internet
Donovan, 2008, p. 191: "…a solid weapon with superior range and stopping power…" Robinson, 1995, p. xxviii Gallear, 2001: "The Army saw breech-loading rifles and carbines as the way forward. Source: Internet
During the 18th century, breech-loading weapons were designed, which allowed the rifleman to reload while under cover, but defects in manufacturing and the difficulty in forming a reliable gas-tight seal prevented widespread adoption. Source: Internet