ORDNANCE OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, April 14th, 1860.
GEN. N. BREWER of John,

Adj't Gen'l of Maryland,

Annapolis.
SIR:

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th
inst., and in answer to state, that the Rifle Musket and Long-
range rifle, with sword bayonet, both of the cal. of 58 inch,
are the latest models adopted for the U. S. troops ; the Rifle
Muskets for foot troops,, and the Rifle for the Regiment of
Riflemen. They are considered so far as has been ascertained
from experience, very efficient arms for military service.

The Rifle Muskets and Long-range rifles are manufactured
at the National Armories ; but there is no authority for sell-
ing them. There is now a bill before Congress to authorize
the sale to the States; but it has not yet become a Law.

Our mounted Regiments are armed with Sabres, Revolver,
pistols and Carbines. The pistols most in use were made by
Mr. Samuel Colt, and are of two sizes, one for the belt, and
a larger one for the holsters ; the price of the belt pistol is
$18, and that of the holster pistol $22 50. A much cheaper
and it is believed an equally good pistol, can be procured
elsewhere.

The carbines are generally what are called breech-loaders,
The most numerous in our service are of the "Sharps' "
pattern ; which, on account of the greater simplicity of con-
struction, are, I think, generally preferred. Amongst the
others I would mention Burnsides, with a metallic cartridge ;
Maynard's modification of Lafoucheux ; also with a metallic
Cartridge; Merrill's (at Baltimore,) and Joselyn's. Burn-
side's received the award of a Board of officers appointed to
examine and decide upon the merits of different arms of the
kind.

The prices paid for these arms are as follows :
Sharp's Carbines manufactured by the Sharp's .Arms

manufacturing Company, Harford, Conn..................$30.

Burnsides Carbines, manufactured at Providence..........$30.

Merrill—at Baltimore.............................................$35,

Joselyn's-Millbring Mass.....................................$35.