A fire-arm in which the charge is introduced at the breech.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 143. Under no circumstances … can a breech-loader be as safe as a solid gun.
1864. Times, 4 Nov., 10/4. One ordinary service Armstrong breechloader … and one Whitworth rifled muzzleloader.
1877. Daily News, 5 Oct., 5/2. Steel breechloaders from Herr Krupp’s factory.
1879. Daily News, 12 Aug., 5/1. The Highland moors have been echoing to the breechloader.
