 The technique developed by de Bange is still in use today.The only major advance on the original de Bange system was the introduction of the stepped screw in the Welin breech block of 1889, which greatly increased the load-bearing surface of the breech, allowing them to be made shorter, simpler, more secure and faster to operate.Other block mechanisms are also used, but the de Bange obturator remains widespread even on these.