[samtheman]

I’m guessing “long-drop” means broken neck, instant unconsciousness, swift death. Is that right?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

That’s the general idea.

[derfel]

Yes!

[chesley]

I’m guessing “long-drop” means broken neck, instant unconsciousness, swift death. Is that right?

That's the way it's supposed to work, but it can also mean decapitation a la Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum in 1901.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KetchumDecapitated.jpg

There's also: suspension, short drop which kill by strangulation, and the standard drop (which was used to execute the Nazi war criminals by the US Army)