The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-12-04
SMOKELESS POWDERS.
Rapidly Coming in Use Both for Sms
Arms and ArtillcrY.

Rapidly Coming in Use Both for Small.
Ards and Artillery.
The first general information obtained
in regard to the smokeless powders was
in connection with the Lchel rife, the
new small-caliber repeating arm of the
French, which created such an excite
ment a few years ago, and practically
dictated reconstruction to small arms
throughout Europe. At that time
neither the Austrian -Mannlichcr rife
nor the German repeater used smokeless
powder. 1t is understood, of course,
that the words ''smokless'' and ''noise-
less" are used in comparative sense,
as there is some smoke and some noise
IN nearly all these powders. 1t has
been said, however, that the report of
single Lebel rifle can not be heard at
distance of more than twenty or thirty
yards; that it may be said to make
no smoke, and that the re-
coil is of no consequence what
ever. The powder is said to
be secret compound of gun cotton and
collodion, and its exact composition is
perhaps the only secret now remaining
in regard to the Lebel rifle. The Ger
mans began with the use of the Duttin-
hofer semi-smokeless powder, and have
also made limitations of the French pow
der as nearly as it can be found out.
The Russians have tried new powder,
made by the Ochtenski factory, in imi.
tation of the Duttinhofer, and it's manu-
facturers insist that it is superior to the
latter in ballistic properties; but it has
a little higher initial velocity weight
for weight, with less pressure ON the
bore. This may be the reason why the
Russians have come to the use of the
small caliber, which could only have the
required efficiency with one of the new
compounds, as otherwise the bore would
foul too rapidly.
The English also have obtained a
smokeless and noiseless powder, invent
ed by the well-known artillerist, Cap
tain Noble, of tho Elswick Works. at
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A British mill
tary authority says that it's use has al
most been decided upon, both for small
arms and for machine and quick-firing
guns. 1t speaks of the powder as ga
curious, grayish-looking material, in
long threads or a whipcord- like form,
presumably from the shape it assumes
under hydraulic pressure. It's action is
most startling. At three hundred Yards
range not a sound Is heard when volley
is fired with it, and only faint haze
arises, which is almost imperceptible,
while a shower of bullets is seen to fall
upon the targets, an effect produced
seemingly without cause" Careful
experiments will be made with it at
Lydd. In their quick-fring guns the
British at Shoeburyness have used
the Chilworth smokeless powder
with great effect, obtaining very high
initial velocity. In rapid-fire cannon,
as in magazine small arms, the value of
smokeless powders is obvious, because
the peculiar advantages of these weap-
ons might otherwise be Largely counter
balanced by smoke. Of all the new
powders Schultze's is perhaps the best
known. Nearly or quite all appear to
depend on the union of nitrous COM
pounds of some sort with other sub.
stances. Some will not keep in all CHI
mates, and some give out an unendura-
BILE odor. Their introduction will per-
haps call for some new studies in tactics,
as certain movements now depending on
the cover of smoke can not hereafter rely
on this protecting mantle. But just at
present the tactical considerations seem
to be less important to our own country
than the procuring of powders as eff
cient as the new ones which are finding
favor in Europe. Washington Letter.
An absolute vacuum has never been
attained. It can exist only IN your
mind. Terre Hapte Express.