The Dickinson press., 1889-11-23

Prussia, two regiments, one consisting
of eleven and the other of eight batter
les, practiced all day long with the near
ly smokeless powder, firing projectiles of
different caliber. 1t produced at each
shot "a ball of black smoke about three
feet in diameter, which quickly disap-
pcared." The accounts show that tho
powder left so little refuse in the bore
that, instead of cleaning it out after
every shot, it was only necessary to pass
a rag through it now and then.
In Italy recent experiments with the
same or equivalent powder showed prac-
tically the same results. The new Ger
man powders mado by the united Rhine
and Wcstphalian factories are also high
ly satisfactory in point of initial velocity
and moderate pressures.
The first general information obtained
in regard to the smokeless powders was
in connection with the Lebel rifle, 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 Mannlicher rifle nor the
German repeater used smokeless powder.
1t is understood, of course, that the
words 'smokelcss" and "noiseless' arc
used in q comparative sense, as there is
some noise and some smoke in nearly all
these powders. 1t has been said, how
ever, that the report of a single Lebel
ritlo can not be heard at assistance of
moro than twenty or thirty yards; that
it may be said to make no smoke, and
that the rccoil is of no consequence what
ever. The powder is said to be a secret
compound of gun cotton and cullodion,
and its exact composition is perhaps the
only secret now remaining in regard to
the Lebcl rifle.
The Germans began with the use of
the Duttinhofer semi-smokeless powder,
and have also made limitations of the
French powder as nearly as it can DO
found out. The Russians have tried a
new powder, made by the Ochtenski
factory, in imitation of the D%uttinhofer,
and its manufacturers insist that it is SUI
perior to the latter in ballistic properties;
that 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, invented
by the we'll known artillerist, Capt. No
bic, of the Elswick works, at Newcastle
upon-Tyne. A British military authori-
ty says that its use has almost been de-
cided 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 Il w~hipcordlike form, presumably
from the shape it assumes under hydrau-
lie pressure. Its action is most startling.
AT 500 yards range not a sound is heard
when a volley is fired with it, and only a
faint haze arises, which is almost imper-
ceptible, while a shower of bullets is seen
to fall upon the targets, an effect pro-
duced seemingly without 4 cause" Care
full experiments will be made with it at
Lydd. In their quick firing guns the
British at Shoeburyness have used the
Chilworth smokeless powder with great
effect, obtaining a very high initial We
locity.
In rapid fire cannon, as in magazine
small arms, the value of smokeless pow
ders is obvious, because the peculiar adj
vantages of these weapons might other
wise be largely counterbalanced by
smoke.
OF all the new powders schultze's is
perhapsthe best known. Nearly OF ROUTE
all appear to depend Or the union of nj
trous compounds of some sort with other
substances. Some will not keep in all
climates, and some give out an unendur-
able 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 tho procuring of powders
as efficient as the new ones which are
finding favor in E~urope.-Washington
Special.