The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-04-12
rEsrs FOR ZIG GUNS.
Manufacturers Can Now Compete TO
Government Rewards.

Wv - A4&@&0s< NV aNo&s
WASHINGTON, April fo.--Tfsss ssmy forfi-
ficstion board. which has been holding
sessions in the war department during the
winter. has drawn up q set of rules to
govern tests Of experimental guns. The
Art creating the board provides that it
shall prescribe dimensions aud methods of
testing guns Of 10 or ~ inches caiibre that
may De submitted BY private parties. and
II any guu offered shall fulfill the require
meats ~ 10 accuracy, range. power. endur.
ance and general efficiency. the gun and
ammunition (which IL to be furnished
with the gum shall be paid for at a fair
valuation. including cost OF transportation.
A contract ~ also 10 be made M reasonable
prizes with the party presenting the best of
s sue 9, ga = .I for further supply. The
lowing conditions. which have been arS
proved by the SECRETARY Of war.
Ten-inch guns shall be about 20 tons
long ia weight, the length "a ealibres.
the measures from the face III the obturator
10 thesface OF muzxle. Il II desirable
that the trunulons be II inches In diane
ter. aud the distance between rim -hases q
inches, IN order 10 avoid the necessity for
special carriages The power must be
muxzle-enersy OF not less than 1900 foot
tons. The range shall, for % degrees efe-
walton. be 1880 yards. aud corresponding
. 44k&EE1 e1A3A NC UltRt8tu Will luHtf EtEfA-
tons The requirements ~ 10 accuracy
are that 3 per cent. OF the shot shall strike
within q vertical recsaugie, IL feet by L
foot. ut leo yards range and within a hori-
sontai Ffofsugle As yards by 9 2 yards a (
1000 yards range. EThe endurance test shall
not be less than 800 rounds with full
charges. After 30 or more rounds may
hsse been tlred, The gun neay be lined. to-
tally or In part when AZ least so rounds
more will be fired. 10 fully
tess the strength OF construction.
After this the general soundness aud Ell.
cheney 81 the gan should not be materially
impaired. except 80 far as may have re-
| suited from erosion. should any material
modification 81 construction be made
during the trial, NJ least 10 rounds with
fun charges shah he fred thereafter The
weight Of the pvo;eetiles 10 be used with
the charges shall he about S55 pounds.
Three hundred rounds of ammunition
shall be the proper amount 70 be supplied
VIII the gnn FOR the test As proof OF the
general efficiency. the hreeeh mechanism
should work freely and be convenient for
operating. The opening aud closing OF the
hfeeea should be performed without great
diffleuity by one man. The pfoIectiles
! shall admit. 81 being readily handled. sn.
serted sad centered In the bore. and not
be subject 10 injury or reformation either
in handling OF transportation
4 rapsitfy of FRI OF Is rounds per hour
shall Dc ohtainahle. using sach appli-
sases Tor loading A. are employed bv the
ordnance department OF the United states
army aspasrs allow able dnring the en-
tire trial of the gun. exclusive OF insertion
Of lining tahe. will be confined to re-
| pairing OF renewing parts injured during
TIE ttseA Ne alteration that may affect
/ tie general construction of any part win
De made without sanction OF the hoard
4 For istnch gun the weight should fe
aenis 81 tons. Use bore "a csiihres long.
ard Il IL desired that the traunious be IA
inches In diameter and SIS luches be.
Dot less than 26sessl foo. tons AZ Fsnve
of it1f0 yards. At M degrees elevation. the
aessirsey should be the same as at 10 De
i xrees with ihtnch gun. Endurance
should not be less than 10 ROUNDS A
lining may he inserted after no rounds.
| she WEIGHT 81 The pseiertiie shcuid be
atxsig 100 hounds. and the other condi,
firms ere 10 he the same IS IN che ease of q
tetneh gsin. except that \ FIRE of 10 rounds
per hour shall be aftainsaie.
| Experimental guns shauld he submitted
| for test As seon ss practicable. and within
saree years firm tsse. ri pot considered
practicable faF Fhr hoar1 20 determine a,
thix tsnss what will BE- a Fair valuation al
| an experimental een which shall have
fulfilled the requirements prescribed. pos
/ uass should BE = reasonable price for q
fssFthes supply 81 similar guns. IL Is &c
lisyct To b. better on al sccoHnss 10 isaxs
EAssf questions sce determination afssl
| sctasi trial and sueA gssas eau ~ sn0wn
Il i understood. however. that ;he easrs
IS disposed 10 iesi ia {beTss spirit with
parties submitting gnxls> with view 4
IesFrysaE ossE The svistFnt ra-poss az fhs
act al eengress. which Ass "a sneanssK,
! toe development in The Unisei states o
works capable et serplyiag TIE needs a
The conasry In sae wsy es seSeeast de
| lenses