The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-05-22
THE NEW GERMAN RIFLE.
Forciblc Arm, SmOkClcSs and Rapid-Busy Ger
man Gun Factories.
fErrb0uus

A FOrciblc Arm, SmokcIcss and Rapid-Busy Ger
man Gun Factories.
Erchonge.l
The manufacture of the new small .caliber
repeating guns of the model of 1883 for tho
German standing army has just been completed.
Within year and a half the gun factories of
Spandau, Danzig and Erfurt have produced n
suillcient number of guns TO arm almost 100000
soldiers. German military authorities declare
that this rapidity of manufacture IL unprece-
dcnted, and direct attention 10 the fact that the
German army will have been provided with its
new arms i'll much less time than the French
required to Introduce tho Lebel gun.
Every company in the German infantry has
received at least ono gun of tho new pattern,
with full instructions rs to the use of il. All
the infantry of the Ninth Corps have been
armed with the new guns since February 26,
and on April the new nrming of the whole
infantry was about completed. The new arm
ing of the reserves and of that part of tho
militia which, In case of war. must respond to
the irst call is expected TO follow, although the
plans OF the Government and the general staff
IN TINS regard arc unknown TO the country at
large. The militia "of the second cal F" and
the Landstrum will probably use the guns just
discarded by the standing army.
Technically and mechanically tho new re-
peating gun is declared 10 be vastly superior to
any repeating gun heretofore placed in soldiers
hands. 1t is exclusively a repeating gun and
cannot be utilized as asingle loader. Its caliber
Is only eight millimctcrs, considerably less than
the caiihcr of the gun il supplants. It's range
IS l2,50O feet; that is. about 1900 feet greater
Than the range of the old gun. 1t possesses
unequaled power of penetration and surencss Of
ann 1t is very light and s constructed for
the use of smokeess powder 1t is supplied
with cartridges five at time by means OF n tin
frame OF the Mannlcher pattern. After the
htth shot the frame falls to the ground. The
bullet is of the form of q small cross section of
n lead pencil, has a lead kernel under coating
OF steel and a nickel outside. The barrel of the
gun is provided with mechanical device to
keep IL cool during firing
At a distance of 325 feet the bullet pcnetrates
weil-seasoued, close. grained firwood TO the
TO depth OF 81 inches: at distance Of 300 feet.
depth OF lS inches; Mt distance of 2, 700 feet.
To depth Of 10 inches A brick wall unless
unusually thick, affords no protection against
shot from tho new gun. Earth brcHstworks
less than two and Il half feet thick are also
penetrahie. In frcshly-plcd sand. Mt a dis
lance oi 325 feet the ball sinks three feet; ut a
distance of 1900 feet, 20 inches; ut n distance
OF 2.fo0 feet, IL inches; at n distance Of $500
feet. four inches
AT distance Of $50 feet the new gun is al
most absolutely accurate. It is a sure shot at
single kneeling man 100 feet away, or at
two men knecling side by side 600 feet away
or at two men side by side 1000 feet away.
10 illustrate the wonderful efficiency of tho
new gum saysa military writer In the Munich
Aiigemeine Zeitung ~ will give n few CON
crete examples of what It's effect on warfare
VIII BE- From now on even the stontcst trees
VIII give the foot soldier in battle little pro-
lection. for the balls from the new guns will
SIMPLY pass right through tho trunks. Six
men IN column. each seven PAGES from the
man before him, may he shot through with ono
hniiet. provided that 10 comes in c0ntac: with no
metallic substance on the persons Of any of
them. The advantage that the bullet of the
new gun leaves only small hole behind 1t is
comparatively insignificant. Moreover. should
an enemy, as has often happened. defend him
seli hehind village or courtyard walls, he
VIII be protected only in case tho wall Il re-
markably stout, for balls from new guns have
repeatedly penetrated with ease walls a brick
aud half thick, The present rearming Of the
Gernan infantry. together with the introduc.
lion Of the smokeless powder il. Of all the re.
armine of infantry in this century tile most
Important gun has been introduced which,
ln every respect, Is superior 10 all other guns
ms fact Is of the greatest importance aud
cannot fail Of considerable effect on Infantry
tactics, especially in the direction Of the more
frequent formations in line as compared with
formation in colnmne