The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-07

THs Navy s-,.m A,m-Tes,s - s--s, sher-.
rnd Plates.

rnd Plates.
wLsa1NoruT. April 0-Ths abatement re-
Gently made by Hanover newspaper that the
French are about 10 effect still another change
In their magazine small arms. by adopting the
0-millimetre barrel, Is Of great interest to our
own services. The present Jebel rife IL OF
millimetres. or .315 inch. This is vell-known
standard which was great break from what
had previously been customary. But II =
change Il made to O millim etres. the new
hnrrel would be only about .236 inch. What is
particularly Interesting. however. IL that this
last callbre IL exactly what has been fixed
upon for our navy: and. accordingly. should
the report in regard to France be verified. II
would DO great support to our naval ord
nance experts IN their own decision. The
case would be still more remarkable In view Of
the expense to which France has been in arm
Ing her troops with the .3l5 rife. Indeed. the
truth in this matter will possess an interest for
all countries having magazine arms.
As has already been announced. the tests Of
barrels for the navy s.nsll arm we're concluded
at Newport some time ago. II was found that
the charge best adapted for the arm was 80
grains. This gave the very high velocity OF
2. 454 feet per second. as q mean OF 80 shots
at a distance OF 90 feet from the muzzle. while
the maximum pressure. as deduced from q
mean OF 30 shots. was 1900 pounds per
square inch. This velocity is naturally higher
than that which is obtained with the 30-calibre
army rifle. The barrel Is to be 30 inches long.
that length being found superior. In the tcsts.
to one Of ~ inches It is thought that . sword
bs ~ or knife g!ll be used Tho steel-iacS-
On Aug. 1 next the tests OF bfeech closure
magazines fitted to the barrel just described
he supplied 10y the Govern M nt at cost to those
who wish to- compete. and will be severely
defective ammunition. excessive charges. fa:
pldity accuracy and ability to stand dust and
rus, 1hese tests recall those Of the Surfing
field Board In selecting an army gun. The en-
DURANGO test will be pi 500 rounds II remains
to add that the ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OF the
cations for barrels. and since the com petition
In magazine eystems is open to ALL under the
when the n arm is Selected. It is hoped that
there will be fine competition.
IN. range test Of the i2,inch gun Is Al in
made with J, 1OO-pound shotS. driven. By 4O3
poWGer velocity 9 ~ s feet per second Dd0 oe
ing obtained with the higher charge. IL was
fly and pressure would be followed By one for
extreme range. on course ten miles down the
NOT such az You'll al do fp G:cs
was POSTPONED: AS The i3-lneh gun il IL.
powder maj. be furnished. The official report
OF Lieut.. Mason shows that in the firing
against the Pinch Herveysd Carnegie plate.
on the casion Just referred to. with a 0-ineh
gun and charges OF about III pounds. the
johnson cast-steel shot OF 5O4 pounds pene-
trated -, inches and the Carpenter amor
piercing projeetile about ~ inches The
plate on each occasion suffered two through
cracks. bu: both pro,sctiles were broken.
The test Of the two 1000 pound Wheeler
Sterling shells by the Ordnance Department
OF the army has been deemed very successful.
such proI-ctiles having walls one-tenth OF an
inch thinner The results Of the tests OF
12-inch piercing projecties from the
carpenter and Midsale eoppani.s at SANDY
trial made at sandy Hook in connection with
the 12-inch gun IL that Of the Grnson m minimum
port gun carriage As its name indicates. but
little Of the gun is supposed to be exposed by
IL when mounted In turret. and It was ought
from the krupp Company as a typo OF case
ment carrlsges-
1t IL expected that the latter part OF this
month. or else during May, trials will be had
OF the hig electric search light which was on
exhibition at the Worlds Fair. It was pur-
chased for coast defence purposes. and Sandy
Hook lie an excellent place for mounting It In
order that II may render good service.