Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
THE NEW ARMY RIFLE.
Capt. j. T. Thompson Talks Instractively
About It.

About It.
The fact that the United States
government has discarded the old
rifle, SO long used in the army, for
an entirely new arm known as the
United States magazine rifle and ca--
bine, has led to an interview with en-
PERTAINING and instructive results on
the part Of the Chicago Times-Her-
aid with Capt. John T. Thompson,
now chief of ordnance of the depart.
ment of the Missouri, and formerly
of Rock Island arsenal. Capt.
Thompson was seen in his Office in
the Pullman building, and he fully
described both the improved weap-
ons and the altered tactics which are
a natural resultant.
"In the Springfield gum" he said,
1.-The weight of the bullet and its cal
iber were reduced, and the charge
remained the same, giving the bull
let q higher velocity, with greater
accuracy and penetration. This ex-
cellent gun was replaced in 1892 by
the United States magazine rifle,
with which the infantry Of the army
is now supplied. and which the cav
airy will also have in the shape of
carbines in a very short time.
The magazine rifle of today is es-
sentially a rapid-iiring gun, giving
its possessor the advantage of inten-
sity of firing at the critical mo-
ments during battle. A number of
radical changes followed the intro
duction of the breech-loading rifle.
All military men recognized that
there would be a greatly increased
expenditure of ammunition in its
use. Consequently. to furnish the
soldier with more cartridges and not
yet increase his already heavy load,
the diameter of the bullet and conse-
quently the caliber of the rifle had to
be reduced.
Tho New Rifle.
1.-The construction of the new
United States magazine rifle" con-
tinued Captain Thompson. ..dilrers
from that of any other arm. There
are two kinds of modern magazine
rifles. One can be used as a single
loader with the magazine held in
reserve by the soldier or made To
deliver rapid fire from the magazine.
The other cannot bc used as single
loader while the magazine is charged.
These latter are called repeaters.
Our new magazine rifle belongs To
the first class. The magazine can he
refilled when entirely or only
partially empty, or it can be used as
a single loader, with the magazine
ignored. The board that selected i,
was appointed in 1890, and they
carefully examined all the rifles that
had been approved by foreign ma.
tions. as well as many inventions OF
our own and other makers. 1t is
upon the Krag-Jorgensen system,
somewhat like the rifle now used in
Denmark. But it is vastly improved
for our service and will soon be in
general use in the army"
Twill the militia have it?"
Later. yes; but not at present"
..In what way will the tactics be
changed?"
"Well, the range of aimed or effec.
tive infantry fire has been increased
from 800 yards with the muzzle'
loading rifle of the war period to
1000 yards with the present
magazine rifle. That is, troops
must pass over 1000 yard:
under heavy fire now. where
they only passed ever 800 yards be-
fore. The ground is swept by Q
more destructive fire owing to the
greater velocity and the more rapid
fire. Hence, time is the most i'm.
portant factor. The changes in tactic.
consist in series of rushes forward
in alternate sections of the firing
line, which is supported by a second
line similarly deployed in the rear
to a point not more than 200 yard.
from the enemy.
"At the 2O0-yard point the two
lines are merged into one, bayonct.
are fixed and rapid fire is begun ant
continued until the effect on the en-
envy justifies an advance at double
time to so yards, when at the com
mand of Charge" the men run a
fast and yell as loud as possible.
1.-The alternate rushes by section
: OF 16-or 3 greater or smaller mum
Der, as the officer in command ma,
decide at the time-are made in shor
distances, SO that when the men re
up to the place from which the charg
is to begin they may not be too mucl
fatigued.
Remember. there are three dis
: tinct lines-the firing line. the sup
: port and the reserve. The firing lin
and support really constitute one lin
when arrived at the charging point
: and the reserve is deployed in tn
. rear, SO that the firing line. in cas-
OF repulse. may have something OIL
: which to rally. or course it is dis
: crctionary with the commander t
. merge his reserve with his firing lin
: just previous to the charge, if it i
e necessary to make the charge efrec
: tive. But he must consider the pos
y sibility of repulse without line o.
> which to rally. NV.
= "Of course it was always NOR
J., difficult to move men accurately i
d extended order than in column. Blu