The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-13

rotating device. The hole, therefore
can play no part in the development oil
the high velocity attained. 1t does, no
doubt, assist to sustain the velocity. But
we are inclined to think that its effect is
overestimated, and that a portion of the
Improvement in results has a different
explanation. The hole has the advantage
OF reducing the tendency to tumble, first
by the central air current, and secondly
by increased directive force due to the
rotary effect being very great for the
weight oil the bullet, the mass being ar :
ranged about the periphery. The shape
of the bullet is such that its flight might
be very erratic were IL not for these
steadying influences.
Bullet-Proof Textile Shields.-The serv-
ice and technical journals and the public
press have been full of accounts of exper-
nents with inventions of this sort. The
nrst shield to appear was the "Dowe Tex
| tile Cuirass," and, during the spring and
| summer of 1894 il was a singularly I'M
| fruitful month that did not bring out a
new one. The material in each case is a
secret to the inventor. All appear to be
made OF some sort of tough compressed
fiber, built up like felt. They vary in
thickness from three to six inches, and in
weight from three to IL pounds per square
4 ACON lucy seem 10 resist outlets from
old-type rifles, and some will stop any pro-
jectile but steel one from a modern rifle.
An English lady is SAID to have invented
material that affords protection against
all ordinary bullets, and yet is so thin
that dress made of il is not unduly
heavy, and Is scarcely distinguishaDle
from one made of ordinary cloth. This
stor', however. is probably the production
OF an imaginative reporter. The type of
Dove cuIrass which was designed to re-
sist bullets of modern rifles, fired at high
est velosty, is about Is by IA inches, and
three inches thick. The weight is ~
pounds, but this could, it is said, he re-
duced to nine pounds without materially
affecting its strength. There seems to be
no reasonable doubt of the resisting pow
ers OF these shields, at least of most of
them. The question then arises, Can they
be made use of in warfare? At present
the general opinion is unfavorable to
them. Some new turn in the kaleidoscope
of military development may, however,
cause a change of view.
ALUMINIUM EQUIPMENTs.-Theor ordnance
department of the army has received a
number of reports of officers throughout
the country on the value of aluminium ac-
coutrements. Experiments with this metal
have been going on for some time past,
and the reports received indorse its use.
The articles furnished the officers for test
were horseshoes, cups, bet-p!ates and
other articles, the aluminium for which
was furnished by the Pittsburg Reduction
company. In only one instance is there |
an unfavorable report upon an article, |
and that is upon horseshoes. The officer |
reporting upon aluminium horseshoes SAYS |
they do not come up to requirements. and |
unless improvements are made he would |
not recommend their adoption. The re-
ports upon the other articles, however, are |
so favorable that it is probable that the |
metal will be adopted for their manufac-
ture. The ordnance department has also
made arrangements with the Pittsburg
Reduction company to furnish it with
canteens, meat cans, ETC., for test. These
VIII be given thorough trial, and, should
they prove satisfactory, will also be
adopted.
Doubts concerning the accuracy of the
newly adopted rifle for target purposes
were recently disspated when an ordinary
sergeant, made next to the
highest score ever made in the service
with any gun. The rifle is deadly accu-
rate for 1000 yards, which is 240 yards
more than a mile.
The soldier lost in the recent blizzard
nyar Fort Asslniboine was First Sergeant
Brown of l troop, 10th Cavalry. He had
been a first sergeant for over % years.
His body has not been found owing to
deep SHOWS.