The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-01-14
MACHINE GUN FOR WAR SHIPS.
The Most Destructive Gun Yet Found,
Having a Record of 42o Shots a Minute.

The Most Destructive Gun Yet Found,
Having a Record of 42o Shots a Minute.
WASHINGTON, Jan. "A new ma
chine gun has been adopted for use on
naval ships which the Small Arms
Board reports to be the most destruc-
tive weapon, firing a bullet of its cali
bre, yet found. The gun has a record
of 42O shots a minute, and requires no
work except the pressure of an electric
button to maintain the terrific fire,
The gun is self feeding and grinds out
shots with a rapidity that would make
1t a most dangerous piece for landing
parties AS compared with the Cat
ling, which has been the naval machine
for years, it is just about as superior as
the modern riaed gun is the old smooth
bore. The Gatling has a weight of $50
pounds, while the new gun weighs only
thirty-fve and can be taken by a man
on his shoulder and easily carried from
point to point.
For years the Ordnance Department
has been experimenting with various
types Of machine guns with a view to
perfectlng an automatic system where
by the guns could be worked by an
electric button, rather than by the old
trigger style now in use, and Of the
several guns submitted IN the cOmpetl-
ton all have been so near one another
in excellence that the board has had
great difficulty in making a choice.
Last winter the number from which a
selection was to be made was reduced
to three-and after numerous trials and
changes the Ordnance Bureau has re
ported in favor of the Colt gun, and
has given an order for the immediate
purchase of fifty, which will be placed
on shlpOOard az soOn as they are dellv-
cred. The report of the Board says
that the automatic system having been
perfected to a point where there seems
to be no longer room for further i'm
provement, il has become necessary to
adopt this type of gun and to discard
all hand-WOrked pieces. The only ques-
tiOr that arose in determining the
particular gun to be accepted by the
department was whether the automatic
system had been developed to a point
where it could no longer be improved.
The new Colt gun is the lightest
weapon of its power and efficiency
known to ordnance officers, and is
especially adopted for use in tops of
var ships and by landing parties of
blue jackets. The guns calibre is the
same as that of the new small arm,
about which the army thinks a MS
take has been made in reducing the
size of the bullet. A continuous belt
feeds the gun, and one man with his
finger pressed on a button fires it. With
his other hand he trains it from side to
side as though the muzzle wer a hose,
and as fast as one band of cartridges
runs out another is attached.
The department., believing that the
two rejected guns are almost the equal
of that adopted, has given their manu-
facturers two months in which to
remedy some minor defects. and then
another trial will be given, and if on this
they prove to be equal to the Colt, the
navy will also adopt one of the two
guns. Ali are of the same calibre and
general design, so that all three could
be adopted and installed on the new
ships without there being any necessity
of changing ammunition. The depart
ment is anxious to adopt all three types,
so that there can be no delay in fur
nishing machine guns to the navy.
About 1913 guns are required for service
on ships in service, and it is expected
that these will be delivered early this
spring.-NeW York Sun.