New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-06
1T STOPPED THE BULLETS:
SUCCESSFUL TEST OF ARMoR IN THE
ODD REGIMENT ARMoRY. BROOKLYN


SAW KRAG-JoRGENsEN RIFLE BALL FAIL
70 PENETRATE AN IMPROVED FRO
TECTIvE MATERIAL.
A public exhibition OF bullet-proof auto-dynamic
armor was given by the inventor. W. Leonard
Foote in the I'D Regiment Armory yesterday
afternoon. Several representatives Of foreign Gov
ernments and others interested in armor were
present by invitation The same material was
tested three years ago. but has since been much
improved Some OF the advantages claimed by
Mr.. Fooe for his armor are that IT is % per cent
lighter in the ratio of resistance than STEEL that
when penetrated by bullets the puncture instantly
closes, thus keeping out water: that 1t Is nom
magnetic, thus being especially valuable for use
on the bridge Of naval vessels for shields where
steel cannot be used in proximity to a compass on
account Of Its magnetic influence that there Is
no danger from flying splinters of steel or defect
ing bullets and that IL does not rust scale.
Mr. Footo does not disclose the nature of his
material. and yesterday. when not In use the
plate was kept tightly locked In The sur
face was covered with white enamel. The sub
stance responds to a rap with sound like papier
mache hard rubber.
The test made yesterday by shooting at a
block OF the material about two and a half inches
thick. This was said TO be equal in resistance to
a steel plate tlreoQuarters OF an inch thick which
would weigh twice much to the cubic foot.
Before the test began Count Goatzen military
attachG Of the German Legation in Washington;
ID. r. Mertvago captain In the Russian Navy
and a naval attache Of the Russian Legation In
Washington: Already Veiner Russian Vice-Consul;
Louis l. c. Amundsen. Vice-Consul from Denmark;
Hector Hernandez. representing the Gillian Gov
eminent and other representatives OF foreign Pow
crs had gathered around the little booth which
to be the frame for the target. Fifty feet
away was the station from which the firing was
IN no + A COMPANY u,
23d Regiment. the marksman. The guns used
the Krag-Jorgensen. used in the United
States Army, and the improved 93 model Win
chester Shots first fired at column or
nfty-four half-lnch boards. and plates Of steel
armor-platc, one-half and one-quarter OF an inch
thick respectively. This was done to show the
power OF the rifles used and the difference In the
effects which the shots had on the regular steel
armor and the new auto-dynamic armOr The
tests showed that there little difference in the
penetrating powers Of the Krag -Jorgensen rife
but the last two Of the boards. The half-inch
n6 a i@ R T5 by Ph he bu E The qaT
icf-inch stee. plate was perforated ana me pull
Tho frame containing tho new material to he
a WI The The" oresn IN roWdd around
and examined 1t eagerly. The target was two feet
long by one ana half feet wide and two and a
70 more Thoroughly demonstrate Ns ability 70
stop the bullet and absorb the vibration pane OF
glass was placed behind the target. Mr.. Foote,
accompanied by Hector hernandez. the Gillian
REPRESENTATIVE. then went into the booth behind the
target 20 listen the action OF the armor compost
tion as the bullet was embedded In IT, one shot
was fred from the KragJorgenscn rifle. On exam
nation f. was found that the bullet had been en-
firDiy embedded IN the plate, a..d the hole which
IL had made had closed up behind tho projectile
Tho glass plate had not been injured. The Win
chester bullet had effect the substance.
The foreign representatives. expressed themselves
as much pleased with the results OF the tests.
They took notes on the experiment, and VIII make
reports 10 their Governments.