The Washington times., 1901-09-03
INFANTRY ARM PROBLEMS.

When the present smar-calibre rfses
were first introduced in the army there
were many criticisms on >ail sides. but
gradually the critics became silent. and
the new weapon was accepted without
further objection.
The outer form of the various models
constructed between 1856 and 1883 is ma
terially different from that of earlier
types. The addition of jacket or mantle
for the tube and the attachment OF the
magazine, however, were not conducive
TO a convenient shape of the rifle. al
though more convenient form is much
desired by the soldier.
In the last decade 1t has been found that
the outer jacket could be dispensed with
and the weight thereby considerably re-
duced. at the same time giving the piece
more manageable form.
Reduction of weight has been the con-
slant effort of the manufacturer and in
ventor of late years, and 1t is greatly de-
sired for service. The present models
vary in weight from pounds to ss2
pounds. the United States Krag- -Joryen-
sen weighing 1856 pounds High authori-
ties are of the opinion that 1t is not ask
ing too much of manufacturers to have
this weight reduced to 7.15 pounds. and
of the infantry rifle in the near future.
The objection that this will increase
the shock Of recoil too much will not
hold, as it can be overcome by finding a
proper propeiIing agent The vetterli
gun (model of ls69-Sl. weighing 1014
pounds. had a force of recoil of IL metre
Kilograms and did not incommode the SOL
dier. The Mauser gun (model 1880. weigh
"a force Of
o.S5 metre-kilograms. 1t is only ques-
ton of finding a propelling agent which
will give a practically constant pressure
while the projectile is in the bore.
1t may be assumed as quite certain that
in the near future the infantry arm will
utilize the force of recoil to open, COM
press. and close the breech mechanism.
Until the proper propeiling agent is found,
however, II Will be impossible to construct
a suitable infantry arm of this kind.
The question OF calibre has also come
up again. The Spanish-American and the
small-arm projectiles Of OBS, 0.276. and
0.303 inches diameter produce. in the ma
jority of cases. wounds which do not put
the wounded out OF action even tempo
them for war of any considerable dura-
ton.
The surgeons of these wars are unani-
nous in the opinion that these modern
reported when they were first adopted
Even as early as the Graeco-Turkish war
Dr. Edmond Lardy reported that our
smali-arm projectiles did not arrest the
cavalry at all, and the infantry only very
inadeQuately." And DIR. Hildebrandt, sur
geon in the Royal Prussian infantry, re-
ported in regard to. the South African
war: More than third of the wounds,
unless the projectile strikes a nerve or
large vessel (Which is rare), are so light
that the wounded are able to march on.
and even to continue to fire, while the
pain is scarcely felt. In case of horses,
even when fatally wounded, they can go
considerable distance before breaking
down.
large number of rounds to be carried,
but this is of little advantage If the pro-
jectiie does not kill; moreover, to give
the piece the same life it must be made
thicker in the barrel. consequently heayi-
er, and so the advantage of the small cal
1bre Is neutraiized- This refers to cali
bres below 10 nm. as compared with
one of nm. Again. the miIlimetre pro-
Jectile with the same muZZie velocity
will be superior to the smaller calibres
at long ranges, because it will retain
greater energy and will be less affected
by air currents acting across the plane of
fire.
1t may be possible, perhaps, to construct
guns of very small calibre funder 0.3 inch)
which Will fulfill all requirements. but the
present Indications are that the rifle of
the future will have at least 0315-inch
bore, and probably greater.
The question of a practical sight Is at
least as important as that of calibre. The
sight should be very simple in construc-
ton, admit of quick and certain adjust
ment for every range. and of easy super
vision by the squad leaders, and possess
an extended field Of view. Above all. it
should admit of quickly catching the tar
get. which would Indicate the open ring
sight as the best. such, for example, as is
used in sporting rifles, where the same
comes into play. Another requisite is
simple and reliable range finder. since the
best sight may prove dead capital with
out :. Finally, there must be an arrange
ment to prevent firing too high; 1t is much
less important to continually raise the
of a firearm than it Is to
arrange it so that the soldier is automat-
ically compelled to fire approximately
right. This matter has been referred 10
by many high authorities of late. The
Belgian Lieutenant d Aout says: Give
the soldier as soon as possible a gun
which approximately points itself. Lieu
tenant General Rohne, of the Prussian
army, adds: II consider 1t quite possible
to construct rifle which can be fired only
at elevations under 3 or degrees, giving
a maximum range of 1870 yards. and en-
tireIv preventing firing at elevations now
possible. OF course, this is only for ordl-
nary use; there must also be special ar
rangement to admit of the use of higher
angles" 1t is believed that ordinarily no
range over II50 yards will be required.
and the modern graduations to 200 yards
are of no practical use.
The bolt and the movable (but not de-
tachable magazine will remain. as they
have proved their efficiency.
The bayonet is still essential, but as 1t
has become a dagger in its use. it will
have shape to correspond
All bands etc. will probably be made
Of aluminium alloys, such as magnalium,
to reduce the weight
The small arm of the future VIII. II Is
believed. weigh about 7.15 pounds with
out bayoneO, its callbre will be OBS to
D. .373-inch; 1t will have bolt block. a
(but not detachable) magazine
holding five or six rounds, a simple ring
sight with an arrangement to prevent
firing too high. and pistol grip The
plates, bands. etc, will of maSnalium or
some similar light metal, and the baypnet
a four-cornered dagger.
This Is the weapon which the modern
authorities on tactics would like to see
in the hands of the infantry soldier, and
believe will be ere long.
POLITICAL COMMENT.