New-York tribune., 1901-11-09
NEW TYPE OF FIREARM.
GENERAL WHEELER AT HEAD OF COM
PANY TO MANUFACTURE TITO
REVOLUTIONIZE WARFARE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.l
Philadelphia, Nov S.-General Joseph Wheeler
who arrived in this city last night, announced
to-day that ne has come 20 make this city his
permanent home, and to organize stock COM
paay, with capital of S6Ooo0Oo for the manu-
facture under new patent of heavy ordnance
and smaller firearms which he confidently e8-
poets will be adopted by the government for the
arming of the vessels and the equip
ment Of the army. In the last few weeks Cen
eral Wheeler has made several visits to this
city on invitation OF the head of the Cramps
Ship and Engine Building Company and, While
negotiations between General Wheeler and the
Cramp officials have not been completed, they
have nearly reached successful conclusion
that both they and bankers who have been in
terested have no fear that publicity at this time
will have any effect to break them off.
General Wheeler said to-day:
l have entered heart and soul into this new
project simply because of my desire to have
country in the possession of the most effective
weapons earth Money Is a secondary object.
In the Spanish campaign troops were
equipped with rifles that greatly inferior
to those in the possession of the enemy. When
went TO the Philippines found the same state
of affairs. The native troops there have rifles
that completely discount the rifles OF our men.
This invention is, however, pronounced reVo-
lutionary by the army and navy officers who
have witnessed tests. OF the matter Of
much time and consideration, yet believe our
troops will get the new weapons. Why. 1 will
take one regiment equipped with these rifles
and whip any three regiments earth armed
with other weapons.
And the same applies to naval warfare with
the big guns. The lack OF recoil and the ra-
pidity Of action of big guns of this variety would
turn the tide of any battle between ships that
were fairly evenly matched. The question OF
reCof is of first Importance A soldier doesn't
mind the first few kicks of his rifle but by the
time he has fired eight shots his
shoulder shrinks nvoluntarily before each dis
charge, and after that there can be no more
accuracy of aim A woman can fire one OF these
rifles all day.
Our plans call for a great factory that will be
notable even in this city of vast industrial
works. We came here partly owing to an invi-
taton from Cramps. but whether or not deal
will be entered into with that firm is still uncer-
tain Overtures have been made, and the ques-
ton Is pending. Possibly there will be direct
connection between the firms. and still we may
have site close 10 their works. That is another
matter not fully worked out.
Our secret tests have been witnessed by many
government officials, officers and business men.
and have met every requirement. Our gun works
fast that the only practical means Of measur-
ing its speed was the erection Of a great circular
target of zinc which revoved at known speed.
We fired along the rim. and by many tests
proved that the gun could fire twenty-five shots
a second
Edwin S. Cramp. ice-president and treasurer
OF the Cramp company, said to-day:
My brother Charles. the president OF our COM
pany and myself have witnessed several tests
OF the new gun. and are greatly impressed. 1t is
truly a wonder; it Is even revolutionary, and
have never seen its equal Regarding any pos
sbe business combination l cannot speak rs
yet. Certainly deal has yet been arranged.
although General Wheeler has made us propo-.
ton You may quote. me. however. as saying
the gun is A wonder.
g. II. Clarke. jr. OF the banking firm OF f. '"
Clarke G. CO. in the Built; Building said to-day:
am greatly impressed with the possibilities
of the new gun and have witnessed tests ana
talked with General Wheeler and others inter
ested with him II things arranged IN ac-
cordance with certain views I have presented /
will probably make a large investment
George F. Bartol president of the Bourse. has
invested largely in the stock He said to-day:
The negotiations lack little save the compile
ton OF details. II has been decided that capl-
tai stock to the amount of S6.0oO,OO0 shall be
issued probably par at 500. Of which Sooo,oo
has been subscribed in this city: we 90 not
expect to make any public offering OF the
stock.
The guns have been tested, not only in this
city at the Cramr shipyard. but in secret by
government inspectors at Newport recently. at
which were present four admirals and five gen
erals The gun utlizes the waste power of the
gas generated by each discharge Of a gun in
neutralizing all recoil, in etecting the empty
shell and reloadtng the rifle
A small hole is bored in the rife barrel about
four inches from the muzzle Connecting Win
this hole Is a small tube running back to the
breech Through the hole in the barrel about
six pounds oS the sixty thousand pounds Of gas
generated at each discharge escapes into the
lower tube Inside of this tube is piston rod
which moves with every thrush of gas, and by
acting against a coiled spring provides the power
which neutralizes the kick and also elects the
old shell and slips a cartridge into place
The rapidity with which this Is done can be
guessed by the fact that the only time when
gas is forced into the lower tube is while the
bullet furnishes resistance in passing along the
last four inches of the barrel This time is esti-
mated at one-seventy- five hundredth part Of
second.
In the 3-inch rife the gas generates force
estimated at a bout three hundred tons In small
arms the cartridges generally inserted In
blocks of five and these either be hred
singly or practically instantaneouSly by one
pressure upon the trigger. To up the gun
at each pressure OF the trigger fires five shots
through a single barrel, elects the cartridges.
one by one and reoads the weapon, and an
teen shots a second, about eighty minute.
can be attained through single barrel. owing
to this lack of recoil the carriages of the Dis
guns can be made much lighter than in the rlfes
and cannon now used. effecting a great saving
of weight on all classes of weapons.