Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17
SMALL ARMS FIRING
Board Engaged in Revising
the Regulations.
MAIN POINTS SETTLED
OFFICERS HAVE BEEN IN SESSION
SINCE NOVEMBER "A.
Hope Entertained Of Restoring the
Marksmanship to the High Stand
ard of Former Years.
MAIN POINTS SETTLED


lations for small arms is composed of Maj
James Parker, United States Cavalry, as
sistant adjutant general: Maj. John F.
Guilfoyle. 18th Cavalry: Maj. William A.
Mann, 14th Infantry; Mai. Frederick W.
Sibley, 18th Cavalry; Capt. Harry C. Hale.
10th Infantry. The board has now been In
session in this city since November "a and
has practically decided upon the main
points Of change to be recommended for the
revised regulations for small arms firing.
The original instructions upon which the
work of this board is based, enjolned upon
the latter the Importance OF reviving the
old-t time interest In target practice. All field
officers, and the majority OF captains re-
member the time when, the season" hav-
ing arrived. the whole army became alb
sorbed for months at time in target prac-
tice. In those days the allowance of amqnu-
milton was abundant, and the amount OF
practice INDUCED in was limited only by
the number firing and the duration OF the
season. Then, later came the magazine
rifle, reduction in the allowance OF ammu-
milton and a corresponding change In the
course. The Spanish American war and the
Philippine Instruction followed, and from
1893 to 1901 target practice was practically
discontinued. In 1902 the practice was re-
sumed, and the unsatisfactory results which
followed were considered due, partly to the
tnexperience of the troops, partly to the
meager allowance of ammunition, and part
ly to the course itself. Whatever the cause,
the results were not entirely satisfying and
the interest lukewarm. and the board Ii ex-
pected to correct the defects of the present
system, and devise q course that shall stirI-
ulate interest and secure an army of Marks
men comparable with that Of the late SOS
and early gOs.
The great success In our rifle practice in
those days Is admitted to be due principally
to the influence of the able works on the
subject by Capt. (now Maj.) stanhope E.
Blunt, ordnance department, United States
army. The first work of that officer, pub
lished In 1885, was SO perfectly and thor
oughly done that, with some slight revision,
1t remained the guide and text for the army
until the Introduction Of the magazine arm
necessitated some changes. In the revision
OF the present system the board has return
ed to many features OF practice as taught
by Mai. Blunt.
the book will be somewhat altered and an
endeavor will be made to tabulate the pre-
scrtbed course Of firing for the several small
arms SO as to facilitate the study Of the
course and reference to any point or re-
quirement included therein.
While the methods followed In the course
for estimating distance are not materially
changed the course itself will be compul-
sorry for all, and prescribed degrees OF
proficiency in these drills, as well as in
the course of actual firing, will be re-
CURED for qualification in the several
classes Of craftsmanship.
Rifle and Carbine Practice.
There will be three courses for rifle and
carbine-marksman's. sharpshooter's and
expert riiemAn's. In EACH except the ex-
pert riheman's course. there will be "in-
struction" preliminary and record prac-
t!ce." In the instruction practice latitude
W he ia inc IN ha
of ammunition expended upon each soldier
the idea being that a saving may be made
on excellent and experienced shots to be
expended on poor and inexperienced ones
This practice will be completed throughout
before record practice Is begun.
The marksman's course Is divided into
slow fire practice, rapid fire practice and
skirmish practice. In the slow fire prac-
tice circular bull s-eye target will be
used; in the rapid fire, a rectangular figure
target, and in the skirmish practice a
group target. In the sharpshooter's course
long range slow fire at the bull s-eye target
Is employed.
In the expert riieman's course slow and
rapid fire at the bulls-eye target and
skirmish fire at the group target are en-
plcyed. In skirmish practice the firing is
completed on the advance at 200 yards, no
retreat being prescribed: the standing fig
ure is eliminated from the group; the posi-
tion at all ranges Is optional with the SOL
der prone. sitting or kneeling). The num-
Der of shots fired are two at 600 and 500
yards each; three at 400 and $50 yards each,
and ten at 300 and 200 yards together
" hen the soldier hats at 300 yards he has
ten cartridges left. three In magazine and
five IN belt The time limit at 300 yards
Is thirty seconds. and at 200 yards twenty
seconds and the soldier may distribute
the firing OF these ten rounds between the
two ranges as he sees fit, loading one or
more cartridges from his belt after empty
ing the magazine II he desires, and thus
firing six or more cartridges at either
range, and the balance Of the ten at the
other
Those making the necessary record scores
in slow fire, rapid fire and skirmish fire
practice, marksman's course, will be ad-
vanced to the sharpshooter's course, which
consists Of instruction practice and record
practice at 500 and 1000 yards.
This course finished, those making the
necessary scores In the record practice
therein will be advanced to the expert
riheman's course In this there is no In
structlon practice. but a short record test
OF slow. rapid and skirmish fire. the object
being to secure special class Of expert
shots. to whom will be awarded a prize
of additional pay, distinguishing pin and,
possibly, telescope sight.
The percentages required for qualification
In the several classes have not yet been de-
termined, and will depend to some extent
upon the reports to be received from off,
GERS now conducting tests of the prescribed
system at several posts.
In the course OF pistol practice recon-
mended there will be extension Of both
mounted and dismounted practice and an
increased number Of shots fired However.
as part OF this practice will be rapid fire.
the time for its completion will probably be
decreased.
Miscellaneous Changes.
The figure of merit will be readopted
Officers competitions are abolished and
officers will compete in the department and
army competitions for enlisted men,
The army and department medals have
been changed in size. weight and design,
the size being smaller. the weight less, and
the design symbolical Of the object for
which awarded
The appropriation bill provides for extra
| pay of 81 month for soldiers qualifying
as expert riiemen.
The board will recommend the institution
of monthly contests in firing at every post
| practicable. the days to be selected by de-
partment commanders. and the contests to
be conducted under rules prescribed by the
| board.
A course of supplemental practice of one
month will be prescribed for the instruction
Of recruits Joining after the regular prac-
tice season OF three months.
The allowance OF ammunition will be con-
siderably increased. and 1t will be recon-
| mended that special quality Of ammuni-
ton be manufactured for use In competf-
| tion.