The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-16
UNCLE SANS NEW RIFLE
THE BEST IN THE WORLD

the same calibre-0.3-and weighs the
same. but IL is sent on fits mission Of
death by 1913 grains OF powder. while
the present rifle has but 37.s grains.
The bullets leave the new weapon at a
muzzle velocity of 1900 feet per second.
or 500 feet faster than those of the
Krag-Jorgensen. At a distance of LOCO
yards they are flying at the rate Of s5s
per second. compared with sO1 on the
part of the old rifle.
There is also a great gain in accuracy
on account OF the hatter trajectory. Ex-
perts in firearms the world over have
tried to reduce the parabolic curve
bullet must perform The higher SOL
der has to aim in shooting az dis
lance the greater the loss IN accuracy.
The heavy charge of powder besides
giving a greater striking power. causes
the bullets to travel in a fatfer curve
To reach target 1000 yards away the
bullets of the Krag-Jorgensen must go
five feet higher in the middle distance
than those of the Springfield. Up to
the present time the Germans have held
the palm for fiat trajectory. but at a
distance of 1000 yards we beat them by
lessening the curve three feet. Although
the increase in the charge of powder
makes the weight of the cartridge. in
Guiding the larger size of the she'll,
twelve grains more than that OF the old
the total weight of the rife, bayonet,
and 100 cartridges is less than that Of
the old rifle with similar equipment.
This is owing TO the economy striven
for in arranging the parts of the new
arm.
One of the features which saws both
time and weight is the new bayonet It
is merely the cleaning rod of the rife
utilized as a stabbing weapon. BY press
ing button under the muzzIe the steel
rod, O.3 inch in diameter, may be pulled
out ten inches beyond the end OF the
gun. when the button-catch clicks and
holds the rod firm. The point OF the
rod terminates in sharp screw-like tip,
capable OF infiicting a most ugly wound,
and for all offensive purposes is as dan
gerous as the bayonet. which II will re-
place. Il takes but a moment to IN
Il in position. and in addition te this
Il effects a saving of the weight eff both
the bayonet and seabbard. The new
weapon will be known as the f'red baye-
net" and, although IL Is improbable
that IT will be used to a great extent,
because modern warfare has ruag dews
charge. IL will do Just as much eKeeu-
t4on IN close quarters as the clumsy old
point that hampered the soldiers in the
battles of previous generations. 1t is
probable also that the introduction OF
the new rife will mean a change II rhe
manual OF arms. and the attention OF
the general staff has been called to this
point Fix bayonets" and load OF the
old manual must be modified.
The new model Springfield is a maya
zine gun. with capacity for five cart
ridges-the same as that OF the Krag-
Jorgensen. There is an improvement
in this respect. too. for the magaziue
is in the stock. right below the breech.
while that of the old rife projects cium-
silly at the side. The magazine Is load
ed by brass clips. each holding i've
cartridges. The clip is held edgewIss
over the chamber and by pressure with
the right thumb on the top cartridge all
five shells are forced into the maya
zine, leaving the empty clip in a verti-
cal position outside. II is expelled by
a forward movement of the knob bolt
which closes the chamber. Before each
discharge of the rife this bolt IS pump
ed backward and forward. the backward
motion expelling the empty she'll and
the forward motion bringing into place
L. H., Nn 10 al
as a single-loader or as a repeater.