Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-19

Wiling TO sell an entire battery or
six field guns, with caissons, hmbers
and accessories. everything complete
except men and horses, but nothing
less than a full battery. The purchase
was not made.
Following the invitation above re-
lated, Krupp, without saying a word
took the specifications as laid down
by the United States authorities and
proceeded to build a gun of crucible
nickel steel. The Krupp standard field
gun Is rs millimeters (2.95-inch) The
United States specified a three-inch
gun. Krupp built three-inch gun.
The United States specifications
were most carefully drawn up, specify
ing the maximum weight behind
horses, the width between wheels, the
number of rounds carried and minute
details concerning construction. The
initial velocity with which the gun was
expected to show was stated, and 1t
was specified that the chamber press
ures should be within prescribed
figures. Finally the gun was called
upon to yield an efficient shrapnel
range of not less than-let us say $500
yards
The effective range Of shrapnel is that
range at which the striking energy OF
the small bullets of the shrapnel when
released is sufficient to knock over
men and horses This range is depend
ent on the muzzle velocity of the
shrapnel shell, and the greater the
muzzle velocity the greater the range
of the projectile. The velocity of the
shrapnel bullets when released by the
bursting open of the shrapnel walls Is
the remaining velocity of the project
lie, and this remaining velocity should
be sufficient to yield TOO foot pounds
of energy to the shrapnel balls.
If the muzzle velocity Of the field
gun Is to be increased in order to In
crease the shrapnel range 1t means
heavier powder charges stronger guns
to resist heightened chamber pressures
and stronger and heavier carriages, all
of which spells weight, and any in
crease in weight spells a lessening of
mobility.
/, Krupp, using crucible nickel steel,
built three-inch gun to meet the
American specifications, and the Essen
engineers knew at once when they
glanced over the specifications that in
the weights permitted they could turn
out formidable gun.
The gun was fired in his presence,
and every shot was carefully recorded.
The Krupp three-inch piece built to
American specifications, and we'll with
in the weight prescribed, instead of
showing a 3.500-yard effective shrapnel
range, yielded for every shot an effect
i've shrapnel fire Of more than 5000
yards.
On the carriage as then used, 1902,
Krupp could never have obtained more
than 5000 yards shrapnel range save
for crucible nickel STEEL 1t Is said that
the United States representative who
witnessed the firings recommended
that the United States purchase with
out delay Krupp equipment
This was not done, since the policy
of the country has always been firmly
set against making purchases abroad,
but not long afterward several field
guns were purchased from Erhardt, Of
Dusseldorf, under general authority,
1t is said, which permitted at the time
of the purchase of limited amount
of war material abroad for experiment
al purposes. Erhardt has since been
absorbed by Krupp.
The effective shrapnel range of
American field guns OF today, 1t Is said.
approximates 5000 yards, SO that the
discrepancy that existed in 1902 is not
to be taken as a present day standard
but 1t is noteworthy that while this
range is standard now, Krupp was
affording these ranges under American
specifications as long as IL years ago.
If Krupp was so far ahead of the day
in 1902, is it to be wondered, it is
asked, that Krupp equipment should
have startled the world with it's eff
cheney in the present war?
The advantage of Krupp crucible
nickel steel is in it's structural quail
ties-in other words. it's uniformity and
lightness. There Is so-called crucible
nickel steel made in many places, but
none so far as is known, that affords
the ordinary guarantees of Krupp.
The advantage of Krupp crucible
nickel steel is conspicuous when 1t
CONS to the batteries of ships of war.
The saving in weight in guns can be
put into other equipment, and may
even permit of an additional size in
caliber being carried in a position
where ordinary weight restrictions
would prohibit.
Krupp has been using brass cases In
eleven-inch navy guns for the last II
years. The case and projectile are
separate, and the loading is by means
of electrically worked hammers, but
long ago Krupp solved the problem of
solid drawn brass cases for large
calibers.
1t is question whether brass cases
for the heavy guns is a real advantage.
Many American officers think other
wise The Krupp engineers maintain
that the brass cases obviate the use
of powder tanks and that there is less
delay than Is occasioned in transport
ing powder from the tanks.
On the other hand, it is recognized
that the brass cases are a nuisance,
perhaps, after firing. but that arrange
ments are possible for their quick re-
moval. Krupp has for many years now
employed only powder fiber bags; that
is to say, bags made of powder fiber,
There is no danger, therefore, from
burning fragments in the gun after
discharge, as from bag particles.
Krupp further maintains that the
wedge block which is typical of Krupp