NEW IDEA IN BIG GUNS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 23, 11 February 1937, Page 5

NEW IDEA IN BIG GUNS

Press Assn.-

German Invention With High Velocity

By Telegraph—'

— Copyright.)

(Received 11, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10. The Morning Post's naval correspondent says it is believed that Germany has discovered a secret enabling guns to achieve muzzle velocity, hitting velocity and range considerably in excess of guns of equivalent calibre built by other nations. Photographs show a malformation of the barrel near the muzzle, in eome tnstances resembling a broad collar and in others a bell-like formation suggesting a modified blunderbuss. The freak design has puzzled experts throughout the world, The idea repres6uts a development of the streamlined bullet, possessing an almost pointed tail to reduce the vacuum which is largely responsible for resistance in flight. The enlargement of the bore helps to eradicate bias and also imparts extra spin to the projectile, which is equipped with finlike elots. This new development probably explains why Germany is content to build ships with guns of inferior calihre to those of other nations.