NEW ARMY RIFLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 291, 18 January 1910, Page 2

NEW ARMY RIFLE.

DESIGNS FOR AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON INVITED. ' A military development of the utmost importance—nothing less than the rearmament of tile Army—is (stated the Loiidon Daily Mail on"2oth November) foreshadowed by the news that an invitation has' been issued to gunmaKers to submit to the War Office designs and patterns for an automatic service rifle. In its issue of the date mentioned, the Army and Navy Gazette stated tnat these designs and patterns are to be delivered by Ist May next to the Director of Artillery, accompanied by at least three pounds of rimless or other ammunition for use with the arm. The rifle must be as simple, strong, and compact as possible; its mechanism is to be protected from the entrance of sand and dirt, and to be free from uerangement by accident or exposure. Jt must also be capable of being easily inspected and cleaned without the use ot tools. The weight of the weapon, without bayonet and with magazine empty, 'is .not to exceed 9%l'b. The bullet is to be pointed and to weigh .from 150 to 180 grains. The calibre is to be .270ih to .280 in. The automatic principle, by which the recoil of one shot reloads the weapon and cocks the trigger, has been widely adopted in pistols. The Browning, Wellley, a'ul Mauser pistols are of this type, and have proved thoroughly trustworthv and capable of rapid and accurate fire wheu carefully handled. Several patterns of fcitomatic rifles have been produced by lontinental firms, the best, known being the 'Mauser. As yet, however, they are • not known to have been adopted by any European army, though there are reports that the German army is being re-armed with an automatic weapon. ' The advantages of--. |h» are: (1) Greatly md-reaved rapidity of fire; (2) the soldiei; after firiyg"can keep his rifle at his slioulder and his eye on the sights and the; enemy; (3) there is no recoil, J