Army experts .seek more efficient arm.
Army ordnance experts are • attempting to solve the shoulder
semi-automatic rifle problem'through the developement of a new
type of reduced caliber weapon. This would increase by one third
the amount of ammunition that can be provided in front lines for
the gun without any increase in weight.
J. D-.Peterson f inventor and production engineer, has employed
for some time at Springfield armory to turn out the new gun, known
as the seven-millimeter gun, and the War Department reports already
show important advantages claimed for the weapon as compared to the
two types of standard .50 caliber shoulder automatics with the ex
perts are also experirnenting.
The new gun is a . 276 caliber as cpmpared to the .30 service
ammunition standard. The practical disadvantages of. adding a new
caliber of ammunition to the supply line burdens are fully realized^
and may ultimately prevent adoption of the seven-millimeter gun.
As the Army is now equipped only the regular .30 caliber car-t
tridges are needed for all rifles and machine guns, and troops can
be restocked with ammunition from any depot or dump. This as a
very high power, long range type of ammunition, and not suited to
the probable short range use foreseen in war for shoulder semi-au
tomatics. Furthermore, it has been found that far better results
in the way of sustained fire, economy in weight and other particu
lars can be obtained with the seven-millimeter caliber.
One point already established is that the design of the Peter
son seven-millimeter affords the bes£ yet attained by ordnance ex
perts for quick quantity production. "There is no reason to doubt”,
the official report states, "but that it will be easier and cheaper
xo pur into production than any weapon hitherto designed".
The new gun is built for a range of 1,000 yards, which is declar
ed to be the maximum distance at which rapid sustained rifle fire
would ever be required. Beyond that range heavy machine gun fire
with regular .30 ammunition would be resorted to, as the shoulder
gun is designed only for use against visible targets.
The gun is the equivalent in weight and size of the present
Springfield rifle. It loads with a ten-cartridge clip, ejecting
the clip automatically with the last shot, and the gun and 340
rounds of ammunition have the same weight as the regular Springfield
rifle and 220 rounds of service ammunition.
Because of the reduced powder charge and consequent reduced
heating effect, it can be fired mere rabidly and for a greater
length of time without heating than either.the Thompson or Gerand
.30 caliber guns, and is also said to be free of lubricating i^d
other mechanical difficulties which make the bigger guns subj^^ to
trouble under hard service conditions. ^
The point still to be worked out by experts is whether the srrn V
er bullet has sufficient shock effect to stop a man not hit in a %
vital spot.
The seven-millimeter bullet weighs 125 grains as compared tp
150 grains for the present .30 caliber service bullet, and the 172
grain new model bullet for long range fire.
Twenty Thompson shoulder guns and 20 Gerand weapons have been
ordered for service tests at the Infantry School, at Fort Benning,
georgia. The feterson weapon also vail be fully tested out by
the Infantry before any decision is reacned as to the semi-automat
ic type to be adopted as the service standard.
ANXIOUS BRIDE.
Gene: "Look* Lee is leading Iva to the altar".
Lucy: "Leading, nothing.* He’s just holding her back so she
won *t run there".