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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
inferior to the existing arrangement in our own batteries. It is, how¬ 
ever, employed in the new materiel now in process of issue. 
The question of rifling is, of course, dependent to a great extent on 
the method of loading, charge, &c.; but the sharper twist used in the 
Woolwich gun should be noticed, especially as with the poly groove 
rifling a longer and heavier shell is fired. 
It is difficult to understand the smaller bursting charges of the 
Prussian shell, except upon the supposition that firing against hostile 
troops over the heads of a co-operating infantry force is the main object 
sought. The peculiar construction of the shell (noticed in “ Trans¬ 
lations” issued with No. 1, Yol. IX.) favours the probability of this 
idea. 
The breech-loading apparatus of the new guns differs but slightly 
from that of the former ones, the main alteration being an improved 
gas-check—the invention of Lieut. Piorkowski. 
The English R.H.A. gun appears to be lighter in draught and to 
carry more rounds into the field than its German compeer. 
In comparing the relative value of the artillery of the two nations it 
must be borne in mind that the Prussian field gun is the equivalent of 
our 16-pr., and that both our 9-prs. must be classed in the same cate¬ 
gory with their horse artillery gun. 
R.M.C., 
May 30,1875. 
