8 
THE SMALL-ARMS OF EUROPE. 
types. The first (type A), with a calibre of ll mm (0*438 ins.), a 
charge of 5 grammes (85 grs.) and 5*2 grammes, and a bullet of 24 to 
25 grammes (370 to 385 grs.), represents the converted Austrian, 
the Prussian, the French, the Russian, and Spanish arms; the other 
(type B) represents the English. 
To find in the table the ordinate, or vertical height, which, for 
instance, corresponds to an abcissa, or horizontal distance, of 500 paces, 
the total range being 1000 paces; according as type A or B be in 
question, the range of 1000 paces is taken in the top or bottom hori¬ 
zontal column, and the abcissa (500 paces) in the. vertical column on 
the right or left. Where the vertical column containing 1000 meets 
the horizontal column containing 500, the ordinate 9*017 metres for 
type A and 8*253 metres for type B is found. 
The table gives a ready means of considering the general pro¬ 
perties of the trajectory between the limits considered—namely, 100 to 
2400 paces—and of estimating comparatively certain advantages and 
defects inherent in each of the two types. It also contains, in a com¬ 
modious form, the data required for solving different problems in 
shooting, and suffices approximately for estimating the depth of 
dangerous zone when the mark has a certain height, &c. 
To compare the path of the type A with that of the Martini, 
the maximum ordinates (printed in large type) may be taken as 
characteristic. 
The table, then, shows that for ranges lower than 600 paces 
(500 yds.), the trajectory of the English arm is higher at its vertex, or 
highest point, than that of type A; that the maximum ordinates are 
equal with the two types for ranges between 600 and 800 paces (500 
and 600 yds.), from which point they rapidly diverge; so that for the 
range of 2400 paces (2000 yds.) the maximum height of the Martini- 
Henry trajectory only amounts to 74*29 metres (245 ft.), while it rises 
to 102*86 metres (337 ft.) for the other type. These ordinates are, 
moreover, at 1300 paces from the firing point for the first, and 
1400 paces for the second. The English arm has therefore a smaller 
drop and a deeper dangerous zone. 
Without carrying these deductions further, we will confine ourselves 
to pointing out how to use the table to solve the problem of fire 
against a concealed object—a problem that up to the present has only 
been dealt with practically to a small extent, but which, if intelligently 
handled, would give a new accession of power to infantry. 
It appears useful to be in a position to calculate the necessary data 
for the execution of this kind of fire; although it may be truly said 
that its success will mainly depend on the care with which the troops 
have been practised in it, and still more on the intelligence and 
aptitude of their leader. 
The problem may be expressed as follows:—Given a mark at a 
known distance, concealed from the firing point by an obstacle before 
it, to find such a visible intermediate point that by aiming at it with a 
suitably selected sight, the real mark, placed behind the covering 
object, may be struck. 
Let L (Fig. 2) be a mark of the same height as A (the firing 
