THE EQUIPMENT OP FIELD AETILLEEY. 
565 
to satisfactory and close packing. The one in general use abroad is 
simpler and stronger. It consists of a copper tube, closed by a see pi. iv 
wooden disc, beneath which is the friction arrangement, and through 
which the friction wire passes. It is easily packed and is more imper¬ 
vious to damp than ours, as the tube is more effectively closed.* * * § 
44. There should be two sights per gun; one graduated to about Sights. 
3000 yds., of the pattern issued with the new 13-pr., provided with 
FitzRoy's deflectors and the means of fine laying. It should be 
triangular in section; on the right side should be marked the range in 
yards for the shrapnel and annular-segment shells (which should be 
equalized in weight), on the left for the explosive and incendiary shells 
(also equalized in weight). To prevent mistakes, the latter gradua¬ 
tions should be in red. On the third side degrees and minutes should 
be shown. For use in conjunction with this sight a small telescope 
should be issued to the Nos. 1 for the purpose of either watching the 
effect of a shot, or reconnoitring a target before firing.f 
45. The second sight should be telescopic, and graduated up to the ^ t scopid 
extreme range of the guns. The necessary frangibility of this sight 
will render its carriage difficult, and it will perhaps be most conveniently 
placed in a leather case to be strapped to the No. l's saddle. That the 
production of a good telescopic sight is quite feasible, the Report of 
the French Committee on that proposed by Capt. Scott, R.E., amply 
proves, but whether the sight in question is the best we can obtain 
remains to be seen ; it is however “ surely within the bounds of optical 
possibility to construct a telescopic sight that shall fulfil the required 
conditions of service;];." 
46. We have now discussed seriatim the various articles of equip- gj^rs. 
ment that go to make up the weight drawn by the team, but before we 
proceed to discuss the effect the various alterations would have on the 
total load, it will be necessary to touch upon one other subject as it 
also materially bears upon the case. The necessity for high stature 
is much more pressing in the case of a driver who may perhaps have 
to saddle a horse 17 hands high than in that of a man who has to work 
a field gun, and weight may be said to vary directly as stature; yet we 
insist upon our gunners being so much taller than our drivers; we 
would recommend that short men with good chest measurement should 
be chosen as gunners, and that those of field batteries should be taught 
sufficient riding drill to enable them to drive on an emergency just as 
at present our drivers are supposed to know enough gun drill to enable 
them, if required, to take their place in the detachment. As we have 
said weight varies as height. If therefore 10-st. men were carried 
in place of 12-st. men § in a field battery equipment, the saving 
would be 140 lb., i.e., about the weight of a gun-shield. Moreover, by 
* Vide full description in Dr. Beckerheim’s “Field Artillery,” p. 13. 
f Vide It. A. I. Prize Essay, 1880. 
t “ Modern Field Artillery.” Captain W. James, E. E. 
§ The present weight is put at 12-st., as that is the weight generally assumed in calculations 
concerning English gunners. 
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