NOEDENFELT AND HOTCHKISS GUNS. 
521 
The rapidity of firing was in favour of the mitrailleuse, the accuracy 
slightly in favour of the revolving gun. 
A great number of rounds were then fired to test the durability of 
the respective mechanisms. That of the revolving gun stood the test 
perfectly, but one of the needles of the mitrailleuse was broken off in 
the chamber, which caused a delay of half-an-hour. 
Denmark .—The trials in this country showed that the balance of 
rapidity lay with the mitrailleuse, that of accuracy with the revolving 
gun. Both were fired from a gun boat at anchor, and also in motion, 
and a certain number of rounds were fired at night, by electric light. 
The averages of hits per minute at various ranges were—- 
Eevolving gun .4 f 67 
Mitrailleuse. 3-98 
The committee of experiments arrived at the following con¬ 
clusions :— 
1. The revolving gun is easier to work than the mitrailleuse, which 
requires three men; the latter can, however, be fired with greater 
rapidity, but the accuracy of the former is considerably greater. 
2. The projectile of the revolving gun is heavier, and its explosive 
shell makes it much more formidable than the mitrailleuse against 
torpedo boats. Its mechanism is simple and more durable, it is easier 
mounted on board ship, and the nature of its construction would allow 
similar guns of much greater calibre to be manufactured. 
Acting on the recommendation of the Committee, the Danish 
Government determined to adopt the Hotchkiss revolving gun. 
In Russia experiments of like nature were carried out in September, 
1879, the chief points to be ascertained being the comparative rapidity 
of fire, accuracy, and durability of the mechanism of both mitrailleuse 
and gun. 
As in Denmark, the mitrailleuse was found to be more rapid, the 
revolving gun more accurate and far more durable; it was fired with¬ 
out interruption throughout the trials, while one of the transporters 
and two needles of the mitrailleuse were broken, which latter accident 
necessitated ceasing firing. A decision was therefore given in favour 
of the gun. 
France has also adopted the Hotchkiss gnu, in consequence of the 
result of experiments carried out in 1877, which were very similar to 
those of the Danish Government in 1879. The great advantage of its 
explosive projectile was much dwelt upon, it being not only capable of 
piercing the shell of a torpedo boat, but also of inflicting severe loss on 
the crew, as it breaks up on an average into 19 pieces. 
All the above powers have pronounced that both these machine 
guns are adapted for the efficacious protection of ships at close quarters. 
England has adopted the Nordenfelt mitrailleuse; some powers have 
ordered a supply of both. France, Russia, Holland, Denmark, and 
Greece have pronounced in favour of the revolving gun for naval 
