312 NEW FIELD CARRIAGE (IRON) FOR LONG-RANGE GUNS. 
65 f.s. more at 5000 yds,; in fact, the 15-pr. has practically the same 
velocity at 5000 yds. as the 12-pr. has at 4000 yds. 
Supposing, then, the total weight behind the team to be 35 cwt.—- 
which is rather less than the present German light field gun (for horse 
artillery only)—we can sum up the weights as follows ; 
cwt.qrs.lbs. 
Gun. 7 0 0 
Carriage . 10 2 0 
Limber. 9 2 0 
Stores . 1 0 0 
Ammunition . 6 2 12 (40 rounds, 18*5 lbs. each.) 
Total. 34 2 12 
This leaves us still 44 lbs. within our limit. Fuzes and small stores 
would bring this up. 40 rounds is quite as much as is carried by the 
light guns of most other powers. 
The question therefore stands thus. Is it worth while sacrificing 
velocity at all ranges, flatness of trajectory, shell power, and—more 
than all—bullet capacity, either to reduce the weight by 130 lbs. at the 
utmost (as each 12-pr. round will weigh 15 lbs.), or, retaining the 
above weight, to carry 48 rounds of 12-pr. in place of 40 15-pr.? 
The answer certainly appears to be “No \” 
We must remember that individual power of the guns renders 
their self-defensive power, and therefore their capability for more 
independent action, the greater; and it is only by increasing to the 
utmost limit this individual power that we can hope to see future 
artillery take that prominent position on the field of battle that all 
artillerymen should hope and expect it to do. 
Finally, it must never be forgotten that the best guns ever issued 
from an arsenal are of no avail, but rather an incumbrance to the army 
that possesses them, unless all ranks responsible for their service are 
so thoroughly conversant with their use under the ever-varying con¬ 
ditions of warfare that it almost becomes a second nature to them. No 
labour or time should be grudged to attain this most essential object. 
Possessing such ordnance, and with those who manoeuvre and work 
them trained to a corresponding pitch of excellence, it is surely not too 
much to expect that artillery in future campaigns will accomplish 
results hitherto almost unthought of. 
Limekick, 
September 21, 1877. 
