532 
GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 
improved Weapons of this nature have been much improved since 1870, and 
smce 1870 . ppg Gratling* of latest pattern seems, as far as we know at present, to be 
the best form. 
Cartridge. The attempts to utilise the infantry cartridge have not, as yet, been 
a success, and it does not seem, although facilitating the supply of 
increase of ammunition, that it would be a good arrangement. The calibre of the 
bullet! ° f small Gatling is # 45—the same as the Martini rifle—but it would appear 
advisable, in order to give it a decided superiority over infantry, to 
increase the weight of the bullet from 480 to, say, 600 grains, and at 
the same time to increase the powder charge, so as to give the heavier 
bullet a muzzle velocity of 1450 to 1500 f.s. We believe this could 
be done without increasing the weight of the present small Gatling. 
The comparative velocities are shown below 
Gun. 
Range, 
Range, 
500 yds. 
1000 yds. 
f.s. 
f.s. 
Present . 
867 
682 
Proposed ... 
960 
771 
The penetration, with equal velocities, would of course be greater in 
the case of the heavier bullet. 
We should thus obtain a decided superiority in range and flatness of 
trajectory over infantry, against whom this weapon would chiefly be 
used. 
Proportion The question now arises as to what proportion and what organisation 
and place. p e st develop the power of the mitraiileur with the least corres¬ 
ponding disadvantages. 
We should advocate attaching one Gatling to each battery of 
artillery, though in doing so we know that there exists a strong opinion 
against this course. Placing Gatlings ‘in separate batteries would 
undoubtedly lead to their attempting to engage artillery at long 
ranges, wben tbey would be pretty sure to be silenced. Moreover, the 
difficulty of seeing the effect of a mitraiileur renders an exact know¬ 
ledge of tbe range essential. Combined in the same battery with 
artillery, tbe bursts of the latter’s shells would indicate this to a great 
extent, but in Gatling batteries only this would not be the case. 
Special The special purposes of this weapon would be :—• 
purposes. 1 
1st. To keep down the fire of any hostile skirmishers who might 
creep up within range and cause annoyance and loss to the battery. 
The importance of this service is manifest, more especially as this 
appears to be the sort of attack to which guns are most liable; direct 
attacks over open ground against a well posted and well served artillery 
firing shrapnel appearing to be pretty nearly desperate. 
2nd. To aid in repulsing such an attack if made. Its effect in this 
way would be very important. If, as we hope will be the case, bullet¬ 
proof shields are adopted for field guns, the attack of hostile 
