PRECIS 
AND 
Pgs aL INT Sl; va ee MO) IN 
\ 
“JOURNAL DE GENEVE.” 
THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICITY ON THE FLIGHT 
OF PROJECTILES. 
BY 
CAPTAIN W. C. HUNTER-BLAIR, R.A. 
Tue Committee of the Federal Shooting Association made a curious discovery 
lately in tabulating certain results of shooting. It observed that on the range at 
Winterthour the majority of shots fired at the targets on the right of the range 
struck to the right of the bulls-eye, while on the targets on the left of the range 
the greater number of hits were to the left of the bulls-eye. It was further dis- 
covered that all the projectiles constructed either partly or wholly of steel had 
become magnetized during flight. 
The Federal Experimental Committee having had these facts brought to their 
notice, thought that possibly they might have some connection with the existence 
of the numerous wires used for electric bells and telephones on either side of the 
range. Several additional experiments were made on other ranges, and the results 
fully bore out this theory. 
An electric current of 8000 volts was installed on the range at Thun by means 
of four 18 ™™ cables laid parallel to the line of fire and 40™ from it. In order to 
define the trajectory, screens of thin paper were fixed at every 10™ along the 
range. 
The first trials were made with the 1889 pattern rifle. The influence of the 
electric current made itself felt at once; at 260 ™ the lateral deviation was already 
24™, The trajectory showed a very remarkable curve towards the electric 
current. 
A second trial was made with the Japanese gun of 3:°3™™ invented by Colonel 
Yamagata. The minute bullet went straight for the electric wires, broke two 
insulators, and followed along the wires, finally wearing out its energy with the 
friction. 
Experiments were then made with artillery. The results obtained were no less 
startling. ‘The range was 3000™, and the electric current was installed as before 
commencing at 2800, z.c. 200™ in front of the target. The lateral deviation of 
the shell (common) was 14°. Firing with shrapnel produced even more curious 
phenomena. The head of the projectile, carrying the fuze made of a non-magnetic 
10. von. XXIII. 
