4 
(13.) Various critics have doubted the possibility of using gun steel up to an 
elastic limit of 25 tons per square inch. 
The French Canet quick-firing guns are now (1892) made of steel to the 
following specification : 
Elastic limit 25°5 tons, breaking strain 43°8 tons, extension 16 per cent. 
This steel is made at St. Etenne, Firming and Havre. 
For the experiments at Obuchoff, the Russian Government have ordered a 4-pr. 
gun with an 4 tube up to 26°7 tons elastic limit. 
(14.) Regarding the possibility of making a gun to stand the premature burst 
of a high explosive shell without flying to. pieces, General Wille cites the following 
experiments of Krupp’s, carried out 14th October, 1892 : 
A shell containing about 4 lb. of picric acid was exploded in a 3} inch gun of 
ordinary steel at 1 foot from the muzzle. The muzzle was cut clean off and the 
metal round the shell blown into small pieces. The same‘experiment was then re- 
peated in a similar gun of nickel-steel. The result wasa bulge of °3 inch at the 
point of explosion. “No crack could be detected. A second picric acid shell was 
then burst in the chamber of the same gun, causing a bulge of °37 inch and a 
hair crack 8 inches long. In neither case was any portion of the steel separated. 
(15.) The process of hardening (not tempering) high steel in melted: lead is 
said to have given good results. Comparative trials shew an improvement on the 
oil-hardening process of 6°6 per cent. elastic limit, 11°8 per cent. breaking train 
and extension no less than 38°4 per cent. 
(16.) The Swiss Government have just given notice of a competitive trial for 
the selection of the new field gun for their army. ‘The conditions laid down are: 
Calibre—2°76" to 3°3”. 
Density—To be as high as practicable. 
Muzzle velocity—With partly arrested recoil, not under 1640 f.s. 
*; With completely 3 35 1500 
Breech action—Quick-firing. 
Obturation—By means of a metallic cartridge. 
Buffer and brake—So far as possible to arrest the recoil that the gun 
has not to be laid afresh. 
Number of rounds carried—36 to 40 in the limber for the 3:3” gun, 
or more for smaller calibres. 
Weight, marching order, without detachment—not over 354 cwt. for 
the 3:3” gun. 
General Wille remarks: I do not believe it possible to completly arrest recoil 
with a muzzle velocity of 1500 f.s., and a shell of respectable weight. 
So far, however, as regards the gun with partly arrested recoil, the conditions 
seem very fair. 
(17.) The Russian Government have ordered 3 quick-firing field guns, and 
intend to carry out a competitive test between them. 
These are: A 3°13” quick-firing from Griison. 
yy DOB a » Nordenfeldt. 
1) Oe ap 5, St. Chamond. 
"A varied and thorough trial is to be carried out, and the successful eun must 
possess good ballistics ‘and the practical. qualities of a serviceable field gun. 
General Wille, as beforesaid, objects on principle to quick-firing field guns. 
(18.) It is not stated whether the Nordenfeldt 2°95” quick-firing ordered 
