FOR MINIATURE RIFLES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 895, 15 August 1910, Page 10

FOR MINIATURE RIFLES.

INGENIOUS DISAPPEARING TARGET. Hitherto tho man.with the miniaturo rifle, or service rifle fitted 1 with a "Morris" tube, has had to be content to blaze away, at a fixed white disc, so many yards distant, aiid count himself efficient according to the measure o£ success attained in tho perforation of the same. The ingenuity of Lieutenant Harbottle, of the Australian Garrison Artillery, has, howover, devised a surprise target contrivance which, with a minimum of trouble can bo made to present more difficulties and warlike conditions to tho shootist who cherishes the idea that ho will some day annex \the rifle championship of New Zealand. . Lieutenant Harbottle's patent miniature disappearing targed was fitted up at tho Garrison Hail last week, and tho imentor gave an interesting demonstration of the resources of his target machine, in the presence of Lieu.-Colonel A. Bauchop, C.M.G. (Officer Commanding the District), Licu(> Colonel G. P. C. Campbell (Officer Commanding the Garrison Artillery Division), Qaptain G. S. Richardson (Chief Instructor of Artillery), Major P. J. Courtney (Wellington Garrison Artillery), Major Mathieson (Wellington College. Cadets), and many other officers, who manifested a keen interest'in the merits of the in-, vention. Lieut. Harbottle's target, is designed with a view to- introducing to shooting on miniature ranges that class of matchfiring known _as the "Indian Chattio" system, in wh'ich each competitor is represented by a target, and'retires from the competition ivhen his target has been struck by the bullet of an opponent, and to this system has been added- the time exposure principle, in order to encourage rapid and accurate shooting. Head and shoulder figures are hinged steel plates, which, on being struck, fly back, and are retained by spring catches. Tho machine, in addition to being used .for match-firing under the "Chattie" system, may be used for individual practice as an automatically registering target recording six hits, or by two competitors with threo targets each. Tho . mechanism may ■be adapted to provide a moving target by substituting for the large carriage be-fore-described a small carriage carrying a single target only, which may be moved by the means described across-the lino of fire as desired. Tho operator, who is seated behind _the firing" lino, - has two 'levers, one of which controls a sliding shield exposing or concealing the targets; the other imparts a.liberal movement to. the targets,;and is used during practice 6t vary their position, and thus prevent any competitor from obtaining an undue advantage by selecting, a mark on- tho shield or background in line with his target, _ and_ completing his aim before the. shield, is lowered.. This i lever also serves to return the plates to their original position when.practice is concluded.'

. Tho invention was favourably reported upon by the local Military Inventions Board in Tasmania, . and .'■ an exhibition was afterwards given .in Melbourne before members of the Commonwealth Military Board, and a number of other,officers, who all expressed their satisfaction. One officer of tho British service was so taken with the-invention that ho asked for particulars to f»r«aij Vo -the. Imperial authorities in England. The advantages claimed are absolute safety, instruction in rapid, accurate, and intelligent shooting. All competitors being on, the.same terms,, the operator is ablo to vary at will the amount ,of target, exposed, and the period of exposure, so. that competitors inust exercise their' own judgment as to firing.at.small exposures or receiving their ammunition for, easier shots; also as no competitor knows; the length of exposure the necessity for rapid aim becomes evident. The target may bo installed in any drill room, the only requirement, being' a bullet-proof background..

■ After reviewing. tho main points of the device, Mr. Harbottle invited those present to. arrange a practical test of the machine. Two teams were selected, and the target was .subjected to a severe test. The manner in which the whole arrangement appeared to' act drew -from the officers present a. chorus of .approval.