OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 27

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

A SEW BEPEATING RIFLE.

Whilst the question of repeating rifles has lately been complicated by that of their calibre, another magazine arm has been added to those already before the public. • The inventor of the new weapon is Herr Joseph Schulhof, of Vienna, who is well known in his own country as one of the best marksmen in pistol practice, besides being a manufacturer of small arms. At the outbreak of the war between China and France, Hen* Schulhof supplied a large number of rifles to the Chinese, the contract being negotiated by Li-Fong-Pao, the former Chinese ambassador at Berlin. Herr Schulhof has spent some time in perfecting his new rifle, and appears to have achieved success. The trial of the new weapon took place recently at a rifle range at Vienna, about 150 Austrian and foreign officers being present. The inventor succeeded in firing his rifle, the magazine being closed, 24 times in a minute. Afterwards he changed it into a repeating arm by touching a spring which opens the magazine, when he fired off 52 shots in a minute, including loading. The magazine holds 10 cartridges, and these were fired in five seconds ; whilst in loading — i.e., filling the magazine — sis seconds were consumed. This would make thp. time for loading and firing 52 shots about 80 seconds, and not a minute as stated. But the result obtained was nevertheless remarkable, and exceeded any- . thing yet known. The officers present were unanimous in declaring the new repeater to be the most perfect arm they had yet seen. Its simple construction, easy handling, , and reliable action were much commented upon. — Iron.

A comparative trial of Auckland and imported (Kynooh's) ammunition took place at supervision of Colonel Bailey. The shooting was very bad, partly owing to a gusty wind blowing across the range, and to the bad light. The scores with both kinds were nearly equal at 200 yds. Colonel Bailey made 18 with Auckland and 20 with English ammunition, and Sergt.-major Sinclair 19 with Auckland and 20 with English. At 500 yds Colonel Bsfley mad© 42 with Auckland

and- 10 with English, Sinclair s 'with' with Auckland and 9 with English. Captain Francis and Sergeant Smith also fired. Their scores were smaller, but the proportion was about the same, except that at 500yd 8. Smith only made' one hit with Auckland ammunition. ' In the rapid-firing test at 200yds' Major Wolfe fired 10 rounds of Auckland ammunition in lmin 51|sec,' making nine hits, and 10 English in lmin 17sec, with eight hits. Colonel Bailey fired 10 rounds Auckland in lmin 42£ sec (all hits), and 10 English in lmin 24sec (8 hits). None of the Auckland cartridges were difficult to extract, though a few times some trifliug delay was caused in opening the breech block after the firing, owing to the defective quality of the caps. Colonels Lean and Tosswill, with several other officers, were present, and expressed themselves satisfied with the colonial ammunition.

V An examination of volunteer officers holding acting rank commenced on Friday last in the Gaiyison Hall, and was concluded on Monday. It ia necessary that this examination should be passed before the rank of the officers is confirmed, an,d there are 14 candidates to pass- as captains or lieutenants. The candidates are examined in squad, company, and battalion drill, discipline, musketry, and rifle excercise, and regarding the duties of guards and sentries. The papers will be sent to the Council of Military Education at Wellington, so that the result of the examinations will not be known for some time.