NEW MACHINE GUN
A BRITISH EXPERIMENT LONDON, March 30. A new one-man machine gun, which is self-loading and capable of firing. 35 shots a minute, it is understood, is being experimented with by the British war office, and. if eventually adopted, is likely to have an important influence on battle tactics in the future. The new gun weighs only one-half pound more than the present standard army rifle, but it is said to he an infinitely more effective weapon. In addition to firing at more than double the rate of the present rifle it is understood to enable more accurate shooting, because the action Jboifig automatic the soldier is given more time to aim. Further, there is less recoil. It can bo fired from the shoulder and can be, set for semi-automatic or full automatic firing. The new weapon is based on a design of General John Thompson, of the United States Army, but tlio original design is understood to have been considerably improved by the Birmingham Small Anns Co., who have been experimenting with it for two years.
One problem that lias yet- to be worked out is that of the maintenance of sufficient supplies of ammunition for the soldier, but it is probable that this will be solved in the same way it was when machine guns were introduced.
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Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16949, 13 May 1929, Page 11
Word Count
221NEW MACHINE GUN Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16949, 13 May 1929, Page 11
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