THE SHORT RIFLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9194, 25 March 1908, Page 3

THE SHORT RIFLE.

ISSUED IN CHRIST€HURCH. The "new" short Lee-Enfield rifle, or, as it has been called, the " Roberts" rifle, was issued by the Defence authorities' in | Christchurch to the mounted infantry corps on Monday. The rifle was designed as the result of Lord Roberta's suggestion to arm all ranks, with a uniform weapon, and it forms an interesting compromise between the long infantry rifle and the cavalry carbine. It is, moreover, claimed to be a shooting arm of notable accuracy, for, counteracting any loss due to shortening the barrel, the muzzle relocity hag been, increased to 2300 ft per second, as compared with 2000 ft per second in the long Lee Enfield rifle. The barrel is about 25in long, and has a twist of one turn in ten inches. The ammunition used is the 6ame as that for the long .303 service weapon. There are several important differences between the new rifle and the old. The barrel is fully clothed with wood right to the muzzle, which carries a solid metal fitting to hold the bayonet. The fore-eight is hooded on both sides by extensions of this fitting, curving over till they almost meet at the top. The sight is thus protected from abrasion, and also to a considerable extent is shielded from brilliant light, while the hood, not being complete at the top, does not prevent the object aimed* at being quickly picked up. The back-sight presents the most striking change. The ladder form has been completely departed from, and there is a heavy bar, some three inches long, hinged to the top of the barrelj projecting towards the rear. At the end it carries a short cross-bar^ notched for sighting, and at all angles *of elevation presenting a fine edge to the top. This bar will move cro§s-wise, and is fitted with a screw motion and vernier, 1 for side-allowance. The bar/ is raised for various ranges by sliding a cross-piece towards the hinge. A ramp raises the bar more and more, and the slidingpiece .is fixed positively by notches for each hundred yards and intermediate ranges are secured by elevating the knife-edge, in relation to the bar of the sight, by means of another screw and a email graduated scale. The sight has been subjected to some criticism. In the first place, the higher it is raised, the nearer the cross-piece is to the hinge, and the longer and higher the unsupported portion of the sight, so that rough handling would apparently endanger it. Another point suggested is that, owing to the shape of the back sight and the various projections of the breech mechanism behind it, it is not easy at a glance to be sure the rifle is not canted sideways. The peep-sight and revolving foresight fitted to the long rifle for extreme ranges is retained. In the breech mechanism tnere are modifications, among which is the omission of the plate covering the bolt. A 'change regarded as of considerable importance by riflemen is the nature of the pull. Instead of a positive pull, there is a "drag" of some distance, the finger experiencing a slight resistance while the trigger comes back, till, at a certain point, the pull is checked, and additional force fires the rifle. Those used to the positive pull speak of the " drag" as disconcerting, but it is said that it is easy to become accustomed to it. It is also claimed that the "drag" is really a safety device, since, if the trigger is unintentionally pulled, its movement gives warning in time before the rifle goes off. The magazine loads from a clip,., instead of i by single cartridges. The new weapon is about a pound lighter than. the. long rifle, and is described as more economical in construction. Its appearance is " nobbly," and it has abundant corners, such as promise some discomfort till those who have to use it have learned to conform their drill to its peculiarities.