Progress in Science.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 23, 8 December 1909, Page 46

Progress in Science.

An Automatic Non-Kicking Rifle

THE WONDERFUL NEW FIREARM DEVISED BY A SWEDISH INVENTOR—A SIMPLE BUT NOVEL PRINCIPLE — THE MECHANISM OF THE WEAPON AND HOW IT WORKS — ADAPTABILITY TO MILITARY REQUIREMENTS.

THE perfection of a new development in connection with automatic rifles has occasioned considerable interest in European military cin les. Already several of the Powers, including Great Britain and Germany, impressed by the many advantages it possesses in comparison with those at present in vogue, have acquired •weapons which are being subjected to exhaustive practical tests. The new rille has been devised by a inventor, Mr. Sjogren, and

among its many important features which distinguishes it from existing arms of this type, the fact that the •'kick.” ■which occasions so much physical fatigue and bruising of the shoulder, has been practically eliminated is probably the most noteworthy. In evolving the arm, the inventor’ instead of improving upon the existing pattern, has reverted to 'the first principles of rifle design, and has not only succeeded in maintaining simplicity by resorting to a few integral parts, but has- combined therewith solidity of construction so as to render it fully adapted to the rigours of campaigning. REVERTING TO FIRST PRINCIPLES. The invention only affects the breech me< nanism, so that conversion of the present military arms of this type thereto can be easily and cheaply effected. The invention was first applied to sporting guns, and it was its success in this direction, coupled with demands from certain of the Powers for its experimental application to rifles, That has resulted in this latest development. □Tie secret of the Sjogren system is very simple, though rt involves resort to a novel operating principle* As is well known, automatic firearms are operated by two .distinct methods—the one by the direct backward drive of the recoil, and-the other, by. the utilisation of th p gas from the barrel. In these instances the barrel slides bodily backwards towards the stock after firing tinder the energy of the recoil, thereby opening the breech. In the Sjogren rifle, however, the barrel docs not slide; the hreech is locked with absolute security; and an entirely new method, depending only indirectly upon recoil is adopted €o open it. The disengaging motion is indirectly employed, and in such a mnnBrr that rafety and celerity are assured wndcr all and varying conditions. PRACTICAL ELIMINATION OF THE KICK. The Sjogren system is eminently adapted to military requirement* aa teat*

have already strikingly demonstrated. The redution of component parts to the minimum in conjunction with their solid construction militates against derangement very easily, while the entire absence of delicate mechanism of any desciiption renders it adaptable to hard work. Moreover, as the barrel is secured to the action and fore-end in the ordinary way, existing military weapons can easily bis "'averted to the new system, the requisite alterations being entirely confined to the action. It eliminates the

disadvantages arising from recourse to either a sliding barrel or from the dangers of insecure or imperfect fastening of the breech, as well as complete immunity from premature release of the breech.- The marksman is protected from the noxious fumes, since they escape through the barrel instead of by a vent in the breech, which is unavoidably brought near the face as in the present arm, while there is also a noticeable diminution in the heating of the breech action. Furthermore, as friction and heat are reduced to the minimum, a longer life is imparted to all the vital parts of the arm. Owing to integral combustion • of the powder gases, the maximum of their efficiency is obtained, attended with a consequent higher velocity of the charge, which is continuously exerted until the latter has left the muzzle. Owing to the system upon which the functions of the breech is based, the kick is very appreciably neutralised so that no physical exertion has to be expended in counteracting, this action. In cases where protracted firing is urgent, there is thus less possibility of the marksman's accuracy of aim becoming affected as a result of the mental and muscular exertion to preserve the steadiness of his weapon as is now the case, while bruising of the shoulder is entirely eliminated. Again, in operating the gun wasted energy is reduced to the minimum. Another noticeable advantage of the w-capon is the non liability of the parts to become clogged with dirt, or the mechanism jamming, while it can be used as an automatic self-loader, the cartridges being carried in clips each holding five charges, as a single loader or a hand-operated repeater independent of the automatic action. Prematura opening of the breech is absolutely impossible, since no movement in tha breech-lock can be effected until the bullet has left the barrel, so that perfectly safe handling under all circumstances is assured. Instantaneous ignition of the Cartridge is afforded by the short striker

travel, while should a misfire occur, the special cocking piece cocks the arm as well as indirectly locking the tenons, the outer sleeve, and firing-pin. The total weight of the weapon without bayonet is 8} pounds, and initial velocity of bullet 2200 feet per second. The standard calibre of the arm is 7.03 millimetres, but barrels of any calibre can be adapted to the sytem. The invention marks a new departure in the principal of small-arm design as the inventor has evolved the weapon upon original lines, the efficiency of which has already been demonstrated.

Popularity of the Aquarium. That the New York Aquarium is certainly meeting with public approval would follow from the remarkable attendance in July, 1909. During that month 528,266 persons passed .through the turnstile—an average of 17,040 per day. Up to August 2,1909, the total attendance was 2,006,919.

The South Pole. Ca.pt. Rowland V. Webster, F.R.G.S., is to bead an expedition of the Royal Geographic Society to the South Pole. He expects to employ an aeroplane or some form of flying machine in making the final dash, and to follow the route taken by the German expedition a few years ago.

Sturgeon for America. An effort is to be made to stock the Hudson River as well a.s other northern rivers of the United States with sturgeon, a fish that once swarmed in their waters, but which has since been exterminated. The proposal comes from Mr. Horace G. Knowles, formerly American Minister to the Balkan States. Through Mr. Knowles’ efforts the Roumanian government has promised a , cart-toad of sturgeon fry, some cans of young sterlet, and smaller food fish to populate the waters. The native sturgeon have been all but exterminated by wastefulness<s> <-> <•>

A long-distance telephone service with four lines is expected to be opened next year between London, Pal is, Madrid, Barcelona. and San Sebastian.

Electric Dressmaking. A dressmaking establishment in Roetow almost entirely operated by electricity, has an electric cutter capable of cutting out 250 thicknesses of cloth at once, S button-sewing machine which puts cw 3000 buttons a day, a buttonhole machine making 400 per hour, sleeve sewers, tucks ing machines, waist and skirt machine! making 1800 to 3500 stitches a minute.

A Record Torpedo Shot. What is claimed to be the record torpedo shot of the American Navy was made during the recent manoeuvres of the Atlantic fleet off Provincetown, when ths submarine Cuttlefish, selecting the battleship Vermont for attack, fired a torpedo, at a range of 3800 yards, hitting the Vermont squarely amidship.

Au Electric Lawn Mower. A successful electric lawn mower, taking power from any convenient source by means of a flexible cable, has been invented by Mr F. H. Kerr, of Chicago. He is building an improved type of machine capable of operating ploughs, harrows, drills, and seeders for gardens and small farms.

According to the ‘'Times” (London)', the Canadian-Pacific railway will grant the use of its right-of-way for a special wire forming the connecting link between the Atlantic and Pacific cables of the proposed all-British round-the-world system.