Obturating Primers. The trial of obturating primers for cannon has been continued this year, and a satisfactory primer, both friction and electric, has been obtained. The primer with an interrupted screw head was found to answer well for large guns, but its size precludes its use with small calibers. Accordingly a new primer of smaller dimensions with a full screw on the head was tried and with satisfactory results, using either brass or steel for the body of the primer. A description of the primers is contained in Appendix 28. Tests of Frictional Resistance due to Shrinkage. The Department has completed a very interesting series of experiments this year at the Watertown Arsenal, having for their object the determination of the resistance offered by friction, due to shrinkage, to longitudinal movement between the surfaces of contact of cylinders, as well as the ratio which such resistance bears to the normal pressure exerted by the shrinkage. Two sections of an 8-inch gun hoop, having the same diameters but being of different lengths, were first shrunk on steel cylinders with the same shrinkage. The hoops were then pushed off by pressure applied by means of the testing machine. A second set of hoops was then assembled under an equal, but considerably higher shrinkage, and the operation of removal by the testing machine repeated. From the data derived from these experiments some useful practical deductions have been made touching the longitudinal assistance to be derived from hoops, &c., and the efficacy of the grip, due to shrinkage, exerted on an inner tube by its enveloping jacket, hooped or otherwise, to prevent separation in firing. The completed report on these experiments is not in readiness to be incorporated in this annual report but is in course of preparation for early publication. STEEL SIEGE GUNS.-Experimental 5-inch B. L. Rifle. Work has progressed on this gun during the year, at Watertown Arsenal. All the forgings, except the jacket, have been delivered. In the production of the forging for the jacket there has been unusual and unexpected delay, for its size is such as to bring it easily within the manufacturing facilities of the Midvale Steel Company. Several attempts, however, proved failures, but it is now expected that a satisfactory forging will be delivered not later than November. A carriage has been designed for this gun by Capt. Charles Shaler, Ordnance Department, which is being constructed at the Springfield Armory under the supervision of Colonel Buffington. Experimental 7-inch B. L. R. Howitzer. This piece was designed by the Ordnance Board, (Appendix 14), and a contract was made with the Cambria Iron Works for furnishing all the forgings required for its construction. The qualities specified for this steel were the same as for the 5-inch siege rifle, viz: After the satisfactory results obtained with the experimental steel 3.2-inch B. L. rifle, the Department, last year, contracted with the Midvale Steel Company for the delivery of complete sets of forgings for twenty-five similar guns. Five of the guns were placed under manufacture at the Watertown Arsenal, and the remainder were awarded to the West Point Foundry Association, they being the lowest bidders for the work. It was expected that these guns would be completed by the early spring, but delay in the delivery of the forgings has occasioned a like delay in completing the guns. A number of the guns are, however, already finished, and it is expected that the whole lot will be completed by the end of November. The experimental metal field carriage made for these 3.2-inch guns failed on trial, owing, it is believed, in part to defective metal, and in part to some defect in workmanship, or to structural weakness. A new carriage is, however, about completed, and will be subjected to trial as soon as received at the Proving Ground.* FIELD GUN CARRIAGES. The Department in its annual estimates for this year, has asked for a liberal appropriation for the construction of field gun carriages. It has on hand about 500 serviceable 3-inch wrought iron M. L. rifles, and has also to provide carriages for the new steel guns. The old wooden car Since writing the above the new field carriage has been received at the Proving Ground and subjected to a most satisfactory test. The carriage is of simple, not compound construction, and is made of mild steel,—the cheek plates being double, with curved flanges above and below. It is fitted with the spring brakes for checking recoil and the flanged axle for securing stiffness that have been already successfully tested in a previous carriage. The new carriage weighs only 1,300 pounds, and is graceful in its outlines. It was tested by firing 500 rounds from the 3.2-inch steel field gun, of less than 800 pounds weight, using charges of 34 pounds, with a projectile of 13 pounds, having a velocity of over 1,700 feet. During the firing, the carriage rested on elastic planks, in heavy sand, and various angles of elevation up to the maximum were used, and charges that gave over 35,000 pounds pressure per square inch of chamber, and it has come out of this severe ordeal in almost perfect condition. This carriage, with its accessories, was designed by Lient. Cel. Buffington, of the Ordnance Department, and the Department has now placed the manufacture of the 25 carriages for issue with the new steel field guns, in Colonel Buffington's hands, at the National Armory. riages, made years since for the wrought iron guns, have so deteriorated, notwithstanding the repairs made upon them from time to time, that at present it may be said that we have no serviceable carriages for issue with those guns. The metal carriages designed for the new steel guns will serve for the wrought iron guns as well, and the wrought iron can be replaced by the steel guns as the manufacture of the latter progresses. An alternative policy would be the reconstruction of a number of wooden carriages but such carriages would be useless for the service of the new guns, and would become obsolete so soon as the old guns were replaced by the new. The needs of the service in respect to a supply of carriages for the field artillery are most pressing and the appropriation asked for is earnestly recommended. PACKING OUTFIT FOR HOTCHKISS MOUNTAIN GUN. The packing of the Hotchkiss mountain gun, carriage and ammunition was made the subject of careful study and experiment during the year 1885 by Lieutenant Colonel Flagler, Ordnance Department. Colonel Flagler having submitted the results of his investigations, with detailed drawings of his proposed outfit, in a report to this Office (Appendix 31) the Department directed the manufacture of ten complete sets for issue to troops and practical trial in the field. The salient features of Colonel Flagler's outfit are: a permanent pack saddle instead of an aparejo; the substitution, for the heavy ungainly shafts used in single draft, of a light pole splinter-bar, pole, yoke and breast harness, for double draft, which are readily packed, weigh 30 pounds less than the shafts and shaft harness, and do not entail any addition to the number of draft animals now required; packing the ammunition in a number of small boxes, convenient for the supply of ammunition and for packing, and sufficiently cheap to admit of their being thrown away after being emptied. It is believed that this outfit, if it does not prove an entirely satisfactory solution of a somewhat vexing problem, will at least largely clear the way towards such solution. RUSSELL'S HYDRAULIC BUFFERS. Capt. A. H. Russell, Ordnance Department, has submitted a brief history of the hydraulic buffer, with valved piston-head, for overcoming recoil of guns, invented by him. (Appendix 33.) Captain Russell claims that this buffer is identical in principle with that patented in this country as well as in England, some years subsequent to the ap pearance of his invention, by J. Vavasseur, and that therefore the latter has no valid claim against the United States for the use of the Vavasseur system, so far as it is covered by the Russell invention. Captain Russell has no pecuniary interest in the question, but simply desires to secure professional recognition for his invention and immunity to the Government in using the Vavasseur patent. I have the honor to submit the following papers, heretofore referred to: Appendix 1.-Statement of principal articles procured by fabrication during the year ended June 30, 1886. Appendix 2.-Statement of principal articles procured by purchase during the year ended June 30, 1886. Appendix 3.-Statement of ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., issued to the military establishment, including the national homes for soldiers of the volunteer and regular Army, and exclusive of the militia during the year ended June 30, 1886. Appendix 4.-Apportionment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, of the annual appropriation of $200,000 for arming and equipping the militia, under sections 1661 and 1667, Revised Statutes. Appendix 5.-Statement of ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., distributed to the militia from July 1, 1885, to June 30, 1886, under section 1967, Revised Statutes. Appendix 6.-Statement of arms, ammunition, &c., distributed to the Territories and States bordering thereon, from July 1, 1885, to June 30, 1886, under the joint resolutions of July 3, 1876, March 3, 1877, and June 7, 1878, and the act of May 16, 1878. Appendix 7.-Statement of ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., distributea to colleges from July 1, 1885, to June 30, 1886, under section 1225, Revised Statutes. Appendix 8.-Showing the stations and duties of the officers of the Ordnance Department. REPORTS OF THE BOARD FOR TESTING RIFLED CANNON, ETC., APPOINTED UNDER THE ACT OF JULY 5, 1884. Appendix 9.—Report on Yates B. L. rifle. (5 plates .) Appendix 10.-Progress report on trial of 12-inch B. L. rifle, cast iron. (1 plate.) Appendix 11.-Progress report on trial of 12-inch M. L. rifled mortar. REPORTS OF THE ORDNANCE BOARD, Appendix 12.-Powlett pneumatic gun carriage. (1 plate.) Appendix 13.—Trial of 8-inch banded projectiles, experimental. (7 plates.) Appendix 14.-Design for 7-inch siege howitzer. (2 plates.) Appendix 16.-Trial of steel and wooden ammunition chests. (6 plates.) CONSTRUCTION OF ORDNANCE. Appendix 17.-Construction report of 8-inch B. L. rifle, steel. Appendix 20.-Construction report of 8 and 10 inch proof carriage. (4 plates.) Appendix 21.-Manufacture of 12-inch projectiles. (1 plate.) Appendix 22.-Annual report of Inspector of Ordnance, South Boston Iron Works. (9 plates.) Appendix 23.-Annual report of Inspector of Ordnance at Midvale Steel Works. Appendix 24.-Annual report of Inspector of Ordnance at Cambria Iron Works. Appendix 25.-Progress report on construction of 10-inch B. L. rifle, cast iron, wire wound. (3 plates.) Appendix 26.-Report on an experimental forged trunnion hoop. Appendix 27.-Report on longitudinal strength of steel gun hoops. (1 plate.) Appendix 28.-Report on obturating friction and electric primers. (1 plate.) Appendix 29.-Progress report on powders. Appendix 30.-Report on fabrication of 3.2-inch steel field guns at Watertown Arsenal. MISCELLANEOUS. Appendix 31.-Report on packing outfit for Hotchkiss mountain gun. (17 plates.) Appendix 32.-Report of principal operations at Cheyenne Ordnance Depot during year ending June 30, 1886. Appendix 33.-Russell's hydraulic buffer. (2 plates.) Appendix 35.-Summary of reports on magazine guns issued for trial in service, &c. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To the honorable SECRETARY OF WAR. |