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 5. It should be in constant readiness for action, and able when limbered up to open fire in less than thirty seconds.

6. It should be simple, strong, and durable. Mobility and constant readiness for action are indispensable with cavalry, while lightness and smallness of target are essential factors.

There are eight main types of machine guns at present in use in the armies of the world, viz.:

Gun. In use in Maxim            Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Switzerland, and U.S.A. Hotchkiss        France, Japan, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal. Perino           Italy. Puteaux          France. Schwarzlose      Austria. Skoda            Japan and China. Madsen           Russia, Denmark (Rekyl pattern), and China (for cavalry). Colt             By several countries in addition to adopted gun.

The principal differences between these guns are: (a) The automatic mechanism. (b) Method of loading.

(a) may be divided into two classes: 1. Recoil action—the Maxim, Perino, and the Madsen. 2. Gas-pressure action—the Schwarzlose, Hotchkiss, Skoda, and Colt.

(b) consists of three classes: 1. Belt loaders—the Maxim, Schwarzlose, and Colt. 2. ''Metal clip loaders''—Hotchkiss, Madsen, Perino, and Puteaux. 3. Hopper loaders—the Skoda.

Several of the above countries—notably