Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 16.djvu/800

* B APHIDES. 706 EAPID-FIRE GUNS. ocot.vledons, such as Amaryllis, Crinum, Xar- cissuo, aud Hyacinthus. RAP'IDAN. A small river of Virginia, tribu- tary of tlie Rappahannock (q.v.), which it joins 10 miles above Fredericksburg. KAPID-FIEE GUNS. Cannon for firing at moving objects and for delivering a heavy fire at critical periods of an engagement. The de- sired rapidity of fire is obtained by using fixed ammunition;' that is, ammunition in which the projectile and charge are put up in one piece. After the limit of size for machine-gun action had been reached the advantages of rapid fire to guns of calibres large enough to be effective against torpedo boats was appreciated, and .3-pounders, and then ti-pounders were made by Hotchkiss and Nordenfelt, with one barrel and worked by hand, but with quick-opening mechanism and fixed ammunition. This movement progressed and de- veloped to a remarkable extent between 18'JO and 1900, heavier and heavier guns being required as torpedo boats increased in size and protection to their boilers (by coal, etc.) — the limit being the weight of charge conveniently handled as one piece, about 5 inches calibre. The development of rapid-fire guns may be said to date from toward the end of the year 1881, wlven the British Admiralty advertised for designs of a gun that should fulfill the follow- ing requirements, viz: The weight of the gun aud mount not to exceed ten hundredweight (1120 pounds) ; the projectile to weigh G pounds and have a muzzle velocity of not less than 1800 feet per second; the projectile and powder to be made up in one cartridge; the service of the gun to require not more than three men; under the above-mentioned conditions, the gun to be capable HOTCHKISS RAPID-FIRING GUN. (American Ordnance Company Tjpe.) Breech Mechanism— vertical section. A, groove in which crank stud works as the block moves up and down when the crank is turned; B, hammer; C, lug which transmits jpressure of main spring to hammer; 1>. stop bolt(onleft side of gun— keeps tilock from falling out); E, guide slot in wliicU works lug (P) on e.iitraetor; F, bore of gun; G, main spring; H. guide-bolt slot ; J. crank; K, crank handle ; L, I)ivot of sear; M, sear; N, extractor; O, extractor slot in left face of the housing of the breech ; P, extractor lug which travels in slot E ; Q. stop bolt ; R, rocking shaft on which is the cocking toe; .S, breech block ; T. face plate; U, mainspring ca»a; V, sear spring ; W, cocking cam. HOTCHKISS 6-POrNDEH WITH DECK MOUNT.