Chapter 193 Production Line

Engineers are experimenting with weapons at the Bohemian Holdas Arsenal. Twenty experimenters raised their guns at the same time and shot at the shooting range ahead.

After a while of gunshots, weapon designer Holman Stellen stepped forward to take a look, calculated the parameters as quickly as possible, and said with satisfaction, "It's qualified."

The parameters are as follows:

Caliber: 7.92mm

Weight: 4.2kg

Length: 1417mm

Barrel Length: 920mm

Ammo: Paper Acorn Bullets

Filling method: after loading

Rate of fire: 12-15 rounds

Muzzle velocity: 410 m/s

Effective range: 650 meters

Maximum range: 1512 meters

Ammunition: single-shot ammunition

Holdas, the director of the arsenal, walked over with a smile and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Stellen, you have designed another excellent rifle.

This rifle is very good, it allows the soldier to reload while lying down, crawling, and the accuracy of close range shooting is better than most rifles.

I heard that the Prussians have changed their outfits on a large scale. We have also bought a few of their rifles, and their performance is not as good as ours. "

Holman-Stellen said calmly: "Mr. Holdas, this is just a laboratory product, and whether it can be produced on a large scale is still unknown.

In fact, there have been quite a few advanced firearms manufactured in our laboratory over the years, but very few have the value of installation due to the cost of production.

For example, the last 1850 series rifle has much better performance than this in all aspects. Because of the production cost, we had to reluctantly give up. "

As a weapon design expert, the first thing you have to learn is to let go. The more advanced the weapon is, the better, and the overall cost is also considered.

From the design point of view, it is a rifle that is a hundred years later. It can be designed now. Whether it can be produced or not is an unknown.

Holman-Stellen is used to it. More than 95% of the weapons he designs lie in the laboratory. Although this rifle is good, it is still unknown whether it can be installed in the Austrian army.

Holdas said optimistically: "It doesn't matter, the war in the Near East is raging now, we can sell it to the Principality of Montenegro for trial, as long as it proves the excellence of this rifle in actual combat, it is impossible for the military to refuse it.

From a technical point of view, this rifle has much lower requirements than the 1850 series. I can preliminarily judge that the production cost of this rifle will not be much higher than the current rifle. "

It can't be said that His Majesty the Emperor ordered to design a breech rifle suitable for the Austrian army, right?

Now almost every Austrian arsenal has taken out sample guns. At present, more than a dozen breech rifles have appeared on the shooting range in the palace. Judging from experience, Holdas believes that this rifle is very likely to win. big.

Cheap, easy to operate, and stable performance are the advantages of this rifle. The only disadvantage is that the lethality is slightly lower, but the precise hit rate and the advantage of being able to get down and reload can still make up for this.

Now there is only one last link of actual combat, and the Near East War is a good opportunity.

After the outbreak of the war, the Principality of Montenegro has relied on Austria's logistical supply. For the convenience of supply, it has completely replaced the Arcane weapons, and now it has become a testing ground for Austrian weapons.

The Austrian military has also sent weapon observers to collect actual combat parameters of various weapons as an important reference factor for the future refitting of the troops.

Holman-Styron said seriously: "Well, Mr. Holdas. You arrange as soon as possible, this time I will personally lead the team to collect information on the battlefield."

"No! It's too dangerous on the battlefield. You are the best weapon design expert in Austria, so you can't take risks." Holdas said excitedly

Holman-Stellen smiled and said: "Don't worry, the Montenegrins will keep us safe, if you are worried, you can also apply for an escort from the military.

The danger is only relative, if God wants to take me away, even if I stay in the country, there will be accidents. "

...

Schönbrunn Palace, the new rifle of the Hordas Arsenal has appeared on the shooting range, and Franz skillfully completed the loading and shooting.

Maybe because of his talent, his shooting skills are really embarrassing to see people. A fixed target within 100 meters, to not miss the target is God's blessing.

Franz has always believed that this is because the performance of the rifle is not good, and the recoil is too strong, causing the bullet to miss the target. The proof is that the bullet kill rate calculated after each war is thousands or tens of thousands of bullets to kill an enemy.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

After the gunshots ended, Franz's face suddenly turned green, and he actually hit the target next door. No one has the ability to miss the target.

A puff sounded, and the little guys laughed gleefully. Franz glanced over and found the culprit.

"Is it so funny, isn't it just that the bullet missed the target, what's so strange?"

Franz's power has been accumulating for a long time, and the three younger brothers and two cousins ​​have resisted it, looking at that expression is really cute.

After suppressing the ridicule of a few little guys, Franz said with a smile, "Come here and try, and keep your distance."

They have never played with these rifles. If they are used as front-loaded rifles, you can see from Franz's performance just now. The bullet can be deflected by more than ten meters.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

A series of gunshots rang out, and he glanced at the target from a distance. Franz rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Are they all in demand?

Facts have proved that he thinks too much, everyone's hit rate is not good, and it is a master who can keep bullets on the target.

"Cousin Franz, you are still number one!" Princess Sissi exclaimed

Franz glared at him, and he decided to turn back to increase her etiquette class time. He really didn't understand the rules.

Is it necessary to say something so obvious? You must know that the youngest who participated in the shooting is only ten years old. Where does this make Franz save face?

"Elizabeth, pay attention to the image!" Her sister Princess Helen reminded

"What happened?" Queen Sophie's voice came from afar

Seeing Franz's ugly face, no one answered the question. Looking at everyone's wanting to laugh and holding back, and glancing at the targets on the field, the Queen Mother Sophie burst out laughing.

While smiling, he pointed at Franz and said, "Yes, there has been progress. Franz, you finally broke the record of the fifth ring."

At this time, everyone discovered that there was a bullet hole in Franz's target. I don't know who just shot the bullet and made a mistake.

The laughter of the crowd could no longer be held back, and Franz said helplessly: "It's almost done, continue live-fire training."

Archduke Karl patted Franz's shoulder with a smile and said, "Look, I told you to go hunting with me, you don't go there yourself, now you know it's a shame, right?

Don't be discouraged, just go out hunting with me a few more times and your marksmanship will catch up with them. "

Franz nodded cooperatively, as if to say again: His marksmanship is not good because he has too much homework, and he usually lacks practice. As long as he works hard, he will surely catch up.

It is impossible to hunt. Franz is self-aware. As far as his marksmanship is 100 meters away, it is unknown whether an elephant can focus there.

He didn't bother to shoot the prey among pheasants and rabbits, it was just a waste of bullets. Franz understands why many shotguns are shot out in a large area.

"Father, why didn't you go out hunting today?" Franz asked suspiciously

"Seeing how lively you guys are playing, he wants to come over to teach you how to shoot." Empress Dowager Sophie said first.

"Yes, your marksmanship is so bad that it's a shame for the nobles. I'll come and teach you how to use a gun." Grand Duke Karl said aggrievedly.

Franz probably guessed the reason, and said decisively: "Yes, this is great. You can teach them, I still have one step ahead."

After speaking, Franz turned and left. As if something really happened, I was in a hurry to deal with it.

This is a panacea excuse, the Vienna court has rules, and no one can interfere with the emperor's official business.

Even the Empress Dowager Sophie knew that Franz was stalling for time, and she couldn't do anything. Under normal circumstances, the betrothed parents of European nobles are enough, and Franz is obviously abnormal.

In the face of a son who is too assertive, she also feels pressure.

Franz's pressure is even greater. After the engagement war broke out at this time, what should the royal family do?

...

St. Petersburg

In the Coors Manor, in this midsummer August, the interior is still terrifyingly cold.

"Everyone, you can't go on like this, the expeditionary force on the front line is already changing to Arcane weapons on a large scale, and it won't be long before the entire Russian army will be equipped with weapons produced by Austrians.

What will we do then, to close the arsenal? Or to compete for a small private market, selling shotguns? ' an old man said indignantly.

Coors, the host of the meeting, persuaded: "Mr. Ivanov, calm down. It's not that bad, the government can't see us all screwed up.

Now is the time of war, and everything has to serve the war. The logistics of our front-line troops are supplied by the Austrians, and it is impossible to kick them out.

After the war is over, it's our time. The government also does not want to see the Austrians taking control of our military production, and our market will come back. "

Everyone is here for profit. Both the military and the government are very dissatisfied with the inferior weapons they produce. Only the expeditionary force changed to Austrian weapons on a large scale.

Silly, large, and thick are the characteristics of the Russian military's weapons. If there is only this shortcoming, the military will endure it. The problem is that these weapons and equipment are often stuck, and they may even explode.

If there is no choice, or if we all have the same weapon, then forget it. The problem is that now Britain, France and Austria have surpassed them, and even the Ottomans on the opposite side are starting to change to new weapons.

In order to win the war, in order to increase the chance of survival on the battlefield. The officers on the front line strongly demanded to change their clothes. Their interest groups in the government could not suppress it, so they could only buy Austrian equipment for the expeditionary force to change clothes.

The young man complained: "Mr. Coors, even if the market comes back, I have to face competition from the Austrians. The military is used to the use of arcane weapons, so will they still use our junk?

I'm sorry, I'm too blunt. Compared with our European counterparts, the weapons and equipment we produce are indeed an era behind.

Don't everyone want to change? The government can't tolerate it forever, and we will be eliminated sooner or later. "

Coors laughed, and then explained: "Little Peter, you are still too young, didn't Old Peter tell you?

On the surface, we have jointly monopolized domestic weapons and equipment.

The supply is definitely rich with runny oil.

In fact, we don't make a lot of money. How much does the Army pay to replace weapons and equipment every year? Less than 10 million rubles, about half of the money has to be distributed, and the rest is used to buy equipment.

The research and development of weapons is full of uncertainty. More than 90% of the weapons and equipment that come out have no actual combat value, and more than 95% of the weapons are unprofitable.

In this case, if we can't squeeze the maximum profit of each weapon to the maximum, how can everyone's interests be guaranteed?

Originally, the time when everyone made a fortune was the time of war. Very unfortunately, the largest peach in the Russian-Turkish war was picked by the Austrians. "

Little Peter lowered his head dejectedly, not speaking. The arms market is limited, and there are too many people who share the cake.

In addition, it is a monopoly operation, and the research and development of new weapons cannot bring them greater profits, so naturally everyone is not active.

A middle-aged man said in a deep voice: "Since we can't stop the change of clothes, we should just join in.

Send someone to buy the production line from the Austrians and we produce it ourselves. The expeditionary force needs them to provide logistics, and we cannot compete for that market.

But the remaining domestic market, we must be occupied. After the war, the domestic arms market is still ours. "

The previously angry Ivanov said: "This is also a way. According to past experience, this short period of time will not end. We can join in to make up for the loss."

Little Peter was much more cautious this time, and asked uncertainly: "Will the Austrians sell me, you know now is a good time for them to make money?"

Coors replied affirmatively: "Yes, these production lines are not only produced in Austria, if they don't sell, we can find someone else to buy them, but it needs to be modified.

It can even be produced in our country, but it is not very easy to use. In order to save costs, everyone is used to importing from abroad. "