Chapter 496 BAR Automatic Rifle

Shire was hesitant to authorize directional mines and landmines out of considerations of "snatching wool".

"This may not seem like a big deal, but it is related to the life and death of France, Your Majesty." Charles looked at Albert I with a sincere apology on his face: "You know, we relied on these mines to block Verdun. Once the secrets of the German attack are leaked and the Germans discover their weaknesses, thereby endangering the safety of Verdun, the consequences will be disastrous!"

"I know, Brigadier!" Albert I hurriedly replied: "But we are enemies of the Germans, and we will strictly abide by its confidentiality regulations. We also do not want the Germans to discover the weaknesses of landmines."

Ciel shook his head slightly in embarrassment: "I may not be able to help you, or at least not now."

He said this, but he thought in his heart: The Germans can dig up a few and take them back for study at any time. In fact, it has no secrets. The biggest secret of landmines is that they are not sure where they are buried.

Albert I, who didn't know what was going on, was anxious: "But we need it urgently. Landmines can stop the speed of the German attack, and directional mines can kill enemies in large numbers, which is very useful for guerrillas."

Then he added: "If the guerrillas can win, it will also reduce the casualties and pressure on the French army, Brigadier General."

Only then did Charles understand that Albert I needed these things not only to build a "fortress defense system", but also for the guerrillas or for Belgium's under-trained army.

This is a good idea. Landmines do not require high military quality. A civilian who knows nothing can also carry out landmine warfare after one hour of training.

However, Ciel remained silent. The more you need me, the more chips I have.

Boyata made an attractive offer: "We are willing to give you more profits, Brigadier General. For example, you can get 60% of the profits."

Mines are a "small profit but quick turnover" thing. Even if the profit is pitiful, considerable profits will be achieved due to the huge demand.

But Ciel remained unmoved: "Sorry, sometimes equipment cannot be measured in terms of money and profit."

Boyata looked at Albert I helplessly. He had already tried his best. If he continued to give in, he would not make any money.

Albert I also showed a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

At this time, Browning took a small step forward and said, "What if we have equipment to exchange with you, Brigadier General?"

"Exchange?" Charles turned to Browning with a puzzled look on his face.

I was secretly happy that this guy finally took the bait.

"Yes." Browning nodded.

There was a hint of sarcasm on Ciel's lips: "What do you have that we should exchange for?"

In a desperate move, Charles hoped that Browning would take out what was at the bottom of the box.

"I have been researching a gun recently." Browning took out a gray notebook from his pocket, opened it, quickly found one of the pages and handed it to Charles: "This is a rifle, but it can Shoot continuously like a machine gun!"

It turned out to be BAR, and Ciel instantly understood it when he looked at the sketch.

(The picture above shows the Browning 11918 Automatic Rifle, or BAR for short. It looks like an automatic rifle but is actually a light machine gun. It was just used as an automatic rifle in an era when automatic rifles did not exist.)

Charles looked at the sketch and asked knowingly: "It looks more like a light machine gun, Mr. Browning."

"Yes, you have reason to think so." Browning explained:

"But its function is a rifle. I plan to use a thin barrel, cancel the bipod, and make a series of simplifications. It is estimated that the weight is only about 15 kilograms."

"That makes it fundamentally different from a machine gun."

"We all know that a machine gun must be operated by two or more people, and it is an individual weapon in the hands of infantry!"

(Note: The BAR empty gun weighs 14.5 kilograms, while the rotary machine gun weighs 18.2 kilograms. If the magazine is added, the difference is even greater, because the BAR is fed by a 20-round magazine, which makes it easier for individual soldiers to operate without the need for ammunition. hand)

After hearing this, Tijani, who was discussing the progress of the Verdun war with his staff a few meters away, was attracted to him.

An individual rifle that can fire continuously?

And they use rifle bullets with long range and high power?

This is the dream of almost all frontline soldiers, as well as officers!

Tijani unconsciously put down what he was doing, quickly came up to stare at the sketch, and asked Browning dubiously: "Can it really be realized?"

Browning nodded firmly: "I even produced a prototype gun, General. I believe it will not let you fail."

Tijani asked again: "Are you planning to exchange this gun for landmines?"

"Yes, General," Browning replied, but quickly added: "And directional mines, anti-tank mines and jumping mines."

This is the necessary rigor as an arms dealer, otherwise it will be easy for others to take advantage of it.

Tijani turned his gaze to Ciel, his eyes filled with passion, as if to say, Change it, Brigadier, what are you waiting for? We need this equipment!

But Charles acted very calmly. He asked Browning: "Have you considered the taper of French ammunition, sir?"

Browning was stunned, he really hadn't thought about it.

But he quickly calmed down: "I heard that the 'Saint-Etienne' arsenal has successfully developed a new type of ammunition, an ammunition without taper problems, but 'Saint-Etienne' has not had time to develop a new gun. ”

This is a fact. It is a 7.5MM rimless rifle bullet copied from the Mauser rifle bullet. The "Saint-Etienne" Arsenal has already produced it in small batches and is developing a new rifle.

Charles continued to find faults:

"But the problem with the thin barrel is that the firepower is poor and the barrel cannot be replaced if it is a single soldier."

"And the recoil is too large when shooting continuously, and ordinary soldiers may not be able to bear it."

"In addition, there is the problem of weight. 15 pounds is still much heavier than ordinary rifles. How do you solve these problems?"

Browning was speechless when asked. He also had a headache about these things. Unexpectedly, Charles easily pointed it out after just one look at the sketch.

Charles knew the solution, which was to develop intermediate power bullets to produce real assault rifles.

But of course, Charles would not point it out, otherwise it would not be "Saint-Etienne" but FN that produced the assault rifles.

After staring at the sketch for a while, Charles reluctantly replied:

"Well, although it has many shortcomings, this kind of gun may be needed on the battlefield."

"I agree to the exchange, but it must satisfy me, at least reach the performance you described."

Browning nodded repeatedly: "Of course, Brigadier General, I promise!"

Albert I breathed a sigh of relief and shook hands with Charles: "Thank you, Brigadier General, thank you very much!"

Charles sighed in his heart, this is the fate of a small country, being fleeced but still being grateful!