Hotchkiss Guns

These guns are divided into two classes, and are known as rapid-fire (R. F.) and machine (M.) and throw I-lb, 3-lb. and 6-lb. explosive projectiles respectively. The Hotchkiss machine-gun is on the principle of the Gatling--a revolving cannon, has five barrels, and throws I-lb. and 3-lb. projectiles. The greatest range of the 3-lb. machine-gun is about 1 1/2 miles at an elevation of, say, 30 deg., and the range of the I-pounder is about I mile for the same elevation. There are also I, 3 and 6-pounder Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns, which are loaded at the breech and throw single projectiles, the ranges of the I and 3-pounders being respectively 2 miles and 1 1/2 miles, and the penetration about 1 1/2 inches and I inch of steel at 1,000 yards. The range of the 6-pounder is about 3 miles with an elevation of 30 deg., and its penetration is about 2 inches of steel at 1,000 yards. The Hotchkiss machine-guns may be fired at the rate of fifty projectiles per minute, the rapid-fire guns at the rate of twelve per minute. The cartridges used in these machine-guns have metallic cases, on the principle of the revolver cartridge, and they are fired by a revolving crank. The rapid-fire guns are fired by a trigger, as in a small arm.