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| Rifle. | Model | Cal.| PROJECTILE. | Initial
| | (year)| | Description. | Weight. | Velocity.
| | | mm. | | g. | m.
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Japan |{Arisaka | '97 | 6.5 |Hardened lead | 10.5 | 715
|{Murata | '94 | 8.0 | core with | 15.42 | 564
| | | | copper-nickel| |
Russia| | '91 | 7.62| jacket. | 13.7 | 615
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The ballistic qualities of the Arisaka rifle were superior to those of the Russian arm, but the maiming effect of the two rifles was about equal. The striking energy of the projectiles was not sufficient in every case, however, to put a man out of action. The explosive effect produced by bullets striking interior organs and bones at short ranges (within 500 m.) was more evident in wounds made by the 8. mm. than by the Arisaka rifle.[1]
At mid ranges the wounds were generally of a mild character, unless produced by tumbling bullets.[2]
Experiments prove that a projectile will tumble if it encounters varying resistance (for example, if the projectile strikes an obstacle, even if that be only a twig) or if it penetrates materials of different density (for instance, if, in penetrating a body, it strikes first upon a fleshy part, then upon bones). In the last mentioned case the bullet will frequently tumble in the body. If a projectile be fired through a series
- ↑ "The projectile that penetrates animal organisms displaces and consequently destroys the tissue fibers lying in its path. The projectile communicates a portion of its energy to the molecules struck, and these in turn transfer that energy to adjoining ones. The greater the velocity of the projectile at the moment of impact, the more rapid is this transfer of motion. Especially in organs filled with fluid are the molecules, like firm bodies, thrown with the greatest rapidity. This has a destructive effect which in the past has never been observed to be so extensive, and which gives the impression that the projectile has exploded in the body. In order to produce this effect a velocity of about 350 to 400 m. is required, which was, of course, not obtainable in rifles of older pattern, and was only possible in the immediate vicinity of the muzzle. Whenever the projectile strikes a marrow bone with great velocity it shatters it completely at the point of impact, and splinters it to a considerable extent, all because the bone is filled with a liquid substance." Rohne, Schieszlehre für die Infanterie, p. 69.
- ↑ See also Ricochets, p. 185 infra.
