Chapter 75 Subversive Weapons
Joseph briefly introduced: "This gun will adopt a new firing method. The loading speed and power are greatly improved compared to the current flintlock gun, and the rain resistance and misfire rate are also significantly improved."
Louis XVI's eyes brightened even more. Even people who don’t understand military matters can tell that this new gun will have a subversive impact on war!
In fact, he knew very well that everyone in France was talking about his "incompetence" and "not doing his job properly" behind his back.
He also wants to be a king who is respected and worshiped by his people like the Sun King, but running a country sometimes really depends on talent.
And he just doesn't have the talent in this area.
But gunmaking was his area of expertise—because of his familiarity with precision machinery, many gunsmiths of this era were born as watchmakers.
He is a master craftsman certified by the Locksmiths Guild and the Watchmakers Guild.
In the past, no matter how exquisite the lock he made, no one would sincerely praise him for it.
But guns are different! This is the military pillar of a country!
If the new gun he developed could help French soldiers sweep away the enemy, who would say that he was a useless king? !
Joseph asked the guard outside the door to get a flintlock gun and pointed at the firing mechanism at the back of the gun:
"Today's flintlock gun uses the flint on the bolt to hit the iron plate to produce sparks, which ignites the gunpowder in the powder chamber, which in turn ignites the percussion gunpowder in the gun chamber and shoots the bullet."
Louis XVI nodded. He often hunted and was familiar with this.
Joseph removed the flint from the bolt and continued:
"The British synthesized a thing called 'mercury chloride' a few years ago, which will explode when it hits the impact. If you fix the mercury ray on the side and rear of the gun barrel, and use the bolt to hit the mercury ray, it can be directly ignited and fired. medicine."
Louis XVI frowned and said:
"But how to fix the mercury fulminate? Moreover, this thing will explode on impact. It is not safe for soldiers to hold it. For example, if they accidentally fall, they may die."
Joseph smiled slightly:
"This is also the reason why the British have not been able to use mercury fulminate to make weapons."
Louis XVI looked at him expectantly, knowing that his son must have come up with a solution.
"I call it a 'fire hat.'" Joseph picked up the paper he had just printed on, tore off a small piece, and folded it into a bowl shape about the size of a mung bean. "This represents a shell made of copper."
He pinched some paraffin and said, "This is mercury fulminate."
He stuffed the paraffin into a paper bowl and compacted it:
"A flash cap is all it takes. The copper shell can block the impact of the outside world and prevent mercury from exploding easily.
"It will be safer if you put the flash cap into an ammunition bag lined with cotton."
Louis XVI was surprised and said:
"How do you fire the gun?"
"Because copper is malleable." Joseph picked up a small hammer and knocked it on the bottom of the paper bowl. "Make the bolt into a hammer shape. As long as the spring is strong enough, the bolt can flatten the bottom of the flash cap and detonate the contents inside. Mercury fulminate.”
Louis XVI picked up the flintlock gun and thought:
"So, the primer chamber can be eliminated. Make a hole in the barrel of the gun, insert the flash cap into it, pull the trigger, and it can be fired."
Joseph was surprised. He was indeed a master, and he was able to answer the question!
He nodded and said: "Opening the hole is not conducive to taking out the flash cap after firing. It is best to install a hollow cylinder behind the side of the gun barrel. Press the flash cap on the cylinder. When firing, the flame will enter the gun bore from the hollow. It’s easy to remove the flash cap after firing.”
Louis XVI's expression became more and more excited.
When firing a flintlock gun, the second half of the operation is: take out the gunpowder bag, pour the gunpowder into the ignition chamber, compact it, pull the gun, and fire.
If you use a flash cap instead, you only need to pull the trigger, plug in the flash cap, and fire.
At least two or three seconds faster than a flintlock gun!
Don't underestimate these two or three seconds. Half a second can determine life or death on the battlefield. A veteran who has been training for several years may only reload three seconds faster than a new recruit.
In addition, the flash cap gun does not have a leak hole in the primer chamber. The thrust of the gunpowder can fully act on the projectile. The power is definitely greatly improved compared to the flintlock gun.
He looked at Joseph, his eyes full of pride and doting:
"My dear son, how did you come up with such a brilliant idea? Oh, I guess God must have kissed your head."
Joseph thought to himself that of course he had seen it on the military forum, and he smiled and said:
"Thank God."
He took a pen and paper, drew the structure of the cap gun in his memory, and handed it to Louis XVI:
"This is roughly what it looks like, but the specific size proportions, as well as issues such as parts and craftsmanship, must be resolved by our great King."
Louis XVI puffed up his chest with great pride:
"Don't worry! Together, father and son, we will definitely be able to create a great gun that will shock the whole of Europe!"
After coming out of the royal workshop, Joseph couldn't help but sigh secretly. Why didn't he think of asking the king to help develop weapons?
In terms of equipment, here are the most complete and best-quality tools and instruments in France.
In terms of technology, Louis XVI and his assistants were the best.
More importantly, when the king engages in research and development, he does not have to worry about technology leaks. This would be an arsenal for research and development, and at least a hundred people would have to keep an eye on it to prevent secrets from being leaked.
He further thought that there would be more and more matters involving technology confidentiality in the future, and the introduction of patent law must be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
In addition, when the flash cap gun is developed, the supporting mercury processing and firearms manufacturing must keep up to quickly form batches.
This new gun will not only be a simple weapon, but also a powerful tool for exerting influence on the army, so it is better to have it produced by the arsenal under its control...
While Joseph was thinking, he had returned to his bedroom. He unbuttoned his coat tiredly, but his hand touched the envelope that Mrs. Eric had given him that night.
He pulled out the theater ticket and saw that the play would be performed at the Comédie-France four days later.
When he turned to the other side of the ticket, he was stunned - the name of the play was actually "The Sphere" which had just been serialized a few days ago!
Only then did he remember that De Nico had come to report yesterday that a theater wanted to buy the novel in the newspaper and rehearse it. Joseph didn't pay much attention at the time and let Denico take full charge of it. Who would have thought that the show would start in 4 days! ?
This novel has only been serialized for three days in total. How impatient must the theater troupes be?
Moreover, the total time for screenwriting and rehearsal is only a week at most. How did they do it?
In the next few days, Joseph first went to Lamarck's pharmaceutical workshop and told the latter about the processing of ferrous sulfate.
After that, he arranged the promotion and sales of Paris Angel Company's new product "Guifeile Oral Liquid", and occasionally went to the Royal Workshop to see the progress of His Majesty the King.
Four days passed quickly. At noon that day, Joseph's carriage stopped at the corner of Rue Richelieu. There were already crowds of people outside the Comedie Française, and it was packed to the brim.
I would like to thank the boss "Bei Hebei" for the generous reward for this book, and thank the boss "Beaver Crete" for the financial sponsorship of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness and the young author would like to express their sincere gratitude to both of them!
