Chapter 492: Chapter 4 BAR Automatic Rifle
From the perspective of "shearing the sheep," Shire hesitated on the authorization of directional mines and landmines.
"Although this appears trivial, it concerns the life and death of France, Your Majesty." Shire looked at Albert I, his face carrying a sincere apology: "You know, it is precisely with these landmines that we managed to halt the German offensive at Verdun. If the secret leaks and the Germans discover the vulnerability, thereby endangering Verdun, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
"I understand, General!" Albert I hastily replied: "But we are enemies of the Germans. We will strictly adhere to confidentiality regulations. We equally do not want the Germans to discover the weaknesses of landmines."
Shire shook his head lightly in difficulty: "I might not be able to help you, or at least not now."
Saying this, he thought internally: The Germans could extract a few anytime to study. It actually has no secret. The biggest secret of a landmine is not knowing where it is buried.
Albert I, unaware, became anxious: "But we urgently need it. Landmines can slow down the German’s attack speed, and directional mines can cause significant enemy casualties, which are very useful for the guerrilla forces."
He then added: "If the guerrilla forces win, it would similarly reduce the casualties and pressure on the French Army, General."
Shire then understood that Albert I needed these not only for building a "fortress defense system" but also for the guerrillas or the inadequately trained Belgian troops.
This was a good idea. Landmines do not require high-quality troops. A civilian with no skills could engage in landmine warfare after just an hour of training.
However, Shire remained silent. The more you need, the more leverage I have.
Bo Yata proposed an enticing condition: "We are willing to give you more profit, General, for example, you could receive sixty percent of the profit."
Landmines are "high volume, low margin" items. Even with insignificant profits, the large demand would create substantial profits.
But Shire remained unmoved: "Sorry, sometimes equipment cannot be measured by money and profit."
Bo Yata helplessly glanced at Albert I. He had already tried his best, and further concessions would mean no profit.
Albert I’s eyes also revealed a hint of disappointment.
At this point, Browning stepped forward: "What if we trade equipment with you, General?"
"Trade?" Shire directed his gaze at Browning, full of doubt.
Internally delighted, this guy finally took the bait.
"Yes." Browning nodded.
Shire’s mouth curled into a slight sneer: "What do you have that is worth exchanging for ours?"
A provoking tactic, Shire hoped Browning would bring out his most valuable assets.
"I have recently been researching a type of gun." Browning took out a grey notebook from his pocket and quickly found a page to show Shire: "This is a rifle, but it can continuously fire like a machine gun!"
So, it’s BAR. Shire instantly understood at the sight of the sketch.
(The above image is the M1918 automatic rifle developed by Browning in 1917, abbreviated as BAR. It appears to be an automatic rifle but should be a light machine gun. At the time, it was used as an automatic rifle in the absence of automatic rifles.)
Shire looked at the sketch: "It looks more like a light machine gun, Mr. Browning."
"Yes, you have a reason to think so." Browning explained:
"But its function is that of a rifle. I plan to use a thin barrel, removing the bipod, and making a series of simplifications, estimating its weight at only 15 pounds."
"This makes it fundamentally different from a machine gun."
"We all know, machine guns must be operated by two or more people, whereas this is a single-soldier weapon in the hands of infantry!"
(Note: An unloaded BAR weighs 14.5 pounds, while a Maxim machine gun weighs 18.2 pounds. If you include the magazine, the difference is even greater since a BAR uses a 20-round magazine, making single-soldier operation much easier without needing an ammunition handler.)
Hearing this, Tijani, who was several meters away discussing the progress of the Verdun battle with staff officers, was drawn in.
A rifle that can fire continuously?
And it uses long-range, powerful rifle rounds?
This is almost every frontline soldier’s dream, also the officers’!
Tijani unconsciously put down what he was doing, striding over to stare at the sketch, asking Browning half skeptically: "Can it really be achieved?"
Browning nodded confidently: "I have even produced samples, General. I believe it will not let you down."
Tijani then asked: "Are you planning to trade this gun for landmines?"
"Yes, General." Browning replied, but immediately amended: "And also directional mines, anti-tank landmines, and bouncing mines."
Being a cautious arms dealer is necessary, otherwise, it’s easy to be exploited.
Tijani looked at Shire, his eyes burning, as if to say, exchange it, General. What are we waiting for? We need this equipment!
But Shire remained composed, asking Browning: "Have you considered the bullet taper issue with French Army ammunition, sir?"
Browning was stunned. He indeed hadn’t considered that.
But he quickly composed himself: "I heard that the ’Saint-Etienne’ arsenal has already successfully developed a new type of ammunition, one without the taper problem. But ’Saint-Etienne’ has yet to produce a new gun."
That is a fact, a 7.5mm rimless rifle round modeled after the Mauser rifle cartridge. The ’Saint-Etienne’ arsenal had started small-scale production and was developing a new rifle.
Shire continued to pick faults:
"But the thin barrel issue inevitably brings poor sustained firepower, and single-soldiers cannot replace barrels."
"Moreover, the recoil is too strong during continuous shooting, ordinary soldiers might not be able to handle it."
"Additionally, the weight issue, 15 pounds is still much heavier than ordinary rifles. How do you solve these problems?"
Browning was left speechless. He too had wrestled with these issues, and Shire had easily pointed them out at just a glance of the sketch.
Shire knew the solution, and that was to develop intermediate power rounds to produce true assault rifles.
Of course, Shire wouldn’t reveal it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be ’Saint-Etienne’ producing assault rifles, it would be FN.
After staring at the sketch for a while, Shire reluctantly replied:
"Alright, although it has many shortcomings, the battlefield might indeed need such a gun."
"I agree to the exchange, but it must meet my satisfaction, at least live up to the functionalities you described."
Browning continuously nodded: "Of course, General, I guarantee it!"
Albert I let out a sigh of relief, stepping forward to shake hands with Shire: "Thank you, General, thank you very much!"
Shire sighed inwardly, this is the fate of small nations, being sheared like sheep yet still needing to be grateful!