Chapter 102 We will eventually be invincible
Compared with single-shot rifles, magazine-type rifles consume bullets faster and the barrel wears more seriously, so the requirements for materials are very high.
George didn’t know how many bullets the life of the Berdan II rifle was. The Russian military has not conducted statistics in this regard, but it can be estimated from the fact that replacing the dagger-type bayonet can affect the shooting accuracy. The Berdan II rifle The barrel life is not very high.
The rifle brought by George uses a rotating back-pull bolt, and the magazine is detachable, which can increase the speed of loading bullets. The ammunition capacity is five rounds.
This rifle has a variety of derivative models. The short barrel is suitable for cavalry, is lighter, and is easier to carry.
The long barrel has a longer range and higher accuracy. After adding a bayonet, the total gun length reaches 1.7 meters, which is more conducive to stabbing and is suitable for infantry use.
There is also a sniper type with a heavy barrel. This model has very high requirements for the accuracy of parts and cannot be mass-produced industrially. George plans to use it as a sniper rifle.
"Sniper rifle, what is that? Is it a special equipment for snipers?" Ya San didn't quite understand the concept of sniping.
The Guards has a brigade of snipers. The "sniper" here is not a sniper, but a heavy infantryman.
"Snipers can be understood as precision shooters. They have the most accurate shooting and focus on taking care of enemy officers on the battlefield." George's explanation was slightly vague, but it did not affect Yasan's understanding of "snipers" this concept.
The concept of sniper has not yet appeared, but precision sniping has begun to play a role on the battlefield.
During the American Civil War, Northern Army General John Sedgwick reprimanded the soldiers looking for bunkers when inspecting the front line: "At this distance, they can't even hit an elephant."
At that time, the front lines of the two sides were 900 meters apart.
Before he finished speaking, Sedgwick was fatally shot by a Confederate sniper, becoming the highest-ranking officer killed in action during the Civil War.
“How much does this gun cost?” Ya San was still concerned about the cost.
"It depends on whether it is purchased from outside or produced by ourselves." George couldn't calculate the cost. The average cost of each of the guns he brought was more than 1,500 rubles.
If it is mass-produced by Russia's own arsenal, the cost will be much lower.
How low it is depends on the total number required. Generally speaking, the greater the quantity
produced, the lower the cost.
After doing some calculations, Yasan felt that it was a little useless.
At present, the total strength of the Russian regular army plus local troops is approximately 1.3 million.
If it is 100 rubles per person, the cost of this part will be more than 130 million rubles.
This does not include the cost of modifying the factory.
If all is calculated, the cost of replacing rifles for all troops will be at least 200 million rubles.
In the 10th Russo-Turkish War, the total compensation paid by the Ottoman Empire was only 300 million rubles.
"We can equip the troops in stages, giving priority to the replacement of the Guards. The equipment eliminated by the Guards will be transferred to the field army, and the weapons eliminated by the field army will be transferred to the local troops. The three major arsenals must be reorganized. Tula, the strongest, is fully engaged in the production of new rifles. The factory produces smokeless gunpowder, but Xie Factory has shifted its focus to artillery and heavy machine guns. All our artillery actually needs to be imported. This is too abnormal. The empire has the largest army in the world. How can it use such an important weapon as artillery? "They all rely on imports!" George has many ideas. If Asia San is fully adopted, it will undoubtedly be a big earthquake for the Russian military.
The benefits are of course obvious.
Today's Russia, if it is just a small patchwork, it will not help at all.
Drastic reforms must be carried out to change the backward situation of the Russian military industry.
Asan was silent. Reform is easier said than done.
As strong as Ya Er, the abolition of serfdom even caused resentment, and was eventually assassinated.
If Yasan touches the cake of military industry, how strong will the backlash be?
"George, it's not as easy as you think-" Yasan sighed. He has never been a decisive person.
George was not surprised, because Yasan didn't know what kind of bad consequences his hesitation would lead to.
If Ya San knew that if Russia did not take action, the empire would be wiped out in 30 years, then Ya San would not hesitate to kill everyone who hindered the reform, even if that person was Ya San's brother.
The situation is obviously not that urgent now. Russia has just won the 10th Russo-Turkish War. Germany and Austria-Hungary are Russia’s allies, the United States is Russia’s supplier, and the United Kingdom is Russia’s big cousin. , France was in ruins after losing the Franco-Prussian War. Looking at the world, Russia had no opponent at all.
Invincible!
Lonely as snow~~
“It’s not as difficult as we imagined——” George knew that it was difficult for Ya San to make a decision, and someone needed to push Ya San at this time: "If you don't mind, I am willing to use all the money I earn from selling champagne to invest in the transformation of the military industry system."
Military industry is not the same as building railways.
Private companies play a large role in the Russian railway system. If the Tsar wanted to move this area, he had to consider the interests of all parties.
The military industry is relatively simple, and private capital has not had time to get involved. This is the most precious legacy that Ya Er left to Ya San.
“My glory and status all come from the empire. I am the Yurievsky Super Duke of the empire. No one wants the empire to continue to be strong more than me. You are my brother, and Nikki is My dearest nephew is also my best friend. I will fully assist him and become the greatest tsar in history." George was emotional. If the tsar is not moved by this, George can only implement plan B.
"George, you are also my best friend!" Nicky was moved and gave George a big hug.
Ya San looked at George with even more complicated eyes.
George did make a lot of money selling champagne.
George is not the only one who makes money. Although other princes and nobles do not sell champagne, they also make a lot of money.
But I don’t see any princes willing to invest their own money in industries where there is no return.
Ya San is not that stupid, thinking that George’s investment in the military industry is an attempt to control the military industry of the Russian Empire.
This is impossible. Even if the First Lady claims to buy the entire Russia, the industries she invests in are concentrated in sugar and flour, and the proportions of steel and oil are not high.
Now that the internal combustion engine has not yet appeared, oil is more used for lighting.
The First Lady’s steel factory only supplies civilian enterprises. The First Lady has never been involved in industries that are truly related to the lifeblood of the empire.
Nicola dropped the heaviest weight on the scale.
"Dad, I am also willing to invest my money in military industry. The empire needs the most advanced weapons. We will eventually be invincible!"
(End of this chapter)