§ COLONEL BARTTELOTasked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether 140,000 or any less number of Martini-Henry rifles have been made and placed in the Tower; whether all or the greater part of those rifles have been found defective; whether those defects are not in the mechanism of the lock as well as in the stock, and that they have all to be returned to Enfield for alterations; whether the cartridge has to be altered, both as regards quantity of powder and size and weight of bullet; and, whether he will state the estimated cost of the rifle when first approved, and the cost of each rifle, including every alteration that has been made, as well as the present alterations?
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILYes, Sir, it is perfectly true, as my hon. and gallant Friend says, that 140,000 Martini-Henry rifles have been manufactured, and the greater part are in the Tower. It is also true they are about to be removed from the Tower to Enfield to undergo some slight modifications; but I trust that neither my hon. and gallant Friend nor anybody else interested in the matter will run away with the idea that this slight modification implies any serious defects. A Report has been made to me on the matter, and I had best road part of it to the House. It says—
None of them have been found defective, except in minor details, and a few minor improvements are being made. There are no defects in the mechanism of the lock or action.
§ COLONEL BARTTELOTThe length of the stock.
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILWell, there is a slight alteration with regard to the length of the stock. The stocks are to be made a little longer, for convenience in the handling.
§ COLONEL BARTTELOTHow much?
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILI should think an inch or so; but I cannot say positively. This alteration, with other minor ones, will be carried out at Enfield. The Report also says—
No alteration has been made in the cartridge, either as to powder or bullet, or is contemplated at the present moment. The estimated cost of the rifle when first approved was £3. The cost of the alterations to the arms already made will he 2s. 11d. in those arms which require the stock to be lengthened; and in the remainder 1s. 7½d., including the cost of 270 carriage to and from the Tower; but, on the other hand, the introduction of the alterations will reduce the cost of each rifle in future manufacture by 1s. 3d.I may add, Sir, that the present Committee see no reason to alter the good opinion of the Martini-Henry rifle which was formed by their predecessors, who strongly recommended it as the best weapon to be adopted in the Army.