§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is aware that there is a foresight placed on the ring of the new sword bayonet (issued to the Navy this year), and that, when the bayonet is fixed, this foresight is to the left of the proper foresight of the rifle, and very much higher, so that accurate shooting is thereby rendered impossible; whether the finish of the weapon is very inferior; and, whether, as it is considerably shorter than the former pattern, it is not less effective when, used as a sword?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter)(who replied) said: The foresight on the ring was introduced on the recommendation of the Special Committee on Small Arms, to meet a want which had been experienced in the exceptional circumstance of firing with sword-bayonet fixed, a mode of tiring only applicable to short ranges. The sight was carefully adjusted, so as to correct shooting "high" and "to the left," which are found to occur when firing with sword-bayonet fixed It has been favourably reported on by the officers under whom it has 705 been tried. No complaint has been received as to the finish of the weapon. It is well known that this sword-bayonet is shorter than the former pattern; but it has been approved by both Military and Naval Authorities; and its supply to the Navy in substitution of the former pattern is made at the direct request of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.