The call to arms 1900-1901, or, A review of the Imperial Yeomanry Movement and some subjects connected therewith

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ... for the ordinary soldier, is a question mainly not of mechanical appliances but of constant practice. To press the trigger with open eye, without flinching and without' pulling off,' and to possess that thorough knowledge of and confidence in the weapon used which only its frequent use can give, are infinitely more important than scientific appliances. These latter may come later for the favoured few with special aptitude and skill, and for use in special circumstances. For the main body of the British Army we should be satisfied with a wear and tear weapon, as simple in action and mechanism as is compatible with thorough efficiency, capable of being fired with great rapidity, and the least likely to get out of order in any detail whatever. The fact is--I advance this statement with continued diffidence--the authority and experience of your Bisley expert rifle-shot are not necessarily final and conclusive as applied to the Army rifle and its use. The Bisley point of view is one thing; the rifleman on the field of battle has to deal with a totally different situation. Service conditions are not quite the 'bugbear' mentioned by the Bisley correspondent. The Bisley expert can use mechanical appliances with advantage, because he has nothing else to think of than accuracy, has plenty of time to think and no physical toil or hardship or the excitement of battle to handicap him. The target does not shoot back at him. The distance is measured, on level ground, to a foot. The direction of the wind is indicated by flags. He can assume his position according to the range with the greatest deliberation, on a piece of matting to keep out the wet, and take all the time in reason he wants for aim. No one has yet heard of the battle in which any one of these conditions, t...