Knirirr's wafflings

Earlier this year I managed to obtain an example of the French 1886M93 rifle, usually known as the “Lebel”, for use in re-enactments and possibly for target shooting if it could be properly proofed. This rifle uses an unusual cartridge and so finding ammunition for it has been a bit of a problem, but I finally managed to track down someone willing to prepare some, if I could find the empty cases. Just before I ordered some, I was able to obtain some wooden training rounds of the sort used to safely train recruits in the handling of this rifle. These are shown next to some de-activated rounds, here:

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Strangely, these would not go into the breech; they jammed half-way, almost as if the tapered cases became too wide about half-way along. The probable cause for this would be some sort of modification to the breech in order to take something other than the original ammunition. As the rifle was previously owned by a film company I suspect that this was done in order to use more readily available ammunition. A perusal of the film in which my rifle appeared revealed the following interesting screenshot:

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This last round, used by a scoundrel to evade capture and torture at the hands of the enemy, isn't an 8x50R. I don't know what it is, but with any luck a cast and measurement of the breech will reveal this information. At that point I might actually be able to make some noise at an event.

This article is certainly interesting, although I'd keep an open mind on the science discussed in it.

In case anyone is wondering on my position on the matter, it is that it is no business of the state what private contracts two (or more) consenting adults wish to draw up between themselves. They should be able to arrange whatever ceremony they wish (assuming they don't compel someone to perform it) and sign a contract with (within reason) whatever terms they like.

During a short drive yesterday I heard the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” played upon the radio on two occasions. This is almost certainly due to the fact that the Titanic took her final plunge a little under 100 years and 11 hours ago. This hymn was included in a scene in the Cameron film, although as the Wikipedia page mentions it is not entirely clear whether it was actually played. Col. Gracie, who was on the deck right up until the end, had this to say:

It was now that the band began to play, and continued while the boats were being lowered. We considered this a wise provision tending to allay excitement. I did not recognise any of the tunes, but I now they were cheerful and were not hymns. If, as has been reported, “Nearer My God to Thee” was one of the selections, I assuredly should have noticed it and regarded it as a tactless warning of immediate death to us all and one likely to create a panic that our special efforts were directed towards avoiding, and which we accomplished to the fullest extent. I know of only tow survivors whose names are cited by the newspapers as authority for the statement that this hymn was one of those played. On the other hand, all whom I have questioned or corresponded with, including the best qualified, testified emphatically to the contrary.

This sinking has taken on almost mythological status, in which the singing of a hymn in the final moments fits very nicely.

It is often said that to send text messages whilst walking along the street is not a good idea, as it prevents one from keeping an eye out for possible threats, such as bears. At least this chap looked up just in time.

Here's a view of what's going on in the centre of Oxford this morning. More details of the event are shown here.

There's a trailer for some forthcoming Dr. Who available here. At around 0:36 one of the characters can be seen performing some negligent discharges for comedy effect, at which point another character insists that all those who are not Americans put their guns down immediately. The former character is British and the latter an American.

I infer from this that it is meant to reflect the view which some Americans now hold that we in the UK haven't a clue about how to handle firearms properly for the good reason that most of us have never handled one, let alone fired one one, as they are quite difficult to obtain legally. In fact, the revolver which is fired in this scene would have been illegal here for the past 15 years.

However, this is a time travel television programme and this exchange might well have taken place in the 19th century. If so, then it would be rather anachronistic to make the above assumption about British firearms knowledge; in the 19th century it was quite easy to arm oneself and many did, although violent crime was rather low. I would have expected a 19th century man to attribute poor handgun discipline to the fact it was being handled by a woman rather than a Briton (women not even being considered fit to vote). Of course, it could be that the scenes I saw will take place in some sort of “Westworld” theme park in our future, in which case the American's response would be in character. I'll have to wait to find out.

There's not really much need to say anything about minimum alcohol pricing when one can go and read this.

Interesting. What the practical implications mentioned at the end of the article might be I do not know.

This is quite an astonishing story.

Luckily the swordsman didn't seem to be particularly good, but a nutter with a large blade is still not something one should have to face, for without a gun for defence then getting killed is likely.

Back to the drawing board with cross-postings, I think. The use of e-mail to post here from Blogger omits tags and links, which is not really much good at all. It looks like I might have to stick to manual cross-posting.