A revolutionary weapon
Joseph briefly explained, "This gun will use a completely new Firing Mechanism, with significantly improved loading speed and power compared to current Flintlock Gun, and also markedly improved rain resistance and misfire rate."
Louis XVI's eyes lit up even more. Even someone with little military knowledge could tell that this new gun would have a revolutionary impact on the war!
In reality, he was well aware that people throughout France were gossiping behind his back that he was "incompetent" and "negligent in his duties."
He also wanted to be a King like the Sun King, revered and worshipped by his people, but governing a country sometimes really depends on talent.
But he just happens to lack that talent.
But gun making was his forte—because of his familiarity with precision mechanics, many gunsmiths of that era came from watchmaking backgrounds.
He is a master Craftsman certified by both the Locksmith Guild and the Watchmaker Guild.
In the past, even if he made the most exquisite locks, no one would sincerely praise him for it.
But guns are different! They are a pillar of a nation's military!
If the new guns he developed could help French Soldiers sweep away the enemy, who would still call himself a useless King?!
Joseph ordered the Guard outside to bring him a Flintlock Gun and pointed to the firing mechanism at the back of the gun:
"Modern Flintlock Gun use a flint on the bolt to strike a metal plate, creating a spark that Ignition Pan Gunpowder, which in turn Ignition the firing Gunpowder in the barrel, propelling the bullet."
Louis XVI nodded; he was a frequent hunter and very familiar with the subject.
Joseph removed the flint from the breechblock and continued:
"A few years ago, the United Kingdom synthesized something called ' Fulminate of Mercury,' which explodes upon impact. If you fix the Fulminate of Mercury fulminate to the rear side of the barrel and strike Fulminate of Mercury with the bolt, you can directly Ignition the Propellant."
Louis XVI frowned and said:
"But how do you secure the Fulminate of Mercury fulminate? And this stuff explodes upon impact, so it's not safe for soldiers to handle it. For example, if they accidentally fall, they could die from it."
Joseph smiled slightly:
This is also why the United Kingdom have not been able to use Fulminate of Mercury to make weapons to this day.
Louis XVI looked at him expectantly, knowing that his son must have come up with a solution.
"I call it a ' Percussion Cap '." Joseph picked up the paper he had just used for printing, tore off a small piece, and folded it into a bowl shape the size of a mung bean. "This represents a copper outer shell."
He pinched some Paraffin Wax: "This is Fulminate of Mercury."
He stuffed the Paraffin Wax into the paper bowl and pressed it down firmly.
"A Percussion Cap is all that's needed. The copper shell can withstand external impacts, preventing the Fulminate of Mercury from exploding easily."
"It would be even safer if the Percussion Cap were placed inside an Ammunition pouch padded with Cotton."
Louis XVI asked in surprise:
How do you fire that gun?
"Because copper is malleable." Joseph picked up a small hammer and tapped the bottom of the paper bowl. "If you shape the breechblock into a hammer, and the spring is strong enough, the bolt can flatten the bottom of the Percussion Cap and detonate the Fulminate of Mercury fulminate inside."
Louis XVI picked up the Flintlock Gun and pondered:
"Therefore, the Priming Pan can be eliminated. Just make a hole in the breech, insert the Percussion Cap, pull back the bolt, and it can be fired."
Joseph was taken aback. "Wow, he really is a master! He even answered before I could!"
He nodded and said, "A hole makes it difficult to remove the Percussion Cap after firing. It's best to install a Hollow Cylinder on the side and rear of the barrel. Press the Percussion Cap onto the cylinder. When firing, the flame will enter the barrel through the hollow part. And after firing, it's easy to remove the Percussion Cap."
Louis XVI's expression grew increasingly agitated.
When firing Flintlock Gun, the latter part of the operation is as follows: take out the Gunpowder bag, pour the Gunpowder into the Priming Pan, compact it, pull back the bolt, and fire.
If Percussion Cap is used instead, all that's needed is to pull back the bolt, insert the Percussion Cap, and it can be fired.
It was at least two or three seconds faster than Flintlock Gun!
Don't underestimate those two or three seconds. On the battlefield, half a second can determine life or death. A veteran who has trained for several years may only be able to reload three seconds faster than a new recruit.
Furthermore, the Percussion Cap Gun lacks the vent hole for the Priming Pan. The propellant force of the Gunpowder can be fully applied to the Bullet, resulting in a significant increase in power compared to Flintlock Gun.
He looked at Joseph, his eyes filled with pride and doting affection:
"My dear son, how did you come up with such a brilliant idea? Oh, I bet God must have kissed your head."
Joseph thought to himself that he must have seen it on a military forum, and smiled slightly.
Thank God.
He took out paper and pen, drew the structure of the Percussion Cap Gun from his memory, and handed it to Louis XVI:
"That's roughly it, but the specific dimensions, proportions, and manufacturing processes of the parts will have to be resolved by our great King."
Louis XVI puffed out his chest in triumph:
"Don't worry! My son and I working together will definitely create a gun that will amaze all of Europe!"
As Joseph left the Royal Workshop, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Why hadn't he thought of asking the King for help in developing weapons earlier?
In terms of equipment, this place has the most complete and highest quality tools and instruments in all of France.
In terms of technology, Louis XVI and his assistants were the best.
More importantly, the King doesn't need to worry about technology leaks when conducting research and development. If it were Arsenal conducting research and development, at least a hundred people would have to be assigned to monitor it to prevent leaks.
He then realized that there would be more and more matters involving technology secrecy in the future, and the introduction of Patent Law should be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
Furthermore, once the Percussion Cap Gun is developed, the supporting Fulminate of Mercury fulminate processing and firearm manufacturing must follow suit to quickly achieve mass production.
This new gun will be more than just a weapon; it will also be a powerful tool for exerting influence over the military, so it's best to have it produced by the Arsenal under my control...
As Joseph, he returned to his Bedchamber. Wearily unbuttoning his coat, his hand touched the envelope Madame Eric had given him that evening.
He casually pulled out Theater Ticket from inside and saw that the Drama was scheduled to be performed at the Comédie-Française in four days.
When he flipped the ticket to the other side, he was stunned— the Drama's name was ""Refining the Firmament"," which had only been serialized for a few days!
He then remembered that Denico had reported yesterday that a theater wanted to buy the novel in the newspaper for a production. Joseph hadn't paid much attention at the time and had left it entirely to Denico. Who could have imagined that the performance would begin in just four days!?
This novel has only been serialized for three days; how impatient must those theater troupes be?
Moreover, the total time for scriptwriting and rehearsals was at most one week. How did they manage to do that?
In the following days, Joseph first went to Lamarck's Pharmaceutical Workshop and talked to him about processing Ferrous Sulfate.
After that, it was time to arrange the promotion and sales of the new product "Noble Lady Joy Oral Liquid" from the Paris Angel Company, and occasionally visit the Royal Workshop to check on His King's progress.
Four days passed quickly. At noon that day, Joseph's Carriage stopped at the corner of Rue de Richelieu. The Comédie-Française was already packed with people, so crowded that it was impossible to move.
Many thanks to the generous donation from "Bei He Bei" for this book, and to the generous financial support from "Beaver Crete" for His Crown Prince. His Highness and the young author express their heartfelt gratitude to both of you!
(End of this chapter)