Hi Alistair,
The M96's rate of fire is more likely 15-20 rounds per minute.
It won't be until the late summer at the soonest that smokeless ammunition could make its appearance in Siddarmark.
Looking at the TO&E RFC has gifted us with 10,000 isn't enough for even 2 brigades, so the tactical results would probably be too murky to draw any useful results.
From the LaMA end of October textev, Howsmyn expects the 3 rifle lines at Delthak to have all started by the end of November or early February, so ~6000 M96's could have been produced in November, with the other 8 rifle lines starting production over the next 4 month's, so production could have made another 67,000 if they averaged a new start every 3 5days, then making ~46,000 per month from then on, assuming they did less than 3.5 hours of maintenance on each line each month.
However if that rate is sustained, some 276,000 more might be built by the end of the year, for almost 350,000 when including November 96's ~6,000.
Given the ~75% rifle ratio of the ICA, the approximate 360,000 ICA combat troops need only ~270,000 to completely rearm with the M96; a figure reached before mid October, but the 5 lines at Maikelberg would take an extra 40-50 days transit time, even if most weren't held back to equip the new recruits.
If the 3 Lake Lyman lines were up by the end of February or so [sooner than projected above], the Old Charis total might be near 37,000 M96's and adding another 25,000 every month thereafter, for up to 262,000 by year's end.
So its most likely the ICA combat units in Siddarmark won't completely re-equip with the M96 until after February 898; who gets to be last will be interesting to see.
Does someone want to suggest a pool on who it is?
I'm impressed that Howsmyn is so confident his tools and dies can be copied so closely to create 4 other rifle lines at Maikelberg; it's a quite a testament to the workers' skills there and the strict tolerances and measurements that are detailed in LaMA etc.
A nominal 70,000 man ICA army would need some 52,500 M96's, which theoretically might be shipped in June and arrive in July or early August, but given most of Maikelberg's production staying in Chisholm for now, the first army's replacements might not be sent until April, and arrive in mid-May, with follow on shipments about every 2 month's there after, if faster means aren't available by then.
Steam and sail freighters, based on the original King Haarahld VII combined power design, could get to SC in ~4 5days, and could be built far faster and cheaper than the improved design, for critical cargoes, including troop transports and fleet colliers.
Even averaging 15 mph its at least 28 days to Maikelberg one way from SC [~11,000 miles], or 2+ month's including loading etc, but still more than twice as fast as sail alone.
I don't see the M96 being critical to beating the IHA [TMHoGatA] if its split up into quarters, given the role I see for the flight 2 ironclads etc, on the Daivyn and Lake Isyk, as well as the Dairnyth canal etc.
However RFC may just have something a bit different in mind.
OTOH, we'll be lucky HFQ will be ready by April.
L
Alistair wrote:Charis is about to move to ten round rifles and smokeless powder-
Possibly if they are lucky they could field a small force equipped with these new rifles by early summer.
My question given a force of say 10,000 Charis troops equipped with a standard load of mortars artillery etc with these new rifles /pistols going up against Temple troops equipped with their new rifle and artillery what would the odds be for the "Temple boys" to win on Defence and on attack.
(I realise a lot depends on moral logistics intelligence and terrain as well as the competency of Generals in question) but as a a guesstimate how good will these new rifles with there smokeless powder be?
Anyone with any knowledge of historical battles to give any insights?
