Chapter 452 This is not a coincidence

FN did have the idea of ​​improving the "Chauchat" to compete with the "Saint-Etienne 2" machine gun.

Because Boyata thought it over again and again, he believed that the only area where Charles might conflict with FN in the future was light machine guns.

In terms of rifles, Belgium has always been equipped with the German "Mauser", while Charles' arsenal produces the "Lebel".

There is no conflict between the two, especially since the Mauser is better than the Lebel, and the Belgian army is unlikely to replace it.

The pistol is a Browning, which is also more advanced than the French revolver.

Neither of these need to worry about being replaced by the Charr's arsenal, at least for now.

However, other equipment such as machine guns, artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, etc. are probably all controlled by Charles and you won't be able to squeeze in even if you try your best!

No, this can't be!

So Boyata introduced the "Chauchat" machine gun from France, which was considered a failure and facing obsolescence, hoping to improve it and compete with Charles again.

One of the reasons Boyata had the confidence to do this was that FN had a master of firearms design, Browning, who was known as a genius.

This is a competition between two geniuses, Boyata thought, how can we know who will win or lose if we don't try?

"Let's put it bluntly." Albert I put down his coffee cup and looked at Boyata expressionlessly: "If it were normal times, I would absolutely support your competition, because competition can bring progress. But now it is wartime, Mr. Boyata, our troops are waiting for the weapons from the arsenal to go to the battlefield. I hope you can cooperate with Charles."

"Cooperation?" Boyata was stunned. "Your Majesty, what level of cooperation do you want me to reach with Charles?"

"Charles plans to produce machine guns in Belgium," said Albert I. "But unfortunately, even with our full support, it may take several months to produce the machine guns, from site selection to factory construction and production line construction. We can't wait that long. The enemy is right in front of us, and we have to drive them out of our land!"

"You hope..." Boyata's face gradually turned pale: "You hope that our arsenal can produce machine guns for Charles?"

Albert I nodded. "I will be responsible for obtaining the 'authorized production' license from Charles, and your arsenal will be responsible for production. This only requires some changes to the rifle production line, and then we can immediately enter mass production. This is good for both of us, what do you think?"

Boyata's face was gloomy and it seemed that he had a hard time making a decision.

Albert I winked at Colonel Eden.

Colonel Eden understood and continued, "The troops really need this machine gun, Mr. Boyata. The biggest drawback of heavy machine guns is their weight. They are difficult to move quickly on the battlefield, and we are always at a disadvantage in artillery fire against the Germans. Heavy machine guns are almost synonymous with death, and light machine guns can solve this problem very well."

This was an embarrassment to the Belgian army, which faced this problem when they fought the Germans at the outbreak of World War I.

At that time, the Belgian army was only equipped with 102 Maxim heavy machine guns.

At first these heavy machine guns were treated as treasures, but they soon discovered that they were basically useless on the battlefield: as soon as the heavy machine gun fired, it would be immediately targeted by the German 77mm guns, and soon a barrage of shells would come and blow it and the machine gunner into the sky.

There is a huge gap in strength between the two sides. The weaker side is not suitable to use equipment with poor mobility, and they should fight guerrilla warfare.

Therefore, the demand for light machine guns was imminent.

"Your decision will save many lives," Albert I pleaded, "and even Belgium and your factory, Mr. Boyata!"

Boyata hesitated and replied, "I will seriously consider it, Your Majesty. Please give me some time."

"Of course." Albert I nodded with a smile.

Looking at Boyata's departing back, Colonel Eden was somewhat confused.

"Why should he hesitate?" said Colonel Eden. "That's the Shire. Everyone wants to work with the Shire."

"He thinks he has a chance to defeat Charles." Albert I smiled. "If he can monopolize the Belgian arms market, why should he share profits with Charles? Capitalists always think about maximizing their own interests. As for whether the war situation is urgent, whether it will cause more deaths, or even put the country in danger, these are not things they need to consider."

The fact is that the more dangerous the country is, the more money they can make, because then the country has to buy at a high price.

"Is he crazy?" Colonel Eden still couldn't believe it: "Defeat Charles? Defeat 'Saint-Etienne 2'? That is recognized as the best machine gun..."

"Because he has Browning, Colonel," replied Albert I.

Colonel Eden suddenly stopped talking, and a look of realization appeared on his face.

…

In fact, Boyata is not only because of Browning.

When he returned to the arsenal in Ghent, the first thing he did was to find Browning.

(The picture above shows John Moses Browning, an American, FN's chief firearms designer, who designed many famous guns)

Browning was already 60 years old at this time. Like Boyata, he was also an old man with white hair and beard. The difference was that Browning had a balder head.

Browning was testing the improved "Chauchat" at the shooting range, with several "Saint-Etienne 2" placed on the other side.

"How is it?" Boyata asked, "Is it possible to beat 'Saint-Etienne 2'?"

Browning shook his head helplessly: "It's almost impossible. The design of 'Saint-Etienne 2' is perfect. The turntable magazine solves the problem of ammunition capacity and bullet taper very well. Unless we use the same design, otherwise..."

"Then try to reduce its failure rate as much as possible." Boyata said in a deep voice.

Browning saw that Boyata looked a little strange and asked in confusion, "What happened?"

"Yeah." Boyata turned his eyes to the several "Saint-Etienne 2" in the corner: "They want us to produce this kind of machine gun."

Browning's face darkened.

This is almost to make FN admit defeat, to make him admit defeat, and to let them give up research and development.

"What do you think?" Boyata asked with a vicissitudes of life. Is it really true that no one can defeat Charles?

After thinking for a while, Browning calmly replied: "We have another advantage. FN is a local company. As long as the performance is not much different, the Belgian army will still choose our machine guns."

Boyata nodded in agreement.

This is a consideration of national security. Domestic military-industrial enterprises are easier to control, and Charles is a Frenchman.

Therefore, as long as the faults of the "Chauchat" machine gun are eliminated as much as possible, it is still possible for it to compete with the "Saint-Etienne 2".

But at this moment, the secretary stepped forward and said to Boyata: "Sir, we have just received a notice from the provisional government that since the documents were burned in the war, we need to reapply for a gun production license!"

Boyata looked at the secretary in astonishment. He believed that this was not a coincidence.

(End of this chapter)