elocity consist in a bending and deformation of the tip; in
the higher degrees, of bending, shortening, extensive destruction, or
complete fragmentation. If the bullet makes lateral impact, only
widening and flattening result, often with the escape of the lead core
from the mantle. That a ricochet bullet may travel a considerable
distance is shown by the following observations quoted from Nimier and
Laval.[10]

[Illustration: FIG. 26.--Sections of four Bullets to show relative shape
and thickness of mantles.

From left to right: 1. Guedes; regular dome-shaped tip; mild steel
mantle; thickness at tip 0.8 mm.; at sides of body 0.3 mm. 2.
Lee-Metford; ogival tip; cupro-nickel mantle; thickness at tip 0.8 mm.;
gradual decrease at sides to 0.4 mm. 3. Mauser; pointed dome tip, steel
mantle plated with copper alloy; thickness at tip 0.8 mm.; gradual
decrease at sides to 0.4 mm. 4. Krag-Joergensen; ogival tip as in
Lee-Metford; steel mantle plated with cupro-nickel; thickness at tip 0.6
mm.; gradual decrease at sides to 0.4 mm. The measurements of the sides
are taken 2.5 cm. from the tip. Note the more gradual thinning in the
Lee-Metford mantle.]

Up to a distance of 1,700 to 1,800 metres the bullet may make several
ricochet bounds. When the bullet strikes first at short distances (as
600 metres), it may make several bounds of from 300 to 400 metres: at
moderate distances (as from 600 to 1,200 metres), bounds of 200 to 300
metres; and at distances above 1,200 metres, bounds of 100 to 200
metres. The length of the ricochet bounds depends on the angle of impact
of the bullet with the ground, the nature of the slope of the latter,
and the velocity of the bullet.

Putting aside the question of calibre and volume of the bullets we are
concerned with, I believe the most important variations as serious
effects of ricochet depend on the relative thickness and the composition
of the mantles. Fig. 26 illustrates the relative thickness of the
mantles in the Krag-Joergensen, Mauser, Lee-Metford, and Guedes bullets.
Given an equal degree of force and velocity on the part of the bullet at
the moment of impact, the assumption is justifiable that the thinner
mantles would tear or burst more readily in direct ratio to their
relative thinness. I believe this assumption to be borne out by my own
experience of the common deformities that occurred; but the great
relative frequency with which Mauser bullets came under my observation,
and the di