Adaptation

The Aptierung (adapted from the Latin. Aptare = exactly make fit, make appropriate) is a method of modernizing (i. D. R. technical) devices by replacing or machining of parts to give the whole ensemble and function. It can therefore be understood as an adaptation for further use, while the adaptation rather describes the change for conversion, i.e. H. with the possible loss of the original function. The word is primarily used as a terminus technicus , everyday use is obsolete ( Duden Foreign Dictionary 1960). The path of conversion is usually taken in order to save costs compared to a new acquisition. In industrial applications, the reduced effort involved in an amendment approval process compared to a complete new approval also plays a role. Since modified devices i. d. As a rule, not fully achieving the standard of a new device, a cost / benefit analysis is required in each individual case. For systems that either have long creation times or for which a very long-term use is sought, the option of adaptation can be included in the initial planning. A classic example is the building of warships in the second half of the 19th century, as technical development progressed very quickly compared to the often multi-year planning and construction times and therefore required ongoing adjustments.

Everyday examples

• Installation of an electric motor in a sewing machine with foot operation, in which the pedal remains as an on / off switch

• Conversion of a lawnmower from gasoline to electric operation

• Retrofitting a car with a catalytic converter

• Replacing the injection and ignition system of an engine to optimize combustion

Edged weapons

Edged weapons were modified in accordance with the military's amendment regulations. The adaptation of these weapons concerned the exchange of blades or other components of the edged weapons . That is, for example, that a saber in which according to regulations of a blade length was 80 cm permitted, a provision cm on change to the new permitted length of 70, the blade and the corresponding sheath is shortened cm to 10th

In the case of edged or service weapons, the necessary changes relate to:

• blade
• Scabbard
• Parry or basket
• Carrying device

The changes in these cases are rather minor. If more serious changes are made (e.g. completely new blade or basket shapes) this process is called transformation.

Firearms

The term adaptation is most often used in connection with (hand) firearms. Today it usually refers to modifications to an existing weapon with the aim of switching to a different ammunition , e.g. B. from short to long cartridges, rim to center fire or changes in caliber that are not too large . The adaptation was of greatest importance in the 19th century following the Napoleonic Wars . The very rapid development allowed neither time nor financially the complete change of the armament through new acquisition, which is why i. d. Usually at least the old stock (reserve) has been modernized through adaptation. The simplest and most common adaptation was from flintlock to percussion lock . All that was required was to replace the cock head, which had previously contained the flint, with a simple hammer, remove the pan lid with the battery (ignition surface) and weld a piston onto the ignition pan to hold primers. In Prussia, the switch to internal ignition competed in the form of the Dreyse ignition needle lock , initially as a muzzle loader , later as a breech loader ( ignition needle rifle model 41). Because of the significantly higher effort, this was only planned or carried out as an alternative from 1839 and only from 1856 for all weapons. Outside of Prussia, percussion weapons were i. d. Typically adapted to the Minié system (towed muzzle loader). In Britain, old stocks of classical Vorderlader- were musket Enfield Rifled Musket on Snider-Enfield with percussion ignition and door lock (rear loader) converted. It can be assumed that many weapons had to undergo several adaptations before they were finally retired. The last major change by adaptation took place in Germany from 1870 (interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War ) when the existing needle guns received the modified lock according to Beck, which made handling easier and reduced known malfunctions. The basic principle corresponds to today guns applied with screw caps obturator according deBange.

literature

• John Beeler: Birth of the Battleship. British capital ship design, 1870–1881. Chatham Publishing, London 2001, ISBN 1-86176-167-8 .
• Rolf Wirtgen: The needle gun. A military-technical revolution in the 19th century. Mittler, Herford et al. 1991, ISBN 3-8132-0380-8 ( Defense technology and scientific weapon science 7), exhibition catalog.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Gerhard Seifert: Technical terms of the edged weapons knowledge. German ABC of the European naked defensive weapons. (Cut, thrust, hit and hand thrown weapons). Verlag Seifert, Haig 1981.