Name of Detail.Posts.Chief of detachment (sergeant).Two yards in rear of the breech,facing it.Gunner (duly qualified corporalNear the azimuth subscaleor private).facing the mortar.Breech detail (two privates,In line immediately in rear ofNos. 1 and 2).the breech, facing it, No. 1on the right.Sponge and rammer detail (twoAt the sponge and rammer,privates, Nos. 3 and 4).facing the mortar.Elevating detail (two privates,At the elevating hand-wheels,Nos. 5 and 6).facing them, No. 5 on theright of the carriage, No. 6on the left.Traversing detail (two privates,At the traversing-cranks, facingNos. 7 and 8).the mortar, No. 7 at the rightcrank, No. 8 at the left.Truck detail (two privates,In the gallery, near the entrance,Nos. 9 and 10).in the rear of and facing aloaded truck, No. 9 on theright, No. 10 on the left.
The posts of the gun detachment as given above are for inspection and preparatory to the service of the mortar.
Q. State in brief what equipments or implements each procures and places in proper positions.
A. No. 1: Oil-can, hand-sponge, and silk wiper.No. 2: Silk wiper.No. 3: Long lanyard, bore and chamber sponge.No. 4: Rammer.No. 5: Wrench for filling plug.No. 6: Wrench for filling plug, measure and funnel.No. 8: Primer-pouch, bag, scabbard, etc.
Q. How is a breech-block opened and closed?
A. In the same manner as for the 8-, 10-, and 12-inch guns.
Q. What does each member of the detachment inspect ortest with a view of cleaning or oiling, if necessary, at the command "Examine gun!"?
A. Chief: Mortar in general.
Gunner: Azimuth subscale and traversing-gear.
No. 1: Breech-block and breech mechanism.
No. 2: Bore, chamber, gas-check seat, and breech-recess.
No. 3: Lanyard. (He coils it properly.)
No. 4: Muzzle-cover. (Removes it and places it aside.)
Nos. 5 and 6: Elevating-gear and recoil-cylinders.
Nos. 7 and 8: Traversing-gear. No. 8 clears vent and wipes primer-seat.
Nos. 9 and 10: Trucks.
Q. After examining gun, what changes in posts are made?
A. The chief of detachment and gunner go wherever their presence is necessary. No. 7 takes post at the door of the cartridge-room.
Q. Give the duties of each member of the detachment at the command "Load!"
A. Gun commander operates switches and firing-plug. Observes all detachments.
Chief generally supervises the proper loading of his piece, signals "Ready" or "Misfire," etc.
Gunner gives the piece the proper azimuth, signals "Azimuth set" to the chief.
No. 1 assists in opening and closing breech. Examines or oils, if necessary, the breech-block and gas-check. Assists in ramming.
No. 2 assists in opening and closing breech. Examines or oils, if necessary, the gas-check seat and breech-recess. Commands "Home!", "Ram!" Assists in ramming. Observes the scale on the rammer. Inserts loading-tray and withdraws same. Pushes cartridge properly into chamber. After firing, assisted by No. 5, sponges chamber and bore.
No. 3 assists in ramming. If firing by lanyard be used, he attaches the long lanyard to the short one and, after the piece iselevated, hooks the short lanyard to eye of firing-leaf and fires at the command. After firing, brings bore and chamber-sponge and assists No. 2 in sponging. Replaces sponge.
No. 4 brings up rammer, and places its head on the base of the projectile. Assists in ramming. Replaces rammer.
Nos. 5 and 6 give elevation at command of chief. (No. 5 operates the clamp and lock.) Assists in ramming.
After piece is fired, brings piece to 0° elevation.
No. 7 brings up cartridge and takes post at traverse-crank. On taking cover he returns to cartridge-room.
No. 8 inserts and removes primers.
Nos. 7 and 8 traverse the mortar at the signal of the gunner.
Nos. 9 and 10 bring up loaded trucks.
Q. What are the positions for ramming?
A. Nos. 1, 3, and 5 on right, Nos. 2, 4, and 6 on left, all facing rammer. The projectile is rammed home in one motion.
Q. In taking cover, what is the order of formation in rear of pits?
A. They take cover as shown in the following diagram:
Mortar No. 4Mortar No. 2" Â Â Â Â Â " Â Â Â 3" Â Â Â Â Â " Â Â Â 1{8, 6, 5, G.}{8, 6, 5, G.}4th detachment{ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â }2d detachment{ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â }{4, 3, 2, 1 }{4, 3, 2, 1 }{8, 6, 5, G.}{8, 6, 5, G.}3d detachment{ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â }1st detachment{ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â }{4, 3, 2, 1 }{4, 3, 2, 1 }
Q. What comprises an ammunition detachment?
A. One chief, two corporals, and sixteen privates.
Q. Name the details.
A. Projectile: One corporal and Nos. 1 to 12.Cartridge: One corporal and Nos. 13 to 16.
Q. Give their duties in brief.
A. The chief has general supervision and is responsible for the proper supply of ammunition.
Nos. 1 and 2 operate a trolley and pulley, and load trucks with shell.
Nos. 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8 operate other trolleys similarly.
Nos. 9, 10, 11, and 12 run up empty trucks, and when loaded return them to gallery entrance.
Nos. 13, 14, 15, and 16 pass designated cartridge to No. 7.
Note.—Where there are two magazines to an emplacement there is a separate detachment for each, composed of three non-commissioned officers and eight privates each. (Nos. 1 to 6 compose the projectile detail, and Nos. 7 and 8 the cartridge detail.)
Q. How does the drill for the 12-inch mortar carriage, model 1891, differ from that of model 1896?
A. Nos. 1 and 2 lift shell-tray from hoist-scoop to truck after ramming.
Nos. 5 and 6 man the shell-hoist and hand-wheel, in addition to assisting in ramming.
No. 6 returns to hoist hand-wheel after ramming, and lowers scoop when directed by No. 2.
Nos. 9 and 10 deliver shell on scoop, and return truck.
Q. What composes a gun detachment?
A. One chief, a gunner, and ten privates.
Q. What are their posts preparatory to inspection or service of the piece?
A. Chief of detachment, two yards in rear of the breech, facing it.
Gunner, sighting-platform.
No. 1, two feet to the right and rear of the breech, facing it.
No. 2, two feet to the left and rear of the breech, facing it.
No. 3, two yards in rear of the breech, facing it.
No. 4, at the elevating hand-wheel, facing it.
Nos. 5 and 6, at the serving-table at the rear side of the loading-platform, facing to the front, No. 5 on the right side, No. 6 on the left.
No. 7, on the gun-platform at the head of the steps leading to the cartridge-room.
No. 8, at the telautograph.
Nos. 9 and 10, on the banquette, facing the gun, No. 9 on the right.
Q. What implements or equipments do each procure?
A. Gunner: Sight and difference-chart.
No. 1: Silk wiper, lanyard, sponge and oil-can.
No. 2: Loading-tray and silk wiper.
No. 3: Rammer and prop.
No. 5: Plug-wrench, funnel and measure.
No. 6: Plug-wrench.
No. 7: Chamber-sponge and dummy-extractor.
Q. What does each inspect or test with a view to cleaning or oiling, if necessary, at the command "Examine gun!"?
A. Chief: Gun and carriage throughout.
Gunner: Sight-standard, sight, azimuth subscale, traversing- and elevating-gears.
No. 1: (Removes breech-cover) breech-block and breech mechanism, vent, lanyard (hangs lanyard on elevating-arm).
No. 2: Bore, chamber, gas-check seat, and breech recess, and cleans them if necessary.
No. 3: The sponges (hangs them up when necessary).
No. 4: (Removes muzzle-cover, etc.) elevating- and traversing-gears under gunner's direction.
Nos. 5 and 6: Recoil-cylinders.
No. 7 passes up funnel and oil-measure when used.
No. 8: Telautograph or telephone.
Q. Give in brief the duties of each at the command "Load!"
A. Those of chief and gunner are practically the same as for the 8-inch disappearing.
No. 1 opens breech (by one continuous motion). Inserts aprimer and takes lanyard. Closes breech. Fires at the signal. After piece is fired coils lanyard, and opens breech and removes primer.
No. 2 inserts loading-tray. Inserts cartridge by hand.
No. 3 rams projectile home. Replaces rammer. Operates tripping-lever, and trips at the command. After piece is fired sponges chamber.
No. 4 sets the elevation, signalling "Elevation set" by holding one hand at height of head until signal "Ready" is made by chief.
Nos. 5 and 6 alternate in bringing up projectiles and placing them on the loading-tray.
No. 7 receives a cartridge from No. 4 or No. 5 of the ammunition detachment. Passes it to No. 2. Closes safety-switch when gun is in battery.
No. 8 calls out and posts data received.
Nos. 9 and 10 receive projectiles from a truck and place them on serving-table.
Q. How is a dummy charge unloaded?
A. The chief of detachment commands: "Unload!"
No. 1 opens the breech.
No. 2 inserts the loading-tray, withdraws the cartridge and passes it to No. 7, and, as soon as the projectile is withdrawn, removes the loading-tray.
No. 3 brings up the extractor, pulls the projectile on to the loading-tray, and replaces the extractor.
No. 5 withdraws the projectile and returns it to the serving-table.
No 7 carries the cartridge to the steps and passes it to No. 4 or No. 5 of the ammunition detachment.
Q. How is the piece retracted?
A. The chief of detachment commands: (1) "From battery!"; (2) "Heave!"; (3) "Halt!" At the first command No. 3 goes to the retraction-crank and operates the pawl and speed-crank to permit the pulling out of the ropes. Nos. 5 and 6 mount on thecarriage and place the loops of the ropes on the hooks. Nos. 1 and 2 pull out the ropes and pass the ends to Nos. 5 and 6. No. 3 takes in the slack. Nos. 3 and 4 take positions at the retraction-crank, and at the second command turn the crank. Nos. 5 and 6 relieve Nos. 3 and 4 when directed by the chief of detachment. When the gun has reached the loading position the command "Halt!" is given. At the command "Cast off!" No. 3 lets out enough slack to enable Nos. 1 and 2 to take the loops off the hooks.
Q. In an emplacement provided with an ammunition-hoist what changes in the above drill are made?
A. Nos. 5 and 6 serve projectiles from a loaded truck placed in rear of the gun.
Nos. 9 and 10 are posted at the delivery-table, and run loaded trucks to Nos. 5 and 6, returning empty ones.
Q. What composes an ammunition detachment?
A. One chief and five privates. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in the shell-room, and Nos. 4 and 5 in the cartridge-room.
Q. Give their duties in brief.
A. The chief exercises general supervision.
Nos. 1 and 2 load trucks.
No. 3 runs up trucks convenient to the rear of gun, and returns them to shell-room.
Nos. 4 and 5 uncase cartridges and pass them to No. 7.
Note.—Owing to the comparative simplicity and the similarity of drill of almost all smaller-calibered pieces they are omitted in this work.
For definite details in the drill for 6-inch Pedestal, 5-inch Balanced Pillar, 4·7-inch Quick-firing, 15-pounder and 6-pounder Rapid-fire Guns, see Coast Artillery Drill Regulations.
Q. What are projectiles?
A. They correspond to the bullets in small-arm cartridges.
Q. Why are projectiles made oblong and guns rifled?
A. To prevent the projectile from tumbling, thereby securing greater penetration, and better results in accuracy of fire.
Q. What is the difference between guns and mortars?
A. Guns are long in comparison with their calibers, mortars are short in comparison with their calibers.
Q. What is meant by a built-up gun?
A. One that is composed of several cylindrical forgings separately shrunk one over the other.
Q. Why are these forgings shrunk on?
A. To give an initial compression to the steel toward the bore, such that the strength of the gun to resist the pressure of the powder-gas will be increased.
Q. Name the principal parts of a built-up gun.
A. The tube, jacket, hoops, and trunnion-band. (See Figs. 5, 6, and 23.)
BUILT UP GUN.Fig. 5.
BUILT UP GUN.Fig. 5.
BUILT UP GUN.Fig. 5.
Q. What is a wire-wound gun?
A. One in which wire takes the place of the jacket and hoops and is wound over the tube. The wire is really in the form of aribbon.
Q. Define the breech-reinforce.
A. That portion of the gun between the rear of the trunnion-band and the front of the breech. (Fig. 5.)
Q. Define the chase.
A. That portion of the gun between the front of the trunnion-band and the muzzle. (Fig. 5.)
Q. What is a barbette gun?
A. One that fires over a parapet.
Q. What two classes of barbette guns are there?
A. Barbette disappearing and barbette non-disappearing.
Q. What is the center of gravity?
A. That point where, if the gun were pivoted, it would balance. It is always near the trunnions.
Q. What is the difference between front-pintle and center-pintle carriages?
A. Front pintle is where the gun traverses about a point in the front part of the carriage; center pintle where it traverses about a point in the center of the carriage.
Q. What is a rack?
A. A bar or arc having teeth that engage in a gear-wheel or worm. (See Fig. 7.)
Q. What is a gear-wheel?
A. A wheel with teeth on the circumference.
Q. What is a bevel-gear?
A. Two wheels whose axles are at an angle to each other and whose teeth engage. (Fig. 8.)
Q. What is a miter-gear?
A. A bevel-gear with axles of equal-sized wheels at right angles. (Fig. 9.)
Q. What is a worm?
A. A gear-wheel in the form of a continuous screw. (Fig. 10.)
Q. What is a sprocket-wheel?
A. A toothed wheel that engages the links of a chain. (Fig. 11.)
Q. What is a spur-wheel?
A. A gear-wheel with teeth parallel with the axle of thewheel. If in Fig. 7 the rack were in form of a wheel, it would be a spur-wheel. (The pinion is also a spur-wheel.)
RACK AND PINION.Fig. 7.MITRE GEAR.Fig. 9.BEVEL GEAR.Fig. 8.WORM GEAR.Fig. 10.SPROCKET WHEEL AND CHAIN.Fig. 11.
RACK AND PINION.Fig. 7.MITRE GEAR.Fig. 9.BEVEL GEAR.Fig. 8.WORM GEAR.Fig. 10.SPROCKET WHEEL AND CHAIN.Fig. 11.
RACK AND PINION.Fig. 7.MITRE GEAR.Fig. 9.BEVEL GEAR.Fig. 8.WORM GEAR.Fig. 10.SPROCKET WHEEL AND CHAIN.Fig. 11.
Q. Point out or describe the location of the following parts of a seacoast carriage:
Base-ring.Foundation-bolts.Leveling-bolts.Upper-roller path.Lower-roller path.Traversing-rack.Conical rollers.Distance-ring.Dust-guard.Racer.Chassis.Top-carriage.Recoil-cylinder.Piston.Piston-head.Throttling-bars.Followers.Stuffing-box.Packing.Guide-hooks.Trunnion-bed.Trunnions.Kim-base.Cap-squares.Cap-square bolts.Elevating mechanism.Traversing mechanism.Azimuth circle.Azimuth indicator.Retraction-gear.Sight standard.Shot-hoist.Crane.Shot-hoist drum.Pawl.Elevating-arc.Recoil-rollers.Chassis-rails.Gun-shield support.Loading-platform.Elevating-shaft.
Base-ring.Foundation-bolts.Leveling-bolts.Upper-roller path.Lower-roller path.Traversing-rack.Conical rollers.Distance-ring.Dust-guard.Racer.Chassis.Top-carriage.Recoil-cylinder.Piston.Piston-head.Throttling-bars.Followers.Stuffing-box.Packing.Guide-hooks.Trunnion-bed.Trunnions.Kim-base.Cap-squares.Cap-square bolts.Elevating mechanism.Traversing mechanism.Azimuth circle.Azimuth indicator.Retraction-gear.Sight standard.Shot-hoist.Crane.Shot-hoist drum.Pawl.Elevating-arc.Recoil-rollers.Chassis-rails.Gun-shield support.Loading-platform.Elevating-shaft.
Extra for R. F. guns:
Pillar-base.Shoulder-rest.Electric batteries.Pistol-grip.Range-drum.
Pillar-base.Shoulder-rest.Electric batteries.Pistol-grip.Range-drum.
Extra for disappearing guns:
Gun-lever.Lever-axle.Counterweight-shaft.Counterweight.Cross-head.Cross-head guides.Cross-head rack.Tripping-bars.Counter-recoil-buffers.Gunner's platform.Retraction-ropes.Extra recoil-buffers.Electric traversing-controller.Electric elevating-controller.
Gun-lever.Lever-axle.Counterweight-shaft.Counterweight.Cross-head.Cross-head guides.Cross-head rack.Tripping-bars.Counter-recoil-buffers.Gunner's platform.Retraction-ropes.Extra recoil-buffers.Electric traversing-controller.Electric elevating-controller.
A. See Figs. 12 to 22 inclusive.
Q. Point out or describe the location of the following parts of the gun and breech mechanism of 8" and 12", Model 1888:
Bore.Shot-chamber.Muzzle.Powder-chamber.Forcing-cone.Screw-box.Breech-block.Mushroom head.Spindle.Gas-check pad.Vent.Hinge-pin.Rotating-crank.Translating-roller.Tray.Breech-plate.Slotted sectors.Screw sectors.Pinion- and gear-segment.Vent-bushing.Filling-in disc.Exterior ring.Interior ring.Vent-cover.Rotating-crank catch.Obturator-spindle.Obturator-spindle nut.Locking-nut.Translating-stud.Guide-rails of tray.Tray-latch.Securing-latch.Securing-latch catch.Rotating-ring.Rotating-pinion.
Bore.Shot-chamber.Muzzle.Powder-chamber.Forcing-cone.Screw-box.Breech-block.Mushroom head.Spindle.Gas-check pad.Vent.Hinge-pin.Rotating-crank.Translating-roller.Tray.Breech-plate.Slotted sectors.Screw sectors.Pinion- and gear-segment.Vent-bushing.Filling-in disc.Exterior ring.Interior ring.Vent-cover.Rotating-crank catch.Obturator-spindle.Obturator-spindle nut.Locking-nut.Translating-stud.Guide-rails of tray.Tray-latch.Securing-latch.Securing-latch catch.Rotating-ring.Rotating-pinion.
12" DISAPPEARING. (From Battery.)Fig. 12.
12" DISAPPEARING. (From Battery.)Fig. 12.
12" DISAPPEARING. (From Battery.)
Fig. 12.
12" DISAPPEARING. (in Battery.)Fig. 13.
12" DISAPPEARING. (in Battery.)Fig. 13.
12" DISAPPEARING. (in Battery.)
Fig. 13.
12" BARBETTE NON-DISAPPEARING.Fig. 14.
12" BARBETTE NON-DISAPPEARING.Fig. 14.
12" BARBETTE NON-DISAPPEARING.
Fig. 14.
UNITED STATES CARRIAGEMODEL OF 1896FOR12 INCH B.L. MORTAR.(Steel)Fig. 15.
UNITED STATES CARRIAGEMODEL OF 1896FOR12 INCH B.L. MORTAR.(Steel)Fig. 15.
UNITED STATES CARRIAGEMODEL OF 1896FOR12 INCH B.L. MORTAR.(Steel)
Fig. 15.
LATEST MODEL 12" DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE AND GUN.Fig. 16.
LATEST MODEL 12" DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE AND GUN.Fig. 16.
LATEST MODEL 12" DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE AND GUN.
Fig. 16.
3" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 17.
3" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 17.
3" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)
Fig. 17.
5" RAPID FIRE. (Balanced Pillar Mount.)Fig. 18.
5" RAPID FIRE. (Balanced Pillar Mount.)Fig. 18.
5" RAPID FIRE. (Balanced Pillar Mount.)
Fig. 18.
3-INCH R.F. GUN (Masking Parapet Mount).Fig. 19.
3-INCH R.F. GUN (Masking Parapet Mount).Fig. 19.
3-INCH R.F. GUN (Masking Parapet Mount).
Fig. 19.
4.7 INCH 120 m/m Q.F. GUN ON CENTRE PIVOT PEDESTAL MOUNTING.Fig. 20.
4.7 INCH 120 m/m Q.F. GUN ON CENTRE PIVOT PEDESTAL MOUNTING.Fig. 20.
4.7 INCH 120 m/m Q.F. GUN ON CENTRE PIVOT PEDESTAL MOUNTING.
Fig. 20.
4.7" Q.F. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 21.
4.7" Q.F. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 21.
4.7" Q.F. (Pedestal Mount.)
Fig. 21.
5" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 22.
5" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)Fig. 22.
5" RAPID-FIRE GUN. (Pedestal Mount.)
Fig. 22.
(Continued from Q. on page 40).
For continuous-motion or "Stockett" mechanism the following:
Spiral-gear.Crank.Worm-shaft.Worm.Worm-wheel.Catch-bolt.Spring-bolt.Tray-latch catch.Spindle-ball bearing.
Spiral-gear.Crank.Worm-shaft.Worm.Worm-wheel.Catch-bolt.Spring-bolt.Tray-latch catch.Spindle-ball bearing.
A. See Figs, 1, 2, 3, 4, 23.
CONTINUOUS MOTION BREECH MECHANISM.Fig. 23.
CONTINUOUS MOTION BREECH MECHANISM.Fig. 23.
CONTINUOUS MOTION BREECH MECHANISM.
Fig. 23.
Q. Point out or describe the location of the following parts of the 5" R.F. breech mechanism:
Block-carrier.Hinge-pin.Spindle-key.Latch-bolt.Latch-lever.Lever.Pinion.Breech-block.Gear-segment.Vent-bushing (copper).Exterior split ring (front).Exterior split ring (rear).Interior split ring.Gas-check pad.Filling-in disc.Tripping-stud.Latch-bolt seat.Slide-housing.Slide-stop.Slide.Slide-handle.Contact-plate.Firing-leaf.Circuit-breaker housing.Circuit-breaker spring.Circuit-breaker contact-pin.Firing-cable.
Block-carrier.Hinge-pin.Spindle-key.Latch-bolt.Latch-lever.Lever.Pinion.Breech-block.Gear-segment.Vent-bushing (copper).Exterior split ring (front).Exterior split ring (rear).Interior split ring.Gas-check pad.Filling-in disc.Tripping-stud.Latch-bolt seat.Slide-housing.Slide-stop.Slide.Slide-handle.Contact-plate.Firing-leaf.Circuit-breaker housing.Circuit-breaker spring.Circuit-breaker contact-pin.Firing-cable.
A. See Figs. 24 and 25.
Q. Point out or describe the following parts of the 4·7-inch quick-firing breech mechanism: Carrier-link, spindle, hand-lockinglever, firing-pin, spring-catch, sliding-block, retaining-nut, bolt.
A. See Figs. 26 and 27.
5" R.F. GUN. SHOWING BREECH MECHANISM.Fig.24.
5" R.F. GUN. SHOWING BREECH MECHANISM.Fig.24.
5" R.F. GUN. SHOWING BREECH MECHANISM.
Fig.24.
Q. Explain briefly how a breech-block of a heavy gun or mortar is dismantled.
A. The breech being open, remove the locking-nut and spindle-nut, place a block of wood against the spindle and gently hammer the mushroom head free from the gas-check pad, thenremove it by hand. Pry the exterior and interior split rings free from the gas-check pad and remove them, also the filling-in disc. The spindle-washers can be removed at any time. The parts are assembled as follows: Adjust in the following order: the gas-check pad, exterior and interior split rings, filling-in disc, and spindle-washers. The spindle-washers must be put on after the spindle is put in. Then gently insert the spindle and screw on the locking- and spindle-nuts as prescribed for adjusting the gas-check pad.
5" R.F. GUN AND BREECH MECHANISM.Fig. 25.
5" R.F. GUN AND BREECH MECHANISM.Fig. 25.
5" R.F. GUN AND BREECH MECHANISM.
Fig. 25.
4.7 INCH 120m/m QUICK FIRING GUN.Fig. 26.
4.7 INCH 120m/m QUICK FIRING GUN.Fig. 26.
4.7 INCH 120m/m QUICK FIRING GUN.
Fig. 26.
4.7 INCH.BREECH CLOSING AND FIRING GEAR.Fig. 27.
4.7 INCH.BREECH CLOSING AND FIRING GEAR.Fig. 27.
4.7 INCH.
BREECH CLOSING AND FIRING GEAR.
Fig. 27.
Q. Point out or describe the following parts of the one-pounder subcaliber tube for the 12" B. L. R., model 1895:
Gun.Adapter clamp-wedge.Clamp-wedge screw.Thread clamp-screw.Rear adapter.Center support.Front adapter.Adjusting-wrench.Clamping-wrench.Locating-gauge.Clip-extractor.Obturator spindle-plate.
Gun.Adapter clamp-wedge.Clamp-wedge screw.Thread clamp-screw.Rear adapter.Center support.Front adapter.Adjusting-wrench.Clamping-wrench.Locating-gauge.Clip-extractor.Obturator spindle-plate.
A. See Fig. 28.
ONE-POUNDER SUBCALIBER TUBE.Fig. 28.
ONE-POUNDER SUBCALIBER TUBE.Fig. 28.
ONE-POUNDER SUBCALIBER TUBE.
Fig. 28.
Q. How should gas-check pads be adjusted before firing?
A. First: Close the breech.
Second: Loosen spindle and locking-nuts.
Third: Rotate block half-way.
Fourth: Tighten spindle and locking-nuts in the usual manner, rotate the breech-block home, and pad is adjusted.
Q. How far should a projectile be rammed?
A. Until the zero of the brass ring on the rammer comes flush with the face of the breech-plate. (See Fig. 29.)
SCALE ON RAMMER, TO INDICATEPROPER TRAVEL OF PROJECTILEFOR 8"-10"-12" RIFLE AND12"-MORTARSFig. 29.
SCALE ON RAMMER, TO INDICATEPROPER TRAVEL OF PROJECTILEFOR 8"-10"-12" RIFLE AND12"-MORTARSFig. 29.
SCALE ON RAMMER, TO INDICATEPROPER TRAVEL OF PROJECTILEFOR 8"-10"-12" RIFLE AND12"-MORTARS
Fig. 29.
Q. Describe how to set the azimuth indicator-plate for a given azimuth.
A. Traverse the gun until the mark on the indicator-plate representing the number of hundredths is opposite the mark on the azimuth circle representing the number of degrees. In Fig. 30 the gun is set at 104°.05.
Fig. 30.
Fig. 30.
Fig. 30.
Q. How do you repack a stuffing-box?
A. If any of the old packing is used, it should be put in after the new. See that the stuffing-boxes are well cleaned and oiled.
Put on the piston-rod one ring of 1-inch Garlock's "waterproof hydraulic" packing, and force it well to the bottom of the stuffing-box by a wooden stick and mallet. Treat each layer of packing in a similar manner, being careful to break joints until five rings of new packing have been inserted, or an equal amount of new and old when any of the latter is used. Place the gland on the follower, enter them together in the box and screw up the follower.
No more force should be used on the spanner-wrench than that of two men, and generally that of one man is sufficient. The addition of the pipe to the end of the spanner-wrench should not be permitted.
Q. How do you remove old packing from recoil-cylinders?
A. Remove the gland and follower (using new extractor, to be furnished by the Ordnance Department). Close the extractor around the piston-rod and insert the locking-pin. Turn the extractor to the left, with pressure on the packing, until the needles are firmly engaged in the packing. Draw the packing out, turning slowly to the left. In the case of a box with interior thread, and if the ring is tight, it should be unscrewed and not stripped out by the thread, because unless unscrewed it would catch upon and be injured by the thread.
Extractor-bars are provided to be used for starting the packing from its seat, and by inserting the toes of the bar in the rack-teeth and prying over the edge of the box, being careful not to injure the thread.
Q. What is the object of the throttling-valve?
A. To regulate the flow of oil from the front to the rear of the recoil-cylinders. (See Fig. 31.)
Q. What precautions should be taken where the throttling-valve is provided?
GENERAL METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ENERGY OF RECOIL IN GUN CARRIAGES.Fig. 31.
GENERAL METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ENERGY OF RECOIL IN GUN CARRIAGES.Fig. 31.
GENERAL METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ENERGY OF RECOIL IN GUN CARRIAGES.
Fig. 31.
A. That there is a lock on the valve to prevent any one from changing the setting without authority.
Q. Give some general directions for the care and preservation of guns and gun-carriages.
A. All guns and carriages should be elevated and traversed to their full limits daily. Ordinarily a gun and carriage should be painted at least once a year. However, climatic conditions may vary this rule. Sperm-oil, cosmic or light slushing oil should never be applied to a surface that has a suspicion of grit, moisture, or rust upon it. Brass gearing should have a thin film of sperm-oil or synovial oil on it. All oil-holes and recoil-cylinders should be examined daily at the beginning of drill. Special attention should be given to grease-cups on disappearing guns to see that they function properly. Retraction-ropes should be kept oiled and cleaned. No part of the carriage should at any time be allowed to rust, and if the carriage is to remain unused for short intervals, all bright and bearing parts should be covered with a thick coat of light slushing oil or cosmic. If the carriage is to remain unused for long intervals, the cosmic should be mixed with 25 per cent of resin. The mixture is well adapted for the purpose, but must be renewed from time to time. The rollers and roller-paths should be cleaned and covered with slush oil, and the space between the dust-guard and base-ring should be filled with waste or oakum to keep out dust, and wrench-holes inside base-ring should be plugged tightly with fitted wooden blocks.
To oil bore, use is made of an ordinary counter-brush secured to the end of a rod and provided with a half-disc of wood to keep the brush against the bore. By this means any required thickness of the mixture may be applied. The brush-rod is, for the rifles, fitted with a socket for connecting it with the special sponge-staff. For mortars the brush is supplied with a special handle. As a rule, the cosmic and resin mixture can be sufficiently removed from the bore for firing by using the scraper alone, this being a semicircular disc of iron.
Q. Describe throttling bars.
A. Bars of steel bolted on the sides of recoil cylinders. (The bolt heads can be seen on the outside of the cylinders.)
The piston head is slotted to receive the bars as shown in Fig. 31, and the bars are thicker at one end than at the other, this varies the amount of oil that can pass through the piston head slots and therefore the pressure keeps uniform.
(Extract from War Department, 1905.)
Circular}No. 48. Â Â }
Light slushing-oil will be used on the different parts of breech mechanisms, including the threads on the block and in the breech recess, in bores of guns, and on all other bright steel or iron surfaces of mobile and seacoast armament, as a preservative when the material is to remain unused for an appreciable length of time. The slushing-oil will replace synovial oil as a lubricant for cross-head guides, etc., which should be given a light coating only. The use of light slushing-oil as a lubricant on breech mechanisms, including the threads on the block and in the breech recess, is forbidden: synovial oil will be used exclusively for lubricating the different surfaces of breech mechanisms, including the threads on the block and in the breech recess, on translating-screws and rollers, and in all oil-holes and on gears, etc., of carriages. Number 4½ lubricant only will be used in grease-cups. If exposed to rain within thirty hours after its application, all surfaces should be carefully examined and recoated if necessary. It can be applied by means of paint-brushes known as sash-tools No. 6, issued for that purpose. Except in very cold weather it can be applied in a thin uniform coat by using the brush, as when painting. During cold weather it should be applied by stippling—i.e., lightly tapping the surface with the end of the brush—the brush being held perpendicular to the surface to be covered. It can be applied to the bores of guns by means of the slush-brush issuedfor the purpose. In cold weather it should be warmed before being applied to the bores of guns.In all cases it should be applied in a thin coat, since this is all that is necessary to give good protection.
This oil can be readily removed by the use of burlap or waste dipped in kerosene oil. Lye dissolved in hot water and used while hot will also remove it, but not as satisfactorily as kerosene oil. In order to reduce the amount of kerosene oil to be used for its removal, a thick coating of slushing-oil when present should first be removed with a scraper before applying the kerosene.
Water without the addition of lye or kerosene should be used for cleaning bores of guns after firing. They should be permitted to drain and then be wiped dry before applying the slushing-oil.
Before applying the slushing-oil to any surface it should be thoroughly cleaned so as to be free from rust, water, kerosene oil, lubricating-oil, etc., as their presence will cause rusting underneath the slushing-oil. If applied to an oiled surface, the slushing-oil has been found to run off when heated.
On account of the superior protection afforded by this material it will not be necessary to completely remove it for inspection purposes as frequently as has been found necessary with the protecting materials heretofore used. Its frequent removal from a limited area will serve as an indication of the protection which is being afforded.
III. Mortars will hereafter be dismounted from their carriages once every twelve months, and the trunnions and trunnion-beds thoroughly cleaned, including the oil-grooves in the trunnion-bed liners.
The counter-recoil springs will at the same time be dismounted, the old paint removed, and each spring given two coats of new paint. The spring should not be reassembled until the paint is dry.
By order of the Acting Secretary of War: