The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

 198 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. with three threaded parts and three interruptions. The obturator consists of a Schneider-Canet composite plastic elastic disc placed between the movable head and the front end of the breech-screw. The breech-block sup- port is mountecl on a vertical hinge, and it carries the block in its action. The hand-lever is jointed on the rear end of the breech-screw, and when the breech is completely closed, it fits in a hollow, as shown in Fig. 649. The end of the lever opposite from the handle is finished with a projection (Fig. 655); which, when the breech- block is unscrewed, lodges in a suitably-shaped catch on the rear end of the breech-screw support. This gives a bearing point to aid in withdrawing the breech-screw and pushing it aside. Firing is insured by a bolt made movable in the breech-screw, and which carries the striker ; this works under the action of a eatch-spring. To fire the gun when the breech is completely closed, the trigger is operated the centre line of the gun, during which time the pawl of the hand-lever slides in the groove made on the lower part of the rear end of the gun. When the unscrew- ing is completed, the jointed heel of the hand-lever is placed in the socket on the breech-screw support. The breech-screw can then be pulled back by means of the hand-lever, the joint of this bearing in the socket of the breech-block support, one of the clutch bolts becoming disengaged from the body of the gun, the other entering the breech-block. The mechanism can then be made to pivot to the side round the vertical hinge-bolt. To close the breech, the above actions are repeated inversely. Figs. 653 to 657 are various sections which explain the cletailed description of this mechanism. Two - Motion Breech Mechanism, with Friction- Tube Firing’ Device (Figs. 658 and 659, Plate CXV.).—- This breech-piece is of more recent application than the Figs. 653 to 657. by means of a line, the striker being driven forward by the working of the spring. A latch made with inclinée! planes, similar to that already mentioned in connection with the preceding type, serves to connect the support to the block, and to the gun. While the breech remains completely closed, a pawl which forms part of the movable hand-lever is maintained by a spring in a notch made in the part that covers the breech, thus preventing all accidentai opening. When the unscrewing motion has commenced, the heel of the firing latch slides on an inelined guide cut in the breech support ; the percussion lock is consequently removed from the vent as long as tho breech is not completely closed, thus doing away with all risk of prématuré fire. To open the breech, the hand-lever is pushed on its hinge, to press down the inside spring and disengage the pawl from the notch above i'eferred to. The lever is then turned round 60 degrees on a plane normal with preceding one ; it is based on the same principles, but is of a simpler design. The breech-screw is cylindrical. and firing is effeeted by friction. A description ol it is given, in order to point out the progress made since the date when this type of breech was first manufacturée!. The breech-block is provided with two threaded parts and two interruptions. The obturator consists of a plastic elastic composite disc, placed between the front end of the breech-screw and the movable head ; the latter is in one piece with its shank, the vent being in the centre and ending in the rear in a socket, in which is screwed the friction tube, a safety device preventing the insertion of tlie tube until the breech is completely closed. The breech-block is carried by a jointed support, which pivots round a hinge bolt placed to the left of the gun, the dimensions of the various parts being such that the pivoting to the side of the breech mechanism can take place without it being necessary to draw the