The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

SINGLE-MOTION BREECH-MECHANISM. to o the cartridge-case, the extractor clutches pivot round their centres, and embrace the flange. The closing is complété only when the end of the supplementary lever worked by the handle has been placed in the notch of the stud screwed in the rear of the gun. To operate the firing device, it is sufficient to pull the straight arm of the catch by means of the firing line, or to act on the small firing lever held by the pointer. The finger of the cateh turns round to the rear, and by acting on the butt-end of the trigger and on the hammer, which can only move in a straight line, the firing spring is pressed clown ; escapement then takes place, and the hammer being freed is thrown forward under the action of its spring, and drives the striker against the fuse. At the same time, the working arm of the catch, by bearing against the piston of the safety device, drives it home by pressing down the counteracting spring. When the catcli is released, it has a tendency to resume its first position under the action of the safety piston ; it acts, therefore, owing t.o its projection, on the butt-end of the movable cylinder of the trigger. The latter is with- drawn, but is thrust out again immediately under the action of its spring, the two pieces again engaging each otlier. The device is then ready to repeat the firing action. Figs. 681 and 682 show in detail the shape of the varions parts, and the way in which they act. Fig. 680 is reproduced from a photograph of breech- blocks of this type for the current calibres of quick- firing Schneider-Canet guns of recent manufacture. Breech-Block for 65-Millimétré (2.559-In.), 50-Calibre Quick-Firing Schneider-Canet Gun (Figs. 683 to 685, Plate CXVIL).—In this breecli-closing arrangement, the clutch device for the working lever and the lateral rod for firing are not used. owing to the dimensions of the gun, which is fired solely by the firing line. Breech-Block for 10-Centimetre (3.937-In.), 50 Calibre Quick-Firing Schneider-Canet Gun.—This mechanism contains the clutch device for the working lever and the lateral firing lever. Breech-Block for 12-Centimetre (4.724-In.), 50 Calibre Quick-Firing Schneider-Canet Gun (Figs. 686 and 687, Plate CXVIII.).—Besides the varions parts described above, this breech-block is provided with a charging plate, jointed on a hinge fitted to the rear end of the gun. In Fig. 687 this plate is shown brought down, under the breech-block bracket. In Fig. 686 it is shown brought up, flush with the lower part of the bore, to facilitate the quick introduction of the cartridges. Breech-Block for 15-Centimetre (5.905 In.), 50-Calibre Quick-Firing Schneider-Canet Gun (Figs. 688 and 689, Plate CXVIII.).—This mechanism is similar to the pre- ceding 011 e, but is of larger dimensions, correspond ing to the increase in the calibre.