The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

MOUNTING FOR 65-MILLIMETRE QUICK-FIRING GUN. 225 its lovver part with an angle forming a flange, by which tlie cone is bolted to the firing platform ; of the inside gun-metal body, on which are fitted : (a) The top plate, which carries part of the weight of the mechanism ; and (6) the two guide collars of the slide pivot, joined together by a piece in the shape of a truncated cone, provided with stifiening ribs. The slide is in one piece, and rests on the bedplate. It consista of : (a) Two parallel cheeks with trunnion plates that receive the trunnions of the gun-housing ; on one side is a projection in which engages a square-headed bolt that serves to fix the trunnion at any required elevation, (b) A disc which joins the two cheeks at their lower part, and carries the buffers that limit the degree of elevation of the gun. (c) The central pivot, formed of hydraulic recoil cylinder is on the Schneider - Canet system, with central counter-rod ; its rod is held by a nut in the lower projection of the recoil rear jacket. The recuperator consista of a cylindrical ehest containing a series of spiral springs; its governing rod is fixed to the second projection of the recoil rear jacket, and is provided with a bearing ring which weighs on the set of springs. The working of the recoil cylinder is therefore quite independent of that of the recuperator, as these elements are without inside communication from one to the other; they act separately during recoil, the re- cuperator alone effecting the running out of the gun. The varions pai’ts of the mounting being of com- paratively small weight, and the shifting of the movable parts requiring but little effort, training and elevation Mounting for 65-Millimetre Quick-Firing Gun. Fig. 755. two cylindrical parts, joined together by a truncated cone. At the lower part of the pivot is a bolt provided with a catch. When the slide is in its place, a nut is screwed on the bolt, which bears on the bottom of the pivot and prevents all raising during firing. Besides this, a hand- screw goes through the sliell of the bedplate, and by bearing against the body of the pivot, allows of fixing the gun in any position. The housing is cylindrical, and surrounds the gun so as to form a slide during recoil and running out. It consists of : (a) A jacket with trunnions, and fitted at the ends with gun-metal rings to insure perfect guiding. (^) A recoil cylinder in one piece with the jacket, and on one of the ends of which is screwed the central counter- rod. On the left side of the housing, are two bearings on which are bolted the flanges that hold the recuperator and the butt-end for the training of the gun. The are secured by the gunner bearing with his shoulder on the butt. By taking hold of a suitable handle in one piece with the butt, the gunner has no difficulty in sighting the target accurately. When a quick-firing salute is to be effeeted without any modification in the sighting of the gun, it suffices to set the screw on the right-hand trunnion and that which goes through the shell of the bedplate, in order to fix the gun in the required position. The scale is carried in a slide which forms part of the jacket, and the sight is on the left trunnion. A suitable shield serves to protect the gunners and the working parts of the gun. These guns are characterised by their very great power comparée! with their calibre, and by the flatness of the trajeetories, which renders the firing point-blank up to a distance of 1,000 metres quite practicable. They are, therefore, suitable for naval service on board ships of