The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

264 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. pressure only flowing through small passages ; the carriage runs out again snioothly under the action of gravity. In the rear of the carriage is a platform for serving the gun, and a small crane for raising the ammunition. 32-Centimetre (12.598-In.) Coast-Defence Gun, on Central-Pivoting Mounting (Figs. 870 and 871).—Two types of mounting for this calibre have been built by Messrs. Schneider and Co.—naniely, one in 1886 with a circular sector on which the rear of the slide rests ; and one in 1888, central-pivoting, and without a sector in the rear. In the 1886 type, the mounting, recoil cylinders, and bedplate are of cast iron, the slide and transom of cast Steel ; in the 1888 pattern, the recoil cylinders and bedplate are of cast iron, and the mounting, slide, and transom of cast steel. In both types the mounting rests on the slide with. the interposition of eight cylindrical rollers, and is guided laterally and underneath by damps suitably placed. The recoil cylinders are placed at the lower part of the mounting, the piston-rods are joined to the front of the slide, and are supported in the rear. The slide is made with two parallel cheeks stayed in front and recesset! in the transom. The transom turns round a pivot while resting on the bedplate on a set of conical rollers ; the latter are kept apart by two concentric rings. Clamps prevent the slide from rising during firing. The bedplate forms the pivot, and is titted with a circular rack for lateral training'; it is bolted on the foundation. The required elevation is given from the front of the mounting by a transverse shaft, which transmits its motion to a set of toothed wheels, and a pinion which engages a toothed sector fitted to the gun. Lateral training is given by a vertical pinion, whieh engages the rack on the bedplate, and is driven by a series of conical and cylindrical gearing. A front transverse shaft is provided, with two toothed wheels for running in the gun by hånd ; for this it is necessary to disengage the bevel wheel which turns the vertical shaft for lateral training. The mounting is fitted with a charging platform, and a quick-working crane for serving the gun. Fig. 870 shows the 32-centimetre gun on muzzle- pivoting mounting, while Fig. 871 shows it on eentral- pivoting mounting.