The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

282 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. in order to absorb part of the recoil of the gun. This device is funnel-shaped and is fixed to the muzzle ; it is made with a hole slightly larger than the projectile, thus allowing the latter to pass through freely. When a round is fired, a wide cone of gas is emitted, the basis of which is in a line with the rnuzzle end of the gun. The gas strikes against the inside ot' the recoil check plate, and is forced to the rear ; in doing so, it exerts a considérable pressure on the funnel-shaped device, and tends to draw the interposition of Belleville springs ; these served to deaden the shocks caused by the firing of the gun. Experiments made with this gun showed the recoils to be more or less checked by the muzzle device, but the gunners had to stand outside the wheels, not to be incon- venienced by the hot gases that were driven to the rear. Besides, this apparatus alone could not insure the stability of the gun and did not take up recoil completely. 75-Millimetre (2.952-In.) Gun, Long Type, on Car- Figs. 905 and 906. Diagrams showing Counterweight Brake and Gas Kecoil Check. Fig. 908. 75 and 80-Millimetre Fiele! Gin on Rigid Carriage and Automatic Brake. the gun in the direction of the firing line. This action ' counteracts that of the recoil and checks it to a certain extent. The carriage is rigid and consists of brackets riveted together; the trail ends in a fixed spade with Hearing trail-plate. The elevating meehanism consists of a jointed rack, fitted in a socket under the breech end of the gun : it gears “ 7 O i with a pinion carried by the carriage bar. The pinion is keyed on the same shaft with a hélicoïdal wheel, the | latter driven by an endless screw, fitted on a shaft with riage with Independent Axle (Fig. 910, and Fig. 912, Plate CLIV.).—The following- are particulars of this gun : Weight of gun... 360 kg. 793 Ib. ,, carriage 540 kg. 1190 Ib. ,, projectile ... ... ... 5.2 kg. 11| Ib. Muzzle velocity 550 m. 1804 ft. Striking energy of projectile 80 t.-m. 206 foot-tons The carriage consists of two steel-plate brackets joined together by riveted plates forming transoms; it is supported by the trail which rests on the ground and on an elastic