The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

MOUNTINGr FOR 75 - MILLIMETRE QUICK - FIRING FIELD GUN. 283 arrangement which connects it with the axle. This arrangement consists of two rods linked to the brackets, the elastic system being in two parts, one jointed on a carriage-bar, formed of a hollow cylinder made to turn round an axle parallel with the carriage-axle ; the second consisting of a piston which travels in the cylinder, the piston-rod end being so arranged that it can turn freely round the carriage-axle. A set of Belleville springs is placed on the piston-rod, between the piston and the front end of tlie cylinder. When the gun is fired, the springs are compressée! and the jointed system coin es into action. Part of the force developed during firing is thus absorbée! by the springs : this eases the various parts of the carriage, and subsequently, the work the gunners had to do to run out the gun afresh, was less than that required for the types of guns and rigid carriages already described. 75-Millimetre (2.952-In.) Gun and Carriage with Anchor Plate beneath Axle (Fig. 913, Plate CLIV.). —The following are particulars : Weight of gun... ,, carriage complété.. ,, projectile ... Muzzle velocity Energy of projectile ... 360 kg. 750 kg. 5.5 kg. 550 m. 80 t.-m. 793 Ib. 1256 Ib. 11| Ib. 1084 ft. 266 foot tons Several examples of this type were experimented upon successively at the Villedieu and Hoc proving grounds. Fig. 909. 7ö-Millimetre Gun. 011 Carriage with Gas Recoil Check. 75-Millimetre Gun and Carriage with Independent Axle. Fig. 910. .so that they can be made lighter in conséquence. When the action has attained its height the carriage and the gun resume their respective positions by tlie relaxing of the springs. The mechanism for elevating the gun consists mainly of two jointed rods;* one linked to the jacket at the breech end of the gun, and the other to a carriage bar. Upon this second rod is fitted a nut which can be displaced ■over a screw worked by a handwheel. According to the direction in which the handwheel is turned, the nut rises or descends, and gives the required elevation to the gun. As the trail is not fitted with a spade, tlie carriage recoils at each round over a length which dépends chiefly upon the energy of the projectile. The recoil, however, It was the first of a comparatively large series. The car- riage consists of two riveted brackets stayed together by top and bottom trail-plates ; at the lower front part are two supports for an axle, on which the spade is jointed. The latter is formed of two vertical arms, the blade being at their lower part and adapted to penetrate the ground. The top part of this anchor is fitted with an inclined plate which throws back the earth when firing takes place in loose ground. The spade is secured to tlie trail by jointecl tie-rods, a set of Belleville springs being placed between tlie ends of the rods and the vertical arm, to deaden the sudden reactions which might arise during firing. When it is desired to shif't the gun, the spade is lifted near the bottom trail-plate.