The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

XLIII.—SCHNEIDER-CANET GARRIAGES WITH COMPRESSIBLE TRAIL. ONE of the déductions from the first series of theoretical researches and practical experiments, an abstract of which has been given in the preceeding paragraphs, was that among all the types of mountings tested, not one had the required stability which is essential to modern quick- firing field artillery. Though in the long course of successive experiments, results were obtained which suggested alter- | ations and improvements, so that the series was essentially ' progressive ; and though no definitely satisfactory type | was elaborated, the experience gained serveel as a basis for a new programme for improving ordinary gun-carriages still in service, as well as leading towards a revolution in field armament. Eacli of the types we have described, when it was fireel, recoiled, lifteel, and deviated, often to a great extent, behaving, in faet, in quite an unsatisfactory fashion. In some exainples, that part which was the main bearing | point of the system shifted under fire to a large extent ; this often disorganised the trials in a very short time, and causecl the gun to trip up suddenly in the course of rapid firing. Tliese considérations led Messrs. Schneider and Co., during the first series of tests, to design and experiment with a new type of carriages having an elastic trail. It will be seen hereafter that the extent to which one part of the trail telescoped within the other, was gradually inereased ; varions details were, also, of course, improved progressively. This series of the Schneider-Canet experi- ments had practical results, and varions examples of field gun mountings with elastic trail were manufacturée!, one important order being executed for Uruguay. The compressible trail system is one likely to have so wide and important an application that a few words should be given in reference to a controversy of recent date as to the origin of this system ; in the controversy referred to it is claimed that the system originated and was first tested in Gennany ; it will be of interest, therefore to put forward the Schneider-Canet claims in this matter. It was in France, and in conjunction with the Schneider- Canet type of artillery, that this special kind of trail j was first designed and manufacturée! ; it was afterwards | improved by Messrs. Schneider and Co., until they felt justified in executing an important order for Uruguay, as above stated. Five complété batteries of guns on this systein were put in regulär service in that country with complété success, after exhaustive trials had been carried | out at the Hoc proving ground, as well as severe cross- I country and rolling tests made at Monte Video by a Urugnayan regiment of artillery. It was, moreover, during the experiments carried out in France with this system, that, so it appears, a carriage with a double elastic trail was tested in Germany. It is worthy of comment, that considering the rigid rule in Germany to simplify field artillery and its mountings, that a system should have been designed which embodied not one, but two distinct devices for hydraulic recoil. As a matter of history, the French patent was first applied for in France, then in Germany, and the Berlin Patentamt granted a patent, as is customary, after preliminary researches into the question of priority. Everyone knows the care taken by the German Patent Department before a decision is arrived at, and their having granted tliese patents appears to settie the discussion in favour of the Fi’ench manu- facturer. With these few words of introduction, we may proceed to consider the second series of experiments. 75-Millimetre (2.952-in.) Short Gun, on Carriage with Elastic Trail and Independent Axle (Figs. 918 and 919).—-The following are particulars of the gun: Weight of gun „ carriage ,, projectile Muzzle velocity Energy of projectile 620 kg. 410 kg. 4.6 kg. 480 in. 54 t.-m. 573 Ib. 903 Ib. 10 Ib. 1579 ft. 180 foot-tons 75-Millimetre Gun with Elastic Trail and Independent Axle. The first carriage of this type was made with a tele- scopic trail which contained an elastic device, consisting of india-rubber rings placed one over the other ; these were compressée! when firing took place, returning their energy immediately afterwards. The carriage may be considérée! to be formed of three main parts : the carriage proper carrying the gun ; the spade connected to the carriage ; the independent axle and the wheels. The carriage consista of two steel plate brackets which take the gun trunnions; at the lower part of the brackets, and in front, are soleplätes on which slides a saddle-plate carried on the axle. The brackets are joined together in the rear by cylindrical connections formed of two sockets of different diameters made to slide one within the other. These two cylinders are connected by a set of india-rubber rings, which, when the gun is