The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

XLIV. FIELD GUN GARRIAGES WITH TELESCOPIC RECOIL CYLINDERS. m HE following section deals with the dass designed for -L extra rapid firing, and especially with the 1898 pattern which, it is elaimed, fulfils to a high degree all the conditions embodied in the present programme of the French Ordnanee Committees, whose main study is now the transformation of field artillery. recoil cylinder ; the cradle rests partly on the brackets through its trunnions and partly on the head of the elevating screw, to which it is jointed. The telescoping cylinder (Fig. 925) has been designed specially with a view to meet a long recoil of the gun without it being necessary to lengthen the carriage Fig. 926. Section of Telescopic Recoil Brake. 3-In. Gun, Long Type, on Carriage with Tele- scoping Recoil Cylinder (Figs. 925 to 927).—The fol- lowing are particulars of this gun : Weight of gun... ,, carriage ,, projectile Muzzle velocity Energy of projectile 430 kg. 870 kg. 6.2 kg. 610m. 170 t-m. 948 Ib. 1917 Ib. 13f Ib. 2001 ft. 390 foot-tons The carriage may be divided, for purposes of descrip- tion, into two main parts : the carriage support and the carriage proper. The carriage support consista of two fixée! plate brackets ; it is joined by a circular rib and slide to a trail-spade, on which it can be displaced to the right or to the left, for regulating the lateral training. The gun rests in two collars placed, one near the reinforce and the other in front of the breech-block ; the collars are in one piece with the slide. The latter, during recoil and return, travels in a forged-steel cradle fitted with the I excessively. An outside cylinder forms part of the cradle, and remains fixed when the gun recoils ; it is fitted in I front and in the rear with a gland and two flanges, in ! which are screwed the tubes that contain the recuperator springs; these tubes are .supported near the middle of their length. A piston travels in the outside cylinder, and forms an intermediate recoil cylinder with relation to the piston proper, which is joined to the gun. These concentric cylinders and the piston proper telescope one in the other during recoil and return. A head-piece is screwed on the rear end of the intermediate cylinder ; it is fitted with two flanges, against one of which bear the right-hand recuperator springs, the other supports tlie left-liand I recuperator-rod. The gland plug of the recoil piston-rod I is screwed in tlie centre of the head-piece ; the piston is made with a port which allows the liquid to flow from one I side to the other, a reglet causing the opening of the vent to vary as may be required. The piston-rod is joined 3 s