MOUNTINGS FOR QUICK-FIRING FIELD GUNS.
291
however, easily be replaced at any time by one of ordinary
type, with plastic obturator, so as to fire a cheaper kind
of ammunition ; in this case, however, rapidity of firing
would be reduced by one-half.
firing on very soft ground. When the surface is of
average hardness, it is not necessary to resort to this
device. Percussion being absent owing to the action of
the recoil cylinder, the carriage rises only sligbtly even
Fig. 935. 75-Millimetre Quick-Firing Gun on Rigid Carriage, with Trail Spade.
Elg. 936.
Figs. 936 and 938. Schneider-C anet 75-Millimetre Gun, Carriage, and Limber.
The carriage is provided with hydraulic recoil cylinders,
a trail-spade, and wheel drags. The gun runs out auto-
matically ; the trail-spade is shaped so as to autoniatically
penetrate ground of average hardness, and preliminary
digging is not necessary. The wheel drags are used when
the gnn is hattled from one place to anothei', and also when
when on ploughed ground. In this case, however, cor-
rection in training after each round is hardly necessary,
unless minute précision is required, as, for instance,
when firing against a cavalry charge. The carriage is
very simple in construction, and requires no préparation
for firing ; the recoil cylinders are filled with incongealable