The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

302 MESSRS. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. (17f in.). The cradle is with two trunnions, which fit in trunnion-plates on the head-plate, thus insuring the required mobility for elevating the gun. The trail is in two parts, joined together by hinge damps, and is provided with a spade, which, when it is down in suitable ground, prevents almost completely ail recoil of the carriage. The recoil of the gun in the cradle is absorbed by a hydraulic recoil cylinder, and return is secured by an independent recuperator. Weight of gun... ... ... ... | „ projectile ... ... ... Muzzle velocity ... ... ... ! Total ris viva ... ... ... ... i Weight of carriage ,, material in battery ... I Height of centre of axle above ground level ... .. ... 1 Angles of elevation ... ... ... | Diameter of wheels ... ... ... Distance between wheels on tread ... Weight of shaft 105 kg. 5 kg- 290 m. 21.5 t.-m. 250 kg. 355 kg. .670 ni. + 18 deg. 900 m. 750 ni. 22 kg. 231 1b. 11 1b. 951 ft. 71.6 foot tons 5511b. 782 1b. 26g in. - 14 deg. 35Ä in- 291 in. 48j 1b. The gun is of forged steel, in one piece ; it is fitted in the rear with lugs, which hold the recoil and recuperator rods. It is made with two longitudinal tongues placée! laterally, which support and guide it in the cradle. The breech-block Works in one action, and is similar to that of quick-firing field guns. The carriage consista of a । cradle, which rests through its two trunnions on the head-plate, and contains the hydraulic recoil cylinder and the recuperator. It is made with two guides, in which slide the lateral lugs on the gun. The hydraulic cylinder which absorbs the recoil of the gun contains a piston, the rod of which is jointed on the gun. During recoil, the liquid flows from the rear to the front of the piston, through ports that are regulated in order to maintain a constant pressure. The front of the piston forms a hydraulic buffer to deaden the return in battery. The compressée! air recuperator, which causes the gun to run out, is absolutely independent of the recoil cylinder ; it consists of two cylinders, in one of which Works an air-tight piston, the piston rod being jointed to the gun. When the gun is fired, the compressée! air is driven in the other cylinder; this acts as a reservoir; when the recoil is spent, the compressée! air causes a reaction, and runs the gun ont again, The trail is in two parts, a carriage body, with trail extension. Both are built up of steel plates, and are joined together by damps and pins. Two supports are provided in the rear for the shaft. A cast-steel staypiece acts as a support for the cradle ; the axle runs through it. The trail-end is fitted with a rigid spade and two rings for the lateral training lever. For elevating the gun, a handwheel is provided on the right-hand side of the carriage ; this Works through an endless screw and a hélicoïdal wheel, a pinion that gears in a rack the head of which supports the cradle. The axle is of steel ; it runs through the head-plate to which it is held by screws. The wheel-naves are of brass ; the rim is in three parts, and the spokes are held to the rim by steel plates. A sight and scale are placed on the right-hand side of the cradle ; they do not, therefore, recoil with the gun. For drawing the gun along, the trail is bent clown and brought under the carriage body, where it is held in place by a pin ; this allows the shaft to be placed in its rings. Foi- transport on mules, the 'materiel is taken to pièces as follows : Weight of gun... ,, carriage body ,, trail and wheels ... ,, cradle, shaft and tool s .. 105 kg. 100 kg. 99 kg. 80 kg. 2311b. 220 1b. 218 1b. 176 1b. The cartridges are placed in sets of six in a metallic ehest ; two such chests form the charge of a mule, and weio-h 95 kg. = 209 1b. O O The pack-saddles are metallic, and are arranged to suit the various parts to be carried.