The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

THE SCHNEIDER PAVILION AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 335 rack through an irreversible device similar to that for elevating tlie gun. It allows one man to follow a target moving Jit speed of 35 knots, n distance of 600 metres. An electric sector is also provided, for inereasing the speed of rotation in case of need. Ammunition is raised to the breech of the gun by a lift, which foliows the mounting in its motions. It is worked by liand or by electricity, and delivers on the right-hand side of the slide, the projectiles and the cartridges. The latter are taken up by hånd, while the projectiles are slid on a jointed elevator which delivers them at the breech of the gun by a counterbalanced device. The elevator is fitted with a charging plate, to facilitate placing the projectile in the chamber. It is introduced by a telescopic apparatus worked by hånd, jointed round a vertical pivot, and which is shifted to one side when not needed. The gunners and the gun. are protected by a closed-in device placed on the left side of the mounting, within easy reach of the gunner. The breech-block is fitted with the safety arrangements mentioned for preceding patterns of guns. The carriage proper, like the one for the 20-centimetre is provided with. two hydraulic recoil cylinders, opposite each other, and with a compressed-air recu- perator, independent of the cylinders placed underneath. The cylinders are so arranged that the gun can be run out again with the Help of a pump ; this, as in the previous case, allows the continuation of firing under all angles, should the recuperator get accidentally damaged. The elevating and lateral training mechanism and arrængenionts aro the same as those for the 20-ccritiniêti e gun. For the latter, one man alone can cause the 37 tons to revolve with sufficient rapidity to follow a target travel- ling at a 34-knot speed, at a distance of 500 metres. A suitable shield protects the gun and the men. Fig. 1072. 24-Centimetre ftuick-Firing Schneider-Canet Gun. shield, carried on a plate ttooring fitted to the brackets of the slide ; the shield is in the shape of an ordinary turret. An opening is cut in the rear part ; it can be closed by a door. This mode of protection unites all the advan- tages of a closed-in turret, besicles being lighter and less bulky. 24-Centimetre (9-449 1n-) 45-Calibre, Schneider- Canet Quick-Firing Gun, on Central-Pivoting Mounting (Fig. 1072): Weight of gun....................... Length in calibres ,, metres Weight of projectile................ ,, smokeless powder charge Muzzle velociry Vis viva at muzzle Thickness of wrought - iron plate perforated at muzzle Weight of complété mounting with- out shield ... 23,100 kg. 45 10,800 m. 150 kg. 60 „ 850 m. 5530 t.-m. .920 m. 11,860 kg. 50,912 Ib. 45 35 ft. 5 in. 330 Ib. 132 „ 2789 ft. 18,415 foot-tons 36 in. 26,140 Ib. The gun is titted with a cylindrical threaded, quick- action br66cli~l)lock, worked by n latcrtil cranl<, and fitted with a plastic obturator ; 3| turns of the crank suffice to open or close the breech completely. The plastic obturator can be reinoved when metallic bottoins are usgcI. Electi ic or percussion firing can be resorted to, worked by the same This erun is worked as easily as those of medium calibre. 15-Centimetre (5.905-In.), 10-Calibre, Schneider- Canet Quick-Firing Howitzer, on Central-Pivoting Mounting (Fig. 1073, Plate CLXXI). — This is used indifferently as a naval howitzer and for coast defence. The breech-block is of simple pattern, and Works very easily ; it is fitted with a plastic obturator, and is provided with safety devices against prématuré and hanging fire. Weight of howitzer 920 kg. 2028 Ib. Length in calibres ,, metres 10 1.500 m. 10 4 ft. 11 in. Weight of projectile 40 kg. 88 Ib. ,, smokeless powder charge 1.400 kg. 3 Ib. Muzzle velocity 260 111. 853 ft. Vis viva at muzzle 138 t.-m. 460 foot-tons Weight of mounting 3600 kg. 7934 Ib. Elevation — 5 deg.to + 60 deg. — 5 deg. to + 60 deg. The recoil is checked by two hydraulic recoil cylinders with constant résistance, placée! symmetrically with regard to the axis of the howitzer, one above and one below the jacket mounting. Return is eftected under all angles by a compressée! air recuperator, independent of the recoil cylinders. Tlw jaclcot in which tiis howitzer slides is carried in a frame which rests on the bedplate, with the 4 P*