Machine-guns. The Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon. The Gatling Gun. The
Gardner Gun. The Maxim Gun. The Metallic Carriage for Machine-guns.
HOTCHKISS REVOLVING CANNON.
[Illustration: FIG. 82.]
There are two sizes for field-artillery, viz.: light and heavy, both
having the same caliber.
DESCRIPTION.
Light. Heavy.
Calibre inches 1.45 1.45
Length of gun " 46.4 70.4
Height of trunnions above tread " 35 42.4
Length of gun-barrel " 29.1 50.1
Number of barrels 5 5
Weight of each barrel pounds 30.8 79
Length of rifled bore inches 24.7 43.4
Number of lands 12 12
Pitch of rifling degrees 6 6
Weight of gun complete pounds 495 1045
The gun consists of five main parts: the group of barrels, the
breech-piece, the mechanism, the frame, and the attachments.
THE GROUP OF BARRELS.
The five barrels are assembled around a main shaft by being secured in
two bronze assembling-disks. Both disks are bolted to the main shaft,
so that barrels, disks, and shaft revolve together. The main shaft goes
into the breech-piece, and has screwed and bolted to its end a heavy
steel pin-wheel, which connects the barrel-system with the mechanism.
[Illustration: FIG. 83.
_Hotchkiss R. C. Rotating Device._
_LEGEND_
_C. Crank Shaft._
_L. Loading Piston._
_P. 5, Pinions._
_T. Trap Door._
_W. Worm._
]
THE BREECH-PIECE.
This is a cast-iron block, the front half solid and pierced with
the channels necessary for feeding, loading, firing, and extracting
ammunition, and the rear half hollow to form a chamber for the
mechanism, with guideways and journals for its movement and support. In
the upper front face a channelway is cut from the loading-hole around
almost to the firing-point, the bottom being inclined so that as the
cartridge moves along it during the revolution of the barrels it is
pushed forward and close home.
The forward face is reinforced at the firing-point by a steel
face-plate countersunk in it, through which the firing-pin hole is
pierced. The seat for the pin-wheel is in the rear face of the solid
part. This pin-wheel can only be mounted on the main shaft after the
end of the latter has been inserted in its journal; and in order to
put the locking-pin of the pin-wheel in place it is necessary to
have a hole pierced radially from the outside of the breech-piece.
This hole is kept constantly closed by a tap-screw. The rear end of
the breech-piece is closed by a bronze door, hinged at the bottom,
and secured by a screw-bolt at the top. On the outer sides of the
breech-piece shoulders are cast to form seats for the shafts of the
frame.
As the worm-shaft does not extend completely across the chamber of the
breech-piece, a small journal-seat is cast just to the left of the
centre of the chamber. In the right lower corner of the chamber is a
guideway for the firing-bolt; on the left side is a slotway for the
extractor; a small journal is pierced through the side for a cog-wheel,
which is held in place by a keep-pin. In the left upper corner is a
guideway for the loading-piston.
THE MECHANISM.
The work of the mechanism consists in revolving the barrels, loading,
firing, and extracting.
The revolution of the barrels is a simple gear movement. The loading
and extracting are reciprocal movements; that is, while a cartridge
is being pushed into one barrel an empty cartridge-case is being
drawn from another. The firing is accomplished by the firing-bolt,
which is drawn backward by its cocking-arm pressing on the cam of the
worm-wheel, and then thrown violently forward by the mainspring, when
the arm drops from the end of the cam. The piece has the ordinary
trigger arrangement.
In order to keep the cartridges from crowding down upon the
loading-piston a small feed-gate is hung loosely in the feeding-hole.
In the forward movement of the piston a small nib at its forward end
catches behind the gate and lifts it up, thus cutting off the feed.
THE FRAME AND ATTACHMENTS.
The group of barrels and the breech-piece are bound together by the
frame, and the whole system is supported by the trunnions in a forked
pivot. The frame is a light bronze casting, consisting of two hollow
side-bars connected by two hollow cross-bars. The forward one is
journalled for the forward end of the main shaft, and the rear one
is in line with the trunnions. A half-ring spans the shaft over the
forward assembling-disk to form a seat for the front sight. The rear
ends of the shafts are bolted in seats in the side of the breech-piece.
The trunnions form part of the casting of the frame. The right forward
cap-square bolt has a lever for clamping the piece at any desired
elevation.
The pivot rests in a socket, in the side of which is a clamp for fixing
the gun in any desired direction.
The feed-trough holds about eight cartridges.
The =Rear Sight= consists of a bar having its right edge arranged with
alternate notches and points for each 100 yards or other unit. These
notches and points are so arranged as to allow for the natural drift
of the projectile. The bar is hinged at the bottom to lie flat on the
breech-piece when not in use.
The =Front Sight= is of the ordinary steel-point pattern.
THE ACTION OF THE MECHANISM.
Suppose the crank to be in continual motion.
A cartridge is placed in the introduction-trough, the piston pushes
it into the barrel, the barrels begin to revolve, and the cartridge is
carried on until it arrives before the firing-pin, held in the solid
part of the breech, and which has, in the meantime, been retracted
by the action of the cam. As soon as the cartridge has arrived in
position the barrels cease to revolve and the primer of the cartridge
is struck by the firing-pin and discharged; the revolution of the
barrels begins again, and the fired cartridge-shell is carried on until
it comes to the extractor, which in the meantime has arrived up to the
barrels, and the cartridge-head rolls into it. As soon as the head is
laid hold of by the extractor the barrels again cease to revolve, and
during this period the cartridge-shell is withdrawn and dropped to the
ground. During every stoppage of the barrels the gun is supplied with
a new cartridge, the firing and extraction are also performed, and a
continuous but slow fire is kept up. Supplying the gun in this manner
with single cartridges, about thirty rounds per minute may be fired.
DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING THE MECHANISM.
=To Dismount.=--1. Open the breech-door by unscrewing the door-bolt.
As the mainspring presses against the door, one hand should be pressed
against the door to keep it from flying open.
2. Withdraw the firing-bolt by pulling straight out.
3. Detach the mainspring by first turning it completely over and then
withdrawing its keep-pin.
4. Take out the thumb-screw which secures the extractor-crank to the
worm-axle.
5. Withdraw the worm-axle by pulling straight out on the crank; and as
the extractor-crank and worm-wheel slip off, remove them.
6. Pull out the extractor.
7. Pull out the loading-piston.
8. Unscrew the keep-pin of the cog-wheel and take the latter out.
This completes the dismounting of the mechanism.
=To Mount.=--Proceed in the inverse order, bearing in mind that in
inserting the loading-piston it must be pushed in to its extreme
forward limit, as marked by arrows on its forward end and on the rim of
the feeding-hole, before the extractor is inserted. Also, in inserting
the worm-axle the most convenient position is with the feather up, so
that the extractor-crank will mount when it is turned arm down and to
the rear. This is not necessary, but is convenient in assembling.
=To Dismount Completely.=--1. Turn the barrels until the arrow on the
rear assembling-disk marked "Dismount" is opposite the arrow on the
right upper quarter of breech-piece.
2. Enter a punch in the hole in the breech-piece and back out the
keep-bolt of the pin-wheel.
3. Unscrew and take out the pin-wheel.
4. Unscrew the four bolts which secure the frame to the breech-piece.
5. Slip the breech-piece off to the rear.
6. Remove the group of barrels from the frame.
=Mounting= is done in the inverse order. Start the pin-wheel on before
pushing the breech-piece entirely into place. In driving in the
keep-pin of the pin-wheel be careful that it is close home so as not
to grind in the journal. Also, before dropping the keep-pin in turn
the barrels until the arrow marked "Mount" is opposite the one on the
breech-piece.
CARE AND CLEANING REQUIRED.
Apply the rules given for mountain-artillery, page 4.
In scrubbing out the barrels it is always best to turn the one
to be scrubbed to the extractor-hole, as this position gives the
most room for thorough work and the water does not slop into the
breech-piece. Elevate the gun slightly and put the water-bucket under
the extractor-hole.
When cleaned and mounted, pour a little oil in the oil-holes and
revolve the mechanism a few times to spread it on the bearings.
AMMUNITION.
The ammunition is similar to that used in breech-loading small arms,
and consists of the projectile, to the base of which is crimped a
metallic cartridge-case containing the powder-charge, and being
provided with a percussion-cap for centre-fire. The charge of powder
is loaded into the brass case and shaken down, and on the top of it
is placed a felt lubricating-wad, which leaves sufficient end to the
case to allow it to be crimped to the base of the projectile. The
projectiles consist of cast-iron shell, steel shell, and canister. The
nose of the first is truncated to give a seat for the nose fuze; that
of the second comes to a sharp point, and its fuze is in the base. The
canister consists of a thin drawn brass case, almost hemispherical at
the head, filled with hardened lead balls packed in sawdust.
Light. Heavy.
Weight of shell, empty Oz. 14.4 16
" " " loaded " 16 19
Bursting-charge " 0.7 0.8
Number of fragments 15 15
Weight of canister Lbs. 1.25 1.25
Number of bullets 28 28
Weight of cartridge-case, empty Oz. 3 3.4
" " powder-charge " 2.8 3.8
Total weight of cartridge complete, shell Lbs. 1.4 1.7
" " " " " case " 1.6 1.75
THE CARRIAGE.
[Illustration: FIG. 84.]
Light. Heavy.
Diameter of wheel Inches. 45.2 55.1
Weight " " Lbs. 99 187
Width of tread Inches. 47.2 60.2
Weight of carriage without shield Lbs. 550 990
" " shield " 220 282
Weight of gun, carriage and limber fully
equipped " 2112 3487
The trail is formed of two brackets connected by bolts and two
transoms, and having a gun-metal rest for carrying the trunnion-saddle,
the rear ends being connected by the trail eye-piece, made of cast
steel. The brackets diverge at the trunnions, the axle is of steel, and
the wheels have metallic naves and tires.
The gun-traversing arrangement, giving 4° deflection to the right or
left, consists of a cast-steel saddle with trunnion-bearings, and works
in the gun-metal rest riveted to the brackets.
The elevating and traversing arrangement consists of a steel
ball-and-socket elevating-screw working in an oscillating bearing;
this bearing, and with it the elevating-screw, can be traversed right
and left by means of a small hand-wheel on the left side of the trail,
and this causes the trunnion-saddle with the gun to pivot around the
centre of the saddle.
On the right side of the trail there is a compressing-handle to lock
the elevating-screw, so as to make it immovable during firing and
whilst travelling. The handspike, of iron tubing, is hinged to the
trail.
The brake is of the following description: Each axle-arm has a screw
cut on its extremity; this carries a nut forming a conical cap, partly
enveloping the inner side of the wheel-nave, which is also conical,
to fit the inside of the cap; and has a crank-arm by which it can be
revolved on the axle. When screwed up, this cap grips the cone of the
nave of the wheel until the latter is immovably locked by the friction
of the cones.
A shield, of three parts, made to fold together, thus forming seats for
two men, is sometimes provided. It is of steel plate three sixteenths
of an inch thick.
The carriage carries the following implements: A sponge on the right
bracket, and two handspikes beneath the trail; in the tool-box (which
is between the brackets) are carried the feed-trough, hand-crank, rear
sight, screw-driver, oil-can, reserve mainspring, reserve firing-pin,
hammer, punch, and a universal wrench.
THE LIMBER.
Light. Heavy.
Weight of limber empty Lbs. 605 913
" " " loaded " 1067 1452
Number of rounds in limber 300 300
The limber is formed of four futchells,--the outside ones of flat
steel, the inside ones and the splinter-bar being of angle-iron,--a
platform-board, and a foot-board of oak. The axle is of hollow wrought
iron; wheels same as for carriage. The futchells and splinter-bar are
all riveted together, and the cast-steel limber-hook is riveted in
between the inside futchells: the axle is secured to the bed by three
bearings.
The pole lets into an iron frame and is held by two bolts with threads
and nuts. The single-trees, of metal, are hung to eye-plates under the
ends of the brackets.
The ammunition-chest is made of steel plate and carries 300 rounds in
two compartments, one of which holds 100 rounds packed in ten steel
feed-cases ready for rapid firing.
The limber carries the following implements: A set of
intrenching-tools, axe, water-bucket, traction-rope, cushions for
seats, etc.
THE CAISSON.
Light. Heavy.
Weight with limber empty Lbs. 1430 2409
" " " loaded " 3091 4356
Number of rounds 1100 1100
[Illustration: FIG. 85.]
The caisson (Fig. 85) consists of the limber, which is identical with
the gun-limber, and the caisson-body, carrying two ammunition-chests
similar to those of the limber. It is of steel and iron, with brakes
like those on the carriage. There are two foot-boards, and it has
arrangements for carrying the spare wheel, intrenching-tools, spare
pole, single-trees, and other accessories.
RANGE TABLE FOR LIGHT FIELD-PIECE.
Angle of jump, 4′. Charge, 2.8 oz. Mean weight of projectile, 1 lb.
Initial velocity, 1319 ft.-sec.
------+----------+------+-------+-----+---------+----------+------+
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | +
Range.|Elevation.|Drift.| Time |Angle| Final |Marks on |Drift-|
| | | of | of |Velocity.|Sight-bar.|marks.|
| | |Flight.|Fall.| | | |
------+----------+------+-------+-----+---------+----------+------+
Yds.| ° ′ | Yds.| Sec. | ° ′| Ft. | In. | In.|
100 | 0 06 | 0.01| 0.2 | 0 11| 1234 | 0.058 | 0.003|
200 | 0 17 | 0.04| 0.4 | 0 24| 1161 | 0.164 | 0.007|
300 | 0 29 | 0.09| 0.6 | 0 38| 1091 | 0.281 | 0.010|
400 | 0 42 | 0.16| 1.0 | 0 52| 1037 | 0.406 | 0.014|
500 | 0 56 | 0.27| 1.3 | 1 09| 987 | 0.543 | 0.018|
| | | | | | | |
600 | 1 10 | 0.43| 1.7 | 1 28| 944 | 0.679 | 0.023|
700 | 1 25 | 0.64| 2.0 | 1 49| 906 | 0.824 | 0.027|
800 | 1 42 | 0.87| 2.4 | 2 12| 874 | 0.989 | 0.032|
900 | 1 59 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 2 37| 843 | 1.154 | 0.037|
1000 | 2 16 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 3 05| 819 | 1.319 | 0.042|
| | | | | | | |
1100 | 2 35 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 3 35| 796 | 1.504 | 0.054|
1200 | 2 55 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 4 07| 775 | 1.698 | 0.067|
1300 | 3 16 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 4 42| 756 | 1.902 | 0.079|
1400 | 3 38 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 5 20| 741 | 2.116 | 0.092|
1500 | 4 00 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5 59| 726 | 2.331 | 0.104|
| | | | | | | |
1600 | 4 24 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 6 30| 711 | 2.565 | 0.120|
1700 | 4 49 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 7 13| 695 | 2.808 | 0.136|
1800 | 5 15 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 7 56| 682 | 3.063 | 0.152|
1900 | 5 42 | 9.4 | 6.7 | 8 31| 670 | 3.334 | 0.168|
2000 | 6 10 | 11.0 | 7.1 | 9 14| 659 | 3.601 | 0.184|
| | | | | | | |
2100 | 6 39 | 12.7 | 7.6 |10 00| 650 | 3.877 | 0.207|
2200 | 7 09 | 14.7 | 8.0 |10 48| 641 | 4.181 | 0.229|
2300 | 7 40 | 16.8 | 8.5 |11 39| 632 | 4.487 | 0.252|
2400 | 8 12 | 19.3 | 9.0 |12 31| 623 | 4.804 | 0.274|
2500 | 8 46 | 22.0 | 9.5 |13 24| 613 | 5.140 | 0.297|
------+----------+------+-------+-----+---------+----------+------+
[Part 2 of Table.]
------+---------------------+----------+-----------
| Mean Deviation. |Dangerous | Highest
|------+------+-------+Space of | Point
Range.|Range.|Drift.|Height.| Target | of
| | | | 5½ Feet |Trajectory.
| | | | High. |
------+------+------+-------+----------+-----------
Yds.| Yds.| Yds.| Yds. | Yds. | Ft.
100 | 22.3 | 0.06| 0.07 | Total |
200 | 21.3 | 0.12| 0.14 | Range. |
300 | 20.5 | 0.19| 0.22 | 217 |
400 | 19.8 | 0.25| 0.30 | 150 |
500 | 19.1 | 0.32| 0.39 | 113 | 14
| | | | |
600 | 18.5 | 0.42| 0.49 | 90 |
700 | 18.0 | 0.50| 0.57 | 74 |
800 | 17.5 | 0.55| 0.65 | 68 |
900 | 17.1 | 0.63| 0.79 | 53 |
1000 | 16.7 | 0.70| 0.90 | 46 | 67
| | | | |
1100 | 16.5 | 0.79| 1.02 | 40 |
1200 | 16.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 36 |
1300 | 16.0 | 0.99| 1.3 | 32 |
1400 | 16.0 | 1.05| 1.4 | 29 |
1500 | 15.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 26 | 184
| | | | |
1600 | 15.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 | |
1700 | 15.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 | |
1800 | 15.9 | 1.6 | 2.1 | |
1900 | 16.1 | 1.6 | 2.4 | |
2000 | 16.5 | 1.7 | 2.7 | | 387
| | | | |
2100 | 16.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 | |
2200 | 17.2 | 2.0 | 3.3 | |
2300 | 17.6 | 2.2 | 3.6 | |
2400 | 18.1 | 2.4 | 4.0 | |
2500 | 18.7 | 2.5 | 4.6 | | 701
------+------+------+-------+----------+-----------
THE GATLING GUN.
[Illustration: FIG. 86.]
The following description applies more particularly to the model of
1883, which differs in some of its details from previous models. The
1-inch and .45-inch calibres are now in service; and contracts have
been made for supplying .30-inch calibre.
The Gatling gun consists of a number of breech-loading rifled barrels,
_B_, grouped around a shaft, _S_, to which they are parallel. The
1-inch has six barrels; smaller calibres eight and ten.
Each barrel is fired only once in the revolution of the group.
[Illustration: FIG. 87.]
The breech-ends of the barrels are screwed into a disk or rear
barrel-plate, _P′_, which is fastened to the shaft, and the muzzles
pass through another similar disk, _P_, called the front barrel-plate,
on the shaft; the shaft projects beyond the muzzles, and extends
backwards for some distance behind the breeches of the barrels.
Directly behind the barrels a carrier-block, _C_, is fastened to the
shaft, and in its exterior surface semi-cylindrical channels are cut,
which form trough-like extensions to the rear of the cartridge-chambers
of the barrels, and are designed to receive and guide the cartridges
while they are thrust into the barrels, and guide the empty cases while
they are withdrawn. Behind the carrier-block the shaft carries, rigidly
attached, the lock-cylinder, _L_, in which guide-grooves are formed,
which are parallel to the barrels, and in which slide long breech-plugs
or locks having a forward and backward motion of their own, and by
which the cartridges are thrust into the barrels. They also close the
barrels until after discharge, and then extract the cases.
[Illustration: FIG. 88.]
Each plug, or lock (Fig. 88), contains a spiral mainspring, _b_,
acting on a firing-pin, _a_, by which the charge is fired, so that
the plug performs all of the functions of a gun-lock, as well as of
a breech-plug, _b′_ is the head of firing-pin (which engages in R,
Fig. 89); _c_ is the lug for groove; _d_ is the hooked extractor which
engages over the cartridge-head; and _e_ is the guide-rib for the lock.
The lock is a rebounding one, the intention being that the firing-pin
shall not project beyond the face of the block until, on being
released from the cocking-piece, it flies forward and discharges the
cartridge.
The shaft, _S_, to which the group of barrels and both the
carrier-block and the lock-cylinder are rigidly attached, is free to
turn on its axis, the front end being journalled in the front part of
the frame, and the rear end in a diaphragm in the breech-casing.
The gearing by which the shaft is revolved consists of a toothed wheel,
_G_ (Fig. 87), fastened to the shaft, and worked by an endless screw,
_W_, on a small axle, _S′_, which passes transversely through the case
at right angles to the shaft, and is furnished outside the case with a
hand-crank, _K_.
The crank may be worked from the side, or it may be attached to the
rear end of the main shaft, giving in the first position a rapidity
equal to about 800 shots per minute, and in the latter 1200 per minute.
The rear end of the main shaft terminates in a screw, which is covered
by a knob or cascable, which is turned when the crank is to be attached
for rapid fire.
The cartridge-carrier block is covered above the frame by a
semi-cylindrical shell, which is provided at the top with an opening of
suitable size and shape to permit a single cartridge to fall through it
into one of the channels of the carrier-block, which it overlies. There
is a trough extending upward from this opening and forming a hopper, in
which feed-cases can be placed.
Beneath the carrier-block everything is open, to allow the cartridges
or shells which are withdrawn by the extractors from the barrels to
fall to the ground. Within the cylindrical breech-case attached to
the frame a heavy ring, not quite the length of the lock-cylinder,
is fastened to the case and diaphragm, which nearly fills the space
between the inside of the case and the cylinder. Portions of the inside
of this ring are so cut away as to leave a cam projecting from the
inner surface of the ring, having two helicoidal edges inclined to each
other, and united by a short, flat plane. Against these edges the rear
ends of the locks continually bear, there being room enough for the
locks to lie loosely within the parts of the ring which are cut away.
Each lock is held back against the cam by a lug projecting laterally
from the end of the lock, and entering a groove formed at the base
of the cam, in the thin part of the ring. A device for throwing the
cocking-piece in and out of gear, worked by a knob on the right of the
breech-casing, permits the gun being used for drill purposes without
snapping the locks. When the arrow-head points to the front, it is in
position for firing. With the head pointing to the rear it is out of
action.
On the left of the breech-casing, just under the hopper, is a movable
section with three wedge-shaped prongs, which keep the cartridge-cases
in the grooves of the carrier until they are ejected. It is called the
shell-guide.
The gun can be unloaded of any cartridges not fired by removing the
feed-case, opening the hopper, and reversing the motion of the crank.
The locks can be removed and inserted without taking off the
cascable-plate; and the absence of one or more plugs does not affect
the working of the gun, except to diminish the intensity of the fire.
For each lock removed one unexploded cartridge falls to the ground at
each revolution of the gun.
The gun is encased in a frame which has trunnions, and is mounted in
the ordinary way, like a field-piece.
The screw for elevating and depressing the breech works in a nut
attached to the trail of the carriage in the usual way. In the model
of 1883 the trunnions of the gun are placed two inches below its
centre, and the elevation and depression are given by means of an arc
connected at both extremities with the gun, which may be elevated 74°
or depressed 78°.
A lateral movement is given the gun by means of a hand-lever which fits
into a square mortise cast on the under side of the breech-casing.
On top of the breech-casing is a spirit-level placed parallel to the
axis of the piece, and on the right side of the cascable-plate is
another at right angles to the first.
[Illustration: FIG. 89.]
ACTION OF THE MECHANISM.
In Fig. 89 _cd_, _c′d′_ are the developments of the right-and left-hand
sides of the elliptical groove; _cc′_ and _dd′_ are developments of the
circular arcs.
When the crank is rotated, it causes the shaft with the barrels,
carrier-block, and lock-cylinder to rotate in the casing. The bolts,
held by the guides in the surface of the lock-cylinder, also rotate
with the barrels and other parts, but by the bearing of the bolt-lugs
in the elliptical grooves in the barrel-casing the bolts on the
right-hand side are forced to move forward, _dc_, towards the barrels,
and those on the left to move backward _c′d′_.
When each bolt in this rotation reaches the "loading-flat," a cartridge
drops from the feed into the groove in the carrier-block, in front of
the bolt. As the rotation continues the bolt pushes forward until, on
reaching the "firing-flat," the cartridge has been completely inserted
and the barrel closed. During this motion a groove on the right-hand
side of the casing, _R_, catches the head of the firing-pin and retains
it, thus compressing the spiral mainspring and cocking the firing-pin.
A continuation of the rotation causes the firing-pin to pass out of
this groove; and the action of the mainspring drives the pin forward
and fires the cartridge.
The motion continuing, the bolt is withdrawn by the left-hand groove,
_c′d′_, and as it moves backward the empty case is drawn out by the
extractor on the bolt.
THE FEED.
=The Bruce Feed= (Fig. 90).--This is a gravity feed consisting of an
upright bronze standard, _a_, having two grooves in it. Below the
grooves is a fixed mouth, _c_, and below this a wheel, _d_, having its
axis to one side of the mouth and turning freely on this axis.
When in use, the feed is inserted in an opening in the barrel-casing
directly over the carrier-block, _e_. The paper box containing the
cartridges (the top being removed) is placed in the fixed standard
with the _heads of the cartridges to the rear_. The heads engage in
the grooves of the swinging-piece, _b_, and the paper box may then be
pulled off. As each cartridge strikes the wheel it causes the latter to
revolve and present a new groove for the reception of a cartridge. The
cartridges delivered to the wheel are in turn carried around by it and
deposited in the grooves of the carrier-block.
[Illustration: FIG. 90.]
The cartridges in one column of the feed becoming exhausted, the weight
of those in the other column causes the swinging-piece to rotate
sufficiently for them to be fed to the piece.
=The Accles Feed= (Fig. 91) consists of a brass drum the distance
between whose heads slightly exceeds the length of the cartridge to
be used. The inside of the head is grooved in a spiral form ending at
the mouth of the drum. The central part of the spiral is removed and
replaced by the axis of a set of radial arms which rotate about this
axis. The cartridges are inserted through the mouth of the drum into
the spirals _with the heads to the rear_. When in use, the drum, _a_,
is placed in position, with its mouth, _c_, down and over the grooves
in the carrier-block, _d_. Projections, _e_, on the outer edges of
the grooves in the block engage in the outer extremities, _f_, of the
radial arms, _b_, of the drum so as to cause the latter to rotate when
the crank is turned; and the arms, bearing against the cartridges,
force them along the spirals towards the opening in the drum, whence
they are delivered to the grooves in the carrier-block.
[Illustration: FIG. 91.]
=The Latest Improved Feed= (Fig. 93) has but a small surface exposed to
fire, is cheap, light, and independent of gravity, so that it may be
used at any angle.
Long strips (Fig. 92) of tin or any cheap flexible metal have tongues,
_a_, punched in them, one end of the tongue being left attached to the
strip and the other separated. These tongues surround the cartridge
and hold it in place on the strip. The small rectangular slots, _b_,
are punched completely through, and in these slots fit the rims of the
cartridge-cases.
[Illustration: FIG. 92.]
[Illustration: FIG. 93.]
A hopper (_a_, Fig. 93) is hinged to the frame which supports the gun
just over the carrier-block, and has in it an opening, _b_, through
which the strips, with the cartridges down, are fed. This opening
is narrow in front and wide in rear to prevent the cartridge being
introduced wrong end to the front. Below the opening, _b_, is a shelf,
_c_, so shaped as to guide the cartridges and strips into the opening.
Above the shelf is a flat spring, _d_, which presses the cartridges
down as they pass through the opening.
A wedge, _e_, projects from the opposite side of the hopper, and,
acting on each cartridge in turn, forces it out of the strip, the
tongues, _a_, bending downward into the recess provided for them. The
carrier-block, _f_, is provided with projections which act like the
teeth of a wheel upon the cartridges, forcing the strip to the right.
When in use, a strip containing cartridges is pushed into the opening,
_b_, of the hopper. The crank is rotated and the strip is forced to
the right through the hopper. This action brings each cartridge in
succession against the point of the wedge, _e_, which forces the
cartridge out of its hold on the strip by bending downward the tongues,
_a_, and the cartridge is deposited in the groove of the carrier-block,
the empty strip passing to the right.
=Before Firing the Gun.=--The following points should be attended to:
_The adjuster-nut_ should be at its proper position, viz., with the
marks in line with each other.
_The safety-cam_ (cocking-switch) should be set to fire arrow-head on
knob pointing forward.
_The shell-guide_ should be in its place and the hopper locked down.
_Never_ turn the crank quickly while the lock-plug is out.
_See_ that the safety-cam is turned out of firing position when the gun
is being worked without cartridges.
=Precautions to be Observed.=--(_a_) Never lay the cover upon the
ground, as it is liable to pick up sand and dirt, which may derange the
working of the parts.
(_b_) A partially filled feed-case should not be put back into the
ammunition-chest without being filled up, as the cartridges may become
inverted and jam the gun.
(_c_) If the gun jams, remove the feed-case at once, open the hopper,
and reverse the crank until all the cartridges are taken out. This will
be found to save time, unless the cause of the jamming is evident and
in the immediate vicinity of the hopper.
(_d_) See that all the parts are kept well oiled to prevent friction
and scouring.
THE CARRIAGE, MODEL 1883.
The carriage is made of metal; the axle of steel without any axle-body;
the wheels are of the Archibald pattern; and the trail of two plates
of mild steel, reinforced on top and connected by five transoms. A
gunner's seat is hinged to the top of the trail. The oscillating-lever,
when not in use, is carried between the trail-plates. The elevating-arc
is held in place by a binding-screw, and is worked by a bronze handle.
The field of oscillation is limited by two stop-pins in front of the
swivel. They permit of about 50° of lateral movement, and the gun can
be held at any point of this arc by a binding-screw, the handle of
which is on the left cheek.
On each side of the gun, and fastened to the axle, is an
ammunition-chest of steel for carrying feed-drums and certain tools.
These chests are lined with wood, and running through the middle,
separating the compartments for feed-drums, are blocks of wood with
recesses in their tops for the following tools:
Left Chest.
1 cam-extractor.
1 riveting-hammer.
1 oil-can.
1 screw-wrench.
1 sight, left.
Right Chest.
1 crank-handle for gun.
1 drift.
1 lock screw-driver.
1 T screw-driver.
1 pin-wrench.
1 sight, right.
The lids of these chests are fastened with hasps and turnbuckles. They
can be locked with the ordinary padlock. A wiping-rod of brass is
fastened to the under side of the stock.
THE LIMBER.
The limber is principally of metal. The axle and wheels are the same as
in the carriage.
The limber-chest and lid are of Bessemer steel reinforced by
angle-irons. The interior of the chest is divided by steel plates
into three compartments for carrying ammunition. The centre one is
subdivided by wooden partitions for carrying feed-drums.
The lid is fastened in the same manner as those on the axle-chests.
The following is the capacity of the limber-chest:
Right and left compartments, 132 packages,
each of 20 cartridges 5280 cartridges
4 feed-drums of 104 cartridges each 416 "
Front centre compartment, 38 packages of 20
cartridges each 760 "
These with the four feed-drums in the axle-chest 416 "
----
Would give 6872 "
Weight of piece 237 lbs.
Weight of gun-carriage with chest and tools,
without feed-cylinders 594 "
Weight of limber and chest 754 "
" " ammunition and chest 230 "
" " one wheel 106 "
" " feed-cylinder (filled) 24½ "
THE 0.45-INCH GATLING GUN MOUNTED ON A CAVALRY-CART.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PIECE.
----------------------------------------------+-----+----+-------
Designation. | No.|Lbs.|Inches.
----------------------------------------------+-----+----+-------
Extreme length of piece | | | 35.5
Length of barrel | | | 18
Length of breech-casing | | | 8.5
Length of feed-case | | | 20.25
Cartridges in each case | 40 | |
Cartridges in each chest | 960 | |
Gun (weight) | | 144|
Total weight of gun, carriage, and implements | | 925|
Number of barrels | 10 | |
Number of horses to draw (good roads) | 1 | |
Number of horses to draw (bad roads) | 2 | |
----------------------------------------------+-----+----+-------
THE 1-INCH GATLING.
DESCRIPTION OF PIECE.
----------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-------
Designation. | No.| Lbs.|Inches.
----------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-------
Extreme length of piece | | | 68.15
Length of barrel | | | 33
Length of breech-casing | | | 21.5
Length of feed-case | | | 14.5
Cartridges in each case | 12| |
Cartridges in each ammunition-chest | 472| 315|
Total number of rounds for each gun | 2592| |
Gun (weight) | | 1008|
Total weight of gun, implements, carriage, and| | |
limber | | 3263|
Number of barrels | 6| |
Number of grooves | 6| |
Depth of grooves | | | 0.01
Twist: one turn in six feet. | | |
Preponderance | | 110|
Number of horses for each piece | 6| |
Number of horses for each caisson | 6| |
----------------------------------------------+-----+-----+-------
For field service each piece is accompanied by one caisson.
NOMENCLATURE OF THE 0.45-INCH GUN (1883).
=Components.=--Adjustable-screw nut; barrels (10); breech-casing;
breech-casing screws (6); bushings (10); cartridge-carrier;
cartridge-shell ejector; cartridge-shell ejector-screws (3);
cartridge-shell extractor-block; cartridge-shell extractor-block screws
(2); cascable-plate; cocking device; crank; crank-latch; crank-shaft;
diaphragm; dowel-pins; extractor-hooks (10); firing-pins (10); front
cap; main shaft; oscillating-thread nut and washer; rear-guide nut;
rear plate for barrels; rear sight; worm; worm-gear; rear-sight screws;
front plate for barrels; front sight; front-sight screws; gas-collar;
gun-frame; hopper; hopper-hinge; hopper-hinge pin; hopper-hinge screws
(2); hopper-latch; hopper-latch screws; lock-cylinder; lock-cylinder
screws (2); lock-extractor; lock-extractor screws; lock-extractor
sleeve; lock-extractor sleeve-screws (2); lock-mainsprings (10);
lock-nuts (10); lock-tubes (10); spiral cam; spiral-cam screws (2);
trunnions (2); washer for front end of main shaft.
=Appendages.=--Adjusting screw-wrench; brass wiping-rod; clamp for
worm-gear; feed-cases, straight (48); lock screw-driver; pin-wrench;
rear-guide nut-wrench; shell-driver; small screw-driver; T screw-driver.
=The Carriage.=--Shafts; eye-bolts and straps (6); splinter-bar; step;
hounds; assembling-bolts; prop; foot-board; floor; bed; bed-plate;
clamp-screws (2); ammunition-chests (2); chest-handles (2); lid;
lid-latch (2); corner-plates; angle-irons; tool-box; tool-box latch;
tool-box straps and hinges; guard-plate; linch-pins (2); washers (2).
GATLING GUN, SHORT BARREL, MODEL 1875.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISMOUNTING.
1. Turn the crank, and as each mark on the rear barrel-plate comes
opposite the mark on the front of hopper remove the locks by means of
the lock-plug.
2. Remove screws and take off the cascable-plate.
3. Remove screw from left end of crank-shaft and take off
oscillating-screw.
4. Remove worm steady-pin by tapping the small pin until it is loose,
then turn the crank backwards and remove with fingers, and take out the
crank-shaft, worm, and sleeve.
5. Remove screw from rear end of main shaft and take off worm-gear.
6. Remove the adjusting-screw cover and take out the adjusting-screw
and set-nut.
7. Remove clamp-stop from elevating screw clamp and screw out the clamp.
8. Screw in the elevating-screw as far as it will go, then lift the
elevating-screw and its sleeve by the handle clear of its seat and out
of the traversing apparatus, allowing the front end of barrels to drop
down slowly as far as they will go, and remove traversing apparatus by
sliding to the left.
9. Remove screws and take off breech-casing.
10. Take out hinge-pin and remove hopper.
11. Remove screws which secure lock-cam cylinder to breech-casing,
remove lock-cam cylinder, and take out cocking-cam piston and spring.
12. Take group of barrels out of frame (one man holding sleeve on front
end of main shaft to prevent dropping) and remove sleeve.
13. Take out screw from lock-cylinder, back out steady-pin which holds
rear-guide nut, and remove the nut. (The nut works on a left-hand
thread.)
14. Take off lock-cylinder and carrier-block.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING.
1. Replace carrier-block and lock-cylinder.
2. Replace rear-guide nut, and put in steady-pin and lock-cylinder
screw.
3. Replace sleeve (small end to the front) and place group of barrels
in frame.
4. Replace cocking-cam piston and spring, place lock-cam cylinder in
interior of breech-casing, and put in screws.
5. Replace hopper and put in hinge-pin.
6. Replace breech-casing and put in screws.
7. Replace traversing apparatus; place head of elevating-screw in its
seat in traversing apparatus, and put elevating-screw with sleeve in
place.
8. Screw in elevating-screw clamp as far as it will go and put in
clamp-screw.
9. Replace adjusting-screw with set-nut and put on cover.
10. Replace worm-gear and spline-screw.
11. Replace sleeve, worm, and crank-shaft, and put steady-pin in worm.
12. Replace oscillating-screw and put screw in left end of crank-shaft.
13. Replace cascable-plate and put in screws.
14. Replace locks according to numbers on front of locks and rear
barrel-plate.
15. Replace lock-plugs.
GATLING GUN, LONG BARREL, MODEL 1883.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISMOUNTING.
1. Remove hinge-pin and take off hopper.
2. Remove lock-plug by turning to the right and take out locks.
3. Turn off the adjuster-knob by pressing down the catch and turning
the knob to the left, or pressing down the catch and turning the crank
in the same direction as when firing.
4. Remove the worm-cover, pull out the crank-shaft split-pin, and
remove washer from left end of crank-shaft; hold one hand under
worm-cover hole and draw out the crank-shaft to the right. In this
operation the worm will fall through the worm-cover hole, and should be
caught in the hand.
5. Take off the cascable-plate. To do this, first see that the
cocking-switch is in the firing position, which is indicated by the
arrow pointing forward. Then turn out the cascable-plate screw, and
turn the plate to the left until the arrows on the plate and casing
meet; hold one hand under worm-cover hole to receive worm-gear, and
pull the plate off to the rear.
6. Take out the lock-cam. First pull the cocking-switch outward,
turning it to the right until it snaps in the notch, the arrow pointing
downward; the cam can now be pulled out, using the cam-extractor, or
the fingers of both hands.
7. Take out the shell-guide.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING.
1. Put in the shell-guide.
2. Put in the lock-cam, then turn the cocking-switch so that the arrow
points forward.
3. Put on the cascable-plate. Be sure that the gear is inside the
worm-cover hole, and turn the plate and gear until the grooves on the
latter meet the splines on the main shaft; then push the plate into
place, and turn to the right until the arrows on plate and casing meet.
4. Put in the crank-shaft and worm (countersunk-end of the latter to
the right) and secure with washer and split-pin.
5. Screw on the adjuster-knob; turn it up as far as possible, and then
back until lines on catch and ratchet meet.
6. Put in locks as numbered on front of locks and rear barrel-plate,
and put in lock-plug.
7. Put on hopper and replace hinge-pin.
NOMENCLATURE OF THE 1-INCH GUN.
=In View.=--Main shaft, around which the barrels are clustered; front
plate, which supports the front of the barrels; rear plate, which
supports the rear end of the barrels; barrels; gun-frame; trunnions;
gun-face; front sight; rear sight; breech-casing; breech-casing
screws; cascable-plate; hopper; ejector; cartridge-carrier;
crank; elevating-screw; elevating-screw box; elevating-screw bed;
elevating-screw handle; wiping-rod (brass); ejecting-rod (iron); lock;
lock-tube; lock-hammer; lock-spring; firing-pin; extractor.
=Within the Breech-casing.=--Lock-cylinder; rear-guide nut;
cocking-ring; cocking-ring clamp; spiral cam; diaphragm;
diaphragm-plug; gear-wheel; pinion; rear-cam screw.
TO TAKE THE GUN APART.
The piece is first dismounted and placed with its casing resting on
blocks. Mounting and dismounting are best accomplished by means of
a gin. In case of necessity, it may be mounted and dismounted as a
field-piece, care being taken to place blocks of wood to receive the
gun-frame and to prevent injury to the front sight, or to the barrels.
The operations of taking apart are executed in the following order:
1. Block up the frame and barrels.
2. Remove the hopper.
3. Remove the cascable-plate.
4. Take out the steady-pin; then turn the crank downwards and remove
the crank shaft in that position.
5. Remove the rear sight, and take out the large gear-wheel.
6. Take out the rear plug in the diaphragm, and then gently revolve
the gun until a lock presents itself on a line with the hole in the
diaphragm, through which one lock after another is taken out.
7. Take out the breech-casing screws, and remove the casing by drawing
it off to the rear. Care is taken in this operation to have the
lock-cylinder and gun supported, so as to keep the axis of the main
shaft parallel to the top of the frame. This is necessary to prevent
the rear end of the gun from dropping when the casing is removed.
8. Remove the pin from the large nut on the main shaft in rear of the
locks, and take this nut off by turning it to the _right_; then remove
the lock-cylinder and carrier from the main shaft.
The spiral cam need not be taken out of the casing in order to take the
gun apart.
TO ASSEMBLE THE GUN.
1. Put the main shaft in its place through the plates which hold
the barrels, and then put in their proper places the carrier,
lock-cylinder, and large rear nut. The latter should be screwed up
tight and have the taper-pin put through the nut and shaft.
2. Place the gun within the frame, and let the front end of the main
shaft rest in the hole designed for it in the front of the frame. When
the gun is in this position, the cocking-ring should be shoved over the
lock-cylinder and left for the time loosely around the carrier.
3. Let the breech of the gun be slightly raised, when the breech-casing
can be shoved over the lock-cylinder to its place; then screw the
casing to the frame, putting, in the meantime, the cocking-ring in its
proper place. Revolve the gun to the right or left so that the places
for the locks will come on a line with the hole in the diaphragm,
through which one lock at a time can be inserted in its proper
position; afterwards the screw-plug should be inserted to close the
hole.
4. Put on the cog-wheels, replace the crank-shaft, pinion, and
steady-pin. Put on the rear sight, and screw on the cascable-plate and
hopper, and the gun is ready to be mounted. The piece is mounted on
a 3-inch gun-carriage widened between the cheeks to receive it. The
ammunition-chests are arranged for twelve trays. For field service each
piece is accompanied by one caisson.
THE GARDNER GUN (CAL. 0.45″).
[Illustration: FIG. 94.]
Weight of gun 142 lbs.
" " " and carriage 502 "
Shots per minute 357
This gun consists of two breech-loading rifled barrels, _a_ (Fig.
95), (chambered at the rear to admit a flanged centre-fire metallic
cartridge), having their axes in the same horizontal plane enclosed and
supported in a bronze casing. The two openings in the front part of
this casing are for the circulation of air to keep the barrels cool.
The barrels are without motion, and are loaded and fired by the action
of the breech mechanism, which is contained in the rectangular rear
part of the casing. This is closed at the top by a hinged cover, _c_,
which is firmly locked in position by screwing up the cascable.
[Illustration: FIG. 95.
_a._ barrels.
_b._ casing.
_c._ breech-cover.
_d._ locks.
_e e′_. cams.
_f._ ejectors.
_g._ feed.
_h._ main spring-compressor.
_i._ cocking-cam.
_j._ cocking-lever.
_l._ feed-valve lever.
_v._ feed-valve.
]
[Illustration: FIG. 96.]
Motion is given to all the parts by the cams (_a_, Fig. 96), which are
attached to the three steel disks, _b_, at opposite extremities of a
diameter, and the whole is rotated around an axis, _c_, by means of a
crank, _d_. The parts _abc_ form the main crank, which is supported in
journal-boxes that are locked into the body of the rear case as shown
in Fig. 95.
[Illustration: FIG. 97.]
The =Lock= (Fig. 97) in form resembles the letter U, having an
extension from its side which contains the firing-pin, _h_; the
mainspring, _i_, whose ends abut against the collar, _k_, on the
firing-pin, and the sector-sleeve, _l_, which slides over the
firing-pin; the sector or spring-compressor, _n_; the extractor, _b_;
the sear, _e_; and the sear-spring, _j_. The U part of the lock,
that works under and around the cam, is curved at the inner front to
correspond with the outer circle of the cam, the office of the curved
front being to hold the lock in position for firing. The circular
firing-pin is flattened a portion of its length near the front end, to
allow it to pass under the extractor, by which it is held in position.
It extends from the head of the lock through the mainspring and
sector-sleeve, terminating in a head, _m_, for locking into the sear.
The sear, _e_, pivoted in the centre of the lock, holds the firing-pin
securely, and prevents it from touching the cartridge until it is
released from its hold by the action of the cam, when the lock is in
its extreme forward position.
The sector or spring-compressor, _n_, hinged in a recess of the lock,
and engaging, by means of gear-teeth, with the sector-sleeve, _l_,
has its arm, _g_, forced against the safety-stop, _o_, as the cam
advances, thus compressing, through the medium of the sector-sleeve,
the mainspring, and holding it tense until released by action of the
sear.
The lock-heads serve as breech-plugs, and receive the recoil when the
cartridges are fired. Each lock carries a _hooked extractor_ which
rides over and catches the flange of the cartridge, when the lock is
forced forward, and when the lock retreats withdraws the empty shell
until it comes within reach of the ejector, by which it is positively
thrown out. The ejectors, _ff_, hinged to the case, are driven by
projections on the sides of the locks which give them positive
movements to eject the empty shells.
The =Feed=, resembling the Bruce feed but without the wheel, is fixed
to the casing in rear of the barrels. Below the feed-guide the casing
has two holes for the passage of cartridges, and below the holes is the
feed-valve, which slides at right angles to the barrels when driven by
the forked-shaped lever which receives its motion from the bolts as
they move forward.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. If the crank be turned before the feeding of the cartridges is
commenced, the first few will fall irregularly and check the working of
the gun.
2. Be careful to reclamp firmly the swivel and pointing-lever after
pointing.
3. To oscillate the gun without changing the elevation, unclamp the
swivel and turn the gun back and forth from right to left by means of
the pointing-lever, regulating the amplitude of the vibration by the
oscillation-stop head.
4. When the firing is discontinued, turn the safety-crank downwards
and to the front, until the crank-stop drops into its front recess in
the casing.
5. This gun may be fired by turning the crank backward.
NOMENCLATURE OF THE GUN.
=In and about the Casing.=--Lock (lock-frame; lock-frame heads;
lock-frame truck; locking-lever; locking-lever pins; locking-lever
stop-pins; firing-pin; firing-pin rack; mainspring; sear; sear-pin;
sear-spring; sear-spring pin; extractor); casing (body); casing
(cover); cascable; cascable-screw; rear sight and pinion; rear-sight
guide; lock-cam; lock-cam recoil-plates; lock-cam journal-boxes;
perforated plate; perforated plate cartridge-support; shell-starter;
cocking-cam; cocking-cam screws; hand-crank; hand-crank pin; hand-crank
handle; ejector; ejector-pins; lock-guide; cartridge-guide; feed-valve;
feed-valve slide; feed-valve seat; feed-valve lever; feed-valve
lever-screw; feed-valve lever-slide; feed-guide; feed-guide catch;
feed-guide cartridge-stop; front sight; mainspring-compressor; lever
and compressor locks; compressor-guide; safety-crank; safety-crank
stop; safety-crank stop-spring; safety-crank shaft, safety-crank
shaft-lever and pins; front-sight spring; barrels; front barrel-plate;
front barrel-plate pin; rear barrel-plate; rear barrel-plate pin.
=About the Carriage.=--Swivel (the brass casting connecting casing and
carriage); swivel and casing pivot-pins, ring, chain, and lock-pin;
swivel-clamp; swivel-clamp screw, gunner's seat; swivel-clamp
screw-collar; swivel and carriage pivot-bolt locks; swivel and carriage
pivot-bolt lock-lever; swivel and carriage pivot-bolt lock-lever ring
and chain; elevating and pointing-lever; pointing-lever pivot-pin ring
chain and lock-pins; pointing-lever clamp, lock-chain; pointing-lever
clamp-screw; oscillation-stop, trail handspikes, oscillation-stop
traversing-screw; oscillation-stop limit-screw.
=Implements, etc.=--Wiping-rod; T screw-driver; lock-wrench; headless
shell-extractor; packing-case; shell-driver; hammer; drifts;
breech-casing cover (leather).
THE CARRIAGE.
The distinctive feature of the carriage is the arrangement for
oscillation, the lateral movement being regulated by a clamp, which
compresses, or allows to expand, a metallic ring concentric with
the pivot around which the gun moves. The lever for elevating or
depressing, as well as giving the oscillation, is peculiar to this gun.
THE LIMBER.
The limber-chest is opened in rear by a lid, which falls down, and is
held in place by jointed braces, thereby serving as a shelf. When down,
it exposes a series of drawers six in number, and two recesses for
implements. In these drawers the ammunition is carried in the original
pasteboard packages. Each drawer has a capacity for 45 packages or 900
rounds, thus giving to each limber 5400 rounds.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISMOUNTING.
1. Unscrew the cascable and raise the breech-cover.
2. Remove the locks. To do this, turn the crank until one of the
lock-cam recoil-plates is uppermost; rotate the corresponding lock
about the recoil-plate until it is vertical, and draw it out at front.
The other lock may be removed in the same manner.
3. Remove the ejectors directly by their pins.
4. Remove the lock-cam, raising it vertically by means of its
journal-boxes.
5. Turn out the feed-valve and valve-lever screws, and remove valve,
valve-slide, lever, and lever-slide.
6. Drive out the safety-crank pin, and remove crank.
7. Drive out the safety-crank shaft and remove the spline.
TO DISMOUNT THE LOCK.
1. Drive out the extractor-pin, and remove the extractor.
2. Unscrew the lock-head by means of the lock-wrench.
3. Uncock by pressing on the sear, and turn the cocking-lever to the
rear; drive out the cocking-lever pin, and remove the lever.
4. Draw out the firing pin, remove the rack, and unscrew the mainspring.
5. Drive out the sear-spring pin, and remove the spring.
6. Drive out the sear-spring, and remove the sear.
7. Drive out the truck-pin, and remove the truck.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING.
1. Put in safety-crank shaft and spline.
2. Put in safety-crank and crank-pin.
3. Replace the feed-valve, valve-slide, lever, and lever-slide, and the
feed-valve and valve-lever screws.
4. Replace the lock-cam, lowering it vertically into place by its
journal-boxes, with the oil-holes in journal-boxes on top.
5. Replace the ejectors.
6. Replace the locks. For this purpose each of the lock-cam
recoil-plates must be uppermost, in succession.
7. Lower the breech-cover and screw up the cascable.
TO ASSEMBLE THE LOCK.
1. Replace the truck and drive in the truck-pin.
2. Replace the sear and pin.
3. Replace the sear-spring and pin.
4. Screw on the mainspring, replace the rack with notch towards head of
firing-pin.
5. Replace cocking-lever with its front tooth in front space on rack,
put in lever-pin, and cock by turning cocking-lever to the front.
6. Turn the firing-pin so that its flat is parallel with the
extractor-slot, and screw on the lock-head by means of the lock-wrench.
7. Replace the extractor and extractor-pin.
THE MAXIM AUTOMATIC MACHINE-GUN.
[Illustration: FIG. 98.]
Weight 50 lbs.
Calibre Small arms ammunition
Rapidity of fire 600 to 650 shots per minute
The gun consists of two parts, viz., the recoiling and non-recoiling.
[Illustration: FIG. 99.]
[Illustration: FIG. 100.]
The =Recoiling Part= is the barrel and its extension. The barrel is
an ordinary rifle barrel with a breech-sleeve to which is secured the
extension. The extension of the barrel consists of two vertical steel
plates, between which the lock and the gear connected therewith operate
on guides and bearings.
[Illustration: FIG. 101.]
The =Lock= bears a vertically sliding piece, _D_ (called the
carrier), on its fore end, and does not differ materially from that
of an ordinary pistol. It is secured by a divided screw to the
connecting-rod, _B_, of a crank, _E_, the shaft of which passes through
the plates. There is also a handle to the shaft on the right side of
the gun outside, and a curved arm to the crank.
The =Trigger=, _F_, immediately in rear of the mainspring, _M_, is
actuated by the rod, _S_, which is operated by the lever, _L_, having
at its upper end a double button. Pressing this button draws back the
rod and releases the hammer, _G_, and firing-pin, _H_. In rear of
the gun is a catch, which when down prevents the lever being pressed
forward.
The =Non-recoiling Portion= consists of the gun-case and the
water-jacket. This portion is mounted on trunnions, and has attached
traversing, elevating, and depressing gear, and is provided with
handles and sights for aiming and the double button for firing.
On the right side of the gun-case is a solidly attached
resistance-piece, _C_. The curved crank-arm, _A_, is at a small
distance from it when the gun is in a firing position, to avoid escape
of gas to the rear and fouling of the chamber.
On the left side of the gun-case is a strong spiral spring the rear end
of which is connected, by a chain and fusee, with the crank shaft, and
the fore end is connected to the gun-case by means of the spring-case;
this spiral spring is to bring back the barrel after the recoil and
to work the crank; the working strength of the spring can be adjusted
by means of the screw at the fore end. The water-jacket surrounds the
barrel and is fitted with three openings, one for receiving the water,
one for drawing it off, and the third for letting off the steam; the
first two are closed by screw-plugs, the third is always open. Both
ends of the water-jacket are fitted with stuffing-boxes and glands;
these guide the barrel and prevent the escape of water.
In the feed-box, on top of the gun, are two movable pawls and two
stationary ones. The movable pawls are connected by a lever to the
barrel and are so adjusted that the barrel on recoiling moves them
from left to right; by means of a spring they engage behind the next
cartridge in the belt, and thus the cartridges move on automatically
towards the chamber; when the barrel returns after the recoil, the
pawls place the cartridge, still in the belt, immediately above the
chamber.
OPERATION OF THE MECHANISM.
=Cocking the Lock.=--As the lock is brought away from the breech, by
the action of the crank, the connecting-rod throws down the hammer,
thereby pulling back the firing-pin and compressing the mainspring,
which causes the short arm of the trigger to engage under the lug
of the hammer, and thus the lock is cocked and cannot act until the
trigger is pulled clear of the lug on the hammer. The safety-sear,
_V_, pressed down by a small spring, engages in the upper part of
the firing-pin as it is drawn back by the action of the hammer; the
firing-pin cannot move forward until this sear is raised; this is done
by the connecting-rod, after it rises above the horizontal, thereby
securely closing the breech with the lock.
=Operation in Firing.=--In starting the gun the breech mechanism is
operated by hand to insert the first cartridge in the barrel. The gun
is then fired by pressing the firing-button. On the explosion of the
cartridge the barrel and the gear connected therewith recoil about the
distance of one inch. During the recoil the crank-arm comes in contact
with the resistance-piece, _K_, and throws over the crank, bringing
the end of the crank-handle onto the spring-buffer. The curve on the
crank-arm is so arranged that the crank gets an accelerated movement by
which the lock is thrown back clear of the breech and far enough for
the carrier to extract the empty case from the chamber and a cartridge
from the belt.
The turning of the crank winds the chain attached to the spiral spring
round the fusee, thus extending the spring. As the lock goes backwards
the carrier is pressed down by its spring, and when in its lowest
position the new cartridge is opposite the barrel and the empty case
opposite the ejecting-tube.
The action of the spiral spring now brings back the barrel and its
extension to their normal position; it also unwinds the chain from the
fusee, thus turning the crank to its normal position, which throws the
lock forward; as the lock moves forward it pushes the new cartridge
into the barrel and the empty case into the ejecting-tube, _Q_.
During the last one sixteenth of an inch of the forward travel of the
lock the carrier is raised by the carrier-levers, which are actuated by
the lugs on the fore end of the connecting-rod, and when it arrives at
its highest position it is held by a spring.
CARRYING AMMUNITION.
Belts, each holding 350 rounds, are carried in boxes for which there
are receptacles on the different carriages. From four to six belts may
be carried with each gun. In preparing the belts the cartridges are
pushed in until about ⅛ inch of the brass case of the cartridge comes
through the belt, or until the ends of the bullets come in line with
the ends of the projecting brass strips.
TO LOAD AND FIRE.
Pass the end of the belt through the feed-box from right to left, seize
it as it comes through with the left hand, and turn the crank-handle
forward with the right hand as far as the spring-buffer; hold it in
that position until the belt has been pulled through as far as it will
go, and then let the crank-handle return to the firing position of its
own accord. Repeat the operation just described. Now press the double
button and firing commences.
To unload, it is only necessary to move the crank-handle forward twice
and then press the spring underneath the feed-box, which will cause the
pawls to disengage from the belt, and draw out the belt from left to
right.
CARE OF GUN.
Before using the gun fill the water-jacket through the hole near its
end. It holds about 2½ quarts. A water-bag, holding two gallons,
is usually carried on the lower ammunition-box under the axle of the
gun-carriage.
Oil thoroughly the packing in the stuffing-boxes and see that the
barrel goes close home forward.
When the firing is completed, clean the working parts and oil slightly,
and draw off water from the water-jacket.
Two locks are provided with each gun.
CARRIAGES.
A tripod weighing 47 lbs. for mountain service. This is sometimes
fitted with an axle and two light wheels, and is provided with
a light limber, the long leg of the tripod forming the trail. A
cavalry-carriage weighing complete 1115 lbs. An infantry-carriage
weighing complete 641 lbs.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISMOUNTING.
1. Press the spring-catch and open the cover.
2. Remove the feed-box by lifting it up out of the gun-frame.
3. Remove the lock; to do this, turn the crank-handle, which brings
back the lock from the barrel, and disengage it from the guides; now
let the crank-handle go slowly backwards and at the same time lift
the lock upwards; the lock will rise, and when in this position one
eighth of a turn will detach its divided screw from the threads on the
connecting-rod, when it can be lifted out.
4. Press the spring-box forward and lift the three lugs out of their
respective pins, then disengage the spring from the chain and remove
the box with the spring.
5. Drive out the pin, and remove the double-button lever with the
spring and cup.
6. Drive out the handle-block pin; start the handle-block by slight
blows with a mallet or piece of wood from beneath, lift it out of the
gun-frame, and remove the rod.
7. Remove the two small slides by sliding them back out of the
gun-frame.
8. Draw the recoiling-frame with barrel out from the gun-frame and
water-jacket.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING.
1. Replace the barrel and recoiling-frame.
2. Replace the two small slides.
3. Replace the rod and put the handle-block in the gun-frame; see that
the rod enters its seat in the handle-block before driving the block
home, and put in the pin.
4. Engage the double-button lever with the rod, and replace the lever,
spring, and cup, and put in the pin.
5. Engage the spring with the chain not wound around the fusee and
replace the spring-box.
6. Replace the lock by screwing it into the connecting-rod until the
two shoulders meet, then turn the crank-handle forward, guide lock into
its guides, and let the crank-handle go slowly back to its place.
7. Replace the feed-box, with the stud in its seat, in the recoil-frame.
8. Close the cover by pressing the spring-catch.
TO DISMOUNT THE LOCK.
(See Fig. 101.)
All pins enter from right to left. In driving out a pin see that the
side of the lock round the pin is well supported.
See that the carrier is in its highest position; then release the
mainspring by lifting the safety-sear and pulling the trigger.
1. Take out the pin (1) which secures the mainspring and the clip which
keeps the carrier-levers in their places. Remove the mainspring, clip,
and carrier-levers.
2. Take out the pin (2) that secures the sear. Remove the sear.
3. Drift out the pin (3) that secures the hammer. Remove the hammer.
4. Drift out the tapered pin (4) that secures the safety-sear. Remove
the safety-sear and the firing-pin.
5. Take out the pin (5) that secures the piece which regulates the
downward position of the carrier and keeps the carrier in its place.
Remove piece and carrier.
6. Remove the cover (6) at the back of the carrier and take out the
upper piece and spring; the lower piece is riveted onto the carrier.
TO MOUNT THE LOCK.
1. Put the upper piece and spring into their place in the face of the
carrier and slide on the cover (6).
2. Place the carrier in its grooves, put in the piece which holds the
carrier in its place, and drive in the pin (5) which secures the piece.
3. Put in the safety-sear and the firing-pin; drive in the tapered pin
(4) that secures the safety-sear.
4. Put in the hammer, taking care that its point enters the slot in the
firing-pin. Drive in the pin (3) that secures the hammer. When the pin
(3) is in place, upset the point slightly by a few blows of a small
hammer.
5. Put in the sear and the pin (2) which secures it.
6. Place the carrier-levers in their places; put in the mainspring,
taking care its point enters the slot in the firing-pin; put on the
clip and drive in the pin (1) which secures the mainspring and clip.
NOTE.--There may be a little difficulty in entering the pin
(1), but a special tool is supplied, which, being entered from left
to right, will hold the clip and mainspring in their places, and
then the pin (1) can be driven home from right to left, which, in
its passage through the hole, will remove the tool.
METALLIC CARRIAGE FOR MACHINE GUNS.
This carriage, manufactured by the Ordnance Department, is designed for
any machine-gun; each kind of gun to be provided with its own mount
adapted to the carriage, which is made of steel.
The design includes a spherical shield above and a plane apron below
the axle for the protection of the cannoneers. The apron is hinged to
the axle and is folded up and keyed to the under side of the trail when
not in action. The spherical shield can be removed if desired.
The body is the axle, and it and part of the trail make a chest for
ammunition in which 1200 .45-calibre cartridges, packed in paper boxes,
can be carried.
Two doors, right and left of trail, on inner side, give access to
the cartridge-space in the body, and a door on top of the upper end
of trail to the cartridge-space in the trail, the two parts being
continuous. Lower down in the trail is a tool-box to which the
trail-seat, when raised, gives access. The top of the carriage makes a
convenient table for tools, feed-guides, and ammunition when in action.
The shield with aperture and disks are so combined that the gun can be
readily pointed without exposure.