Machine Gun Manual
By CAPTAIN H. DOUGLAS
Sherwood Foresters
National Team (England)
Kolapore Team (Great Britain)
British Rifle Team (Australian Tour)
A COMPLETE MANUAL TO MACHINE GUNNERY
containing details of
MAXIM VICKERS LEWIS COLT HOTCHKISS
together with
DRILL
(Elementary and Advanced)
Fire Orders, Notes from the Front
and a mass of other
Useful Information
ILLUSTRATED
LONDON
HARRISON AND SONS
Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty Military Printers, Publishers and
Stationers
ST. MARTIN’S LANE, W.C.
[Illustration: Telephone 11596 CENTRAL MAXIMS Makers of Good Clothes
Telephone 990 MAYFAIR]
_Telephone 11596 CENTRAL_
MAXIMS Makers of Good Clothes
_Telephone 990 MAYFAIR_
[Illustration: [Coat]]
For the best value in
MILITARY OUTFITS.
THE “MAXIM” Trench Coat (as illustrated) with _detachable fleece
lining_. Made from fine quality Khaki Twill, lined with rainproof lining
and interlined with oiled silk,
£4 . 10 . 0
Light and warm, absolutely wind and rain proof.
Write for complete illustrated list.
71, NEW BOND STREET, W. 141 & 142, FENCHURCH STREET, E.C. LONDON.
Contents.
Maxim Gun. PAGE
General description 5
Plates and list of parts 11
To mount and dismount 16
„ load and unload 16
„ clean 17
Muzzle attachment 18
Fusee spring 18
Stripping and assembling 19
Examination and testing 21
Stoppages 23
Vickers’ Light Gun.
Plates and list of parts 31
Special features 35
To mount and dismount 36
„ load and unload 36
„ clean 36
Muzzle attachment 37
Fusee spring 37
Stripping and assembling 38
Stoppages 39
Examination and testing 39
Points to be attended to (Maxim and Vickers’) 40
Belt filling 40
Lewis Automatic Gun.
Plates and list of parts 43
Description 47
To load and unload 49
Stripping and assembling 50
Stoppages 53
Colt Automatic Gun.
Description 55
To load and unload 58
Stoppages 59
Stripping and assembling 62
Plates and list of parts 65
Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun.
Component parts and plates 67
General description 71
Action of the mechanism 71
To strip and assemble the gun 73
Points to be attended to before firing 78
Rapid change of barrel in the field 80
Stoppages 82
Cleaning and care 83
Feed strip filling machine 83
General.
Duties 85
Section drill (with and without transport) 86
Elementary tests 90
Machine gun characteristics 90
Fire direction 91
Fire orders 93
Signals 94
War establishment 95
General machine gun course 97
Notes from overseas 100
Points to remember 100
Choice of gun position 100
Employment of machine guns 100
Occupation of positions 102
Trench work 106
In action 107
Village fighting 109
Attack on entrenched position 110
Co-operation 112, 118
Targets and ranges 112
Guns brigaded in action 115
Indication and recognition 116
Observation of fire 117
Ammunition supply 119
Mechanical troubles 119
Pack transport 120
Training in billets 121
Painting of guns 122
_Telephone 11596 CENTRAL_
MAXIMS
Makers of Good Clothes
_Telephone 990 MAYFAIR_
FOR THE BEST VALUE IN
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Service Kit for any regiment in 36 hours.
£ s.
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Slacks 1 1
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_Complete! Illustrated List on request, or better still, call and
inspect our stock._
141 & 142, FENCHURCH STREET, E.C.
71, NEW BOND STREET, W.
LONDON.
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[Sidenote: 43 years’ service.]
SANDS, HUNTER & CO., LTD.
37, Bedford St., Strand, W.C.
_The Specialists in Photographic Apparatus._
The Maxim Gun.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
Weight of the ·303-in. gun, 60 lbs. Weight of the tripod, 48 lbs. Weight
of ammunition box containing one filled belt, Mark VI 21 lbs., Mark VII
19½ lbs.
The gun may be considered as divided into two portions—the non-recoiling
and the recoiling. It is worked automatically by two forces—the
explosion of the charge which forces the recoiling portion backwards,
and a strong spring (called the fusee spring) which carries it forward.
Non-Recoiling Portion.
The non-recoiling portion consists of the barrel casing and breech
casing, and is attached to the mounting by the crosshead and elevating
joint pins.
The barrel casing is of gunmetal, holding about seven pints of water to
keep the barrel cool when firing; it has three openings, one on the
upper right side near the breech for filling, one underneath near the
muzzle for drawing off the water, and the third (also near the muzzle)
for allowing the steam, but not the water, to escape. The first two are
closed with screwed plugs; the last is open and connected with the steam
tube, and carries the condenser nipple.
A cork plug is provided which can be inserted in the steam escape hole
when the gun is travelling, in order to prevent waste of water from
jolting. The plug should always be taken out before commencing to fire,
and put in again before the gun changes position, unless the condenser
is attached to the barrel casing and can be conveniently moved with the
gun.
To prevent the escape of water, there is at the forward end of the
barrel casing asbestos packing, which is held in position round the
barrel by the packing gland. At the rear end of the barrel there is a
cannelure, also filled with asbestos packing, which prevents the escape
of water when the gun is working, and a gunmetal valve immediately in
front of the barrel block, which prevents the escape of water when the
gun is not firing and the barrel home.
The steam tube consists of a fixed tube and an outer tube, termed the
slide valve, so arranged as to slide freely along the fixed tube. In the
fixed tube there is a hole near each end, and a third hole in the
threaded portion in front, to connect with the steam escape hole which
is bored in the solid part of the front end of the barrel casing. This
tube is fixed into the solid end of the barrel casing, and is retained
in position by a screw which, being kept in adjustment by a keeper
screw, ensures that the third hole coincides with the steam escape hole.
At the breech end it fits into a recess.
If the gun is fired with elevation, the valve slides backwards, and,
closing up the hole at the rear end of the tube, prevents the water
entering; at the same time it leaves the front hole uncovered, which,
being above the water level, allows the steam to enter the tube and
escape through the steam escape hole in the barrel casing. Similarly, if
the gun is fired with depression, the valve slides forward and allows
the steam, but not the water, to escape through the rear hole.
In the lower part of the barrel casing is the ejector tube through which
the empty cartridge cases are ejected from the gun. The tube is fitted
with a spring, which prevents the cases falling backwards into the gun.
The breech casing consists of two outside plates, a bottom plate which
is riveted to them, and the rear cross piece, the whole being closed by
a cover.
The outside plates are dovetailed into the barrel casing, and, together
with the cover, are secured by means of a cover joint pin.
On the outside of the right hand plate there are the following
fittings:—(1) a socket and stud for securing and supporting the buffer
spring; (2) the resistance piece, and (3) the stud for the check lever.
On the outside of the left hand plate are three studs for holding the
fusee spring box, the rear one being on the slide mentioned below; there
are also two other studs on this plate for fixing a shoulder piece to
the gun if required. In both plates are slots partly closed by slides,
in which the crank bearings move, and on the inside of both plates are
solid cams which control the path of the extractor. Below these, and
supporting the side plates, are rests, along which the recoiling portion
travels.
Along the bottom plate lies the trigger bar, and underneath is a bracket
to which the elevating gear is attached by means of the elevating joint
pin.
The outside plates are connected at the rear end by the rear cross
piece, into which they both dovetail; this piece is fitted with (1)
hollow handles, which are also used for carrying oil, and are closed by
milled heads, fitted with camel-hair brushes; (2) a firing lever and
spring, the lower end of which fits into the trigger bar, while the
upper end is provided with a double button for firing; (3) an automatic
double-handed safety catch, which is so arranged that unless it is held
up the firing lever cannot be pressed forward; and (4) a pivoted
shutter, which, when moved to the right or left, uncovers an aperture
through which (when the lock is removed and the crank handle vertical)
the barrel can be inspected or cleaned from the rear.
The cover is fitted with (1) springs to ensure the extractor dropping on
recoil; (2) a gunmetal block to keep the lock down when back, and (3) at
the rear end, a lock to fasten it. On the upper surface is the tangent
sight, consisting of a stem, a graduated plate and slide. Running
through the centre of the slide is a pinion, the teeth of which work in
the rack on the stem. A pawl is secured to the pinion by a fixing pin.
On the under side of one end of the pawl are teeth, which engage in the
circular rack on the slide.
When the slide is at rest the stud on the inside of the milled head
(nearest the slot for the slide spring) bears on the stud on the pawl
immediately over the teeth, being actuated by the slide spring, thus
forcing the teeth into the circular rack. This keeps the slide
stationary on the stem. On rotating the milled head, this stud is partly
disengaged from the stud on the pawl, thus permitting a second stud on
the milled head to press on one side of the V-shaped ramp at the other
end of the pawl. This action releases the teeth sufficiently to permit
the pawl being moved round the circular rack by the action of the stud
bearing on one side of the V-shaped ramp on the pawl; this moves the
slide along the stem. On releasing the milled head, the spring positions
the cover, thus causing the stud on the pawl to become once more engaged
with the stud on the milled head and force the teeth into the rack.
Recoiling Portion.
The recoiling portion (which is mounted inside the non-recoiling
portion) consists of a barrel and two side plates which carry the lock
and the crank.
The barrel is coated with copper to protect it from rust; the gunmetal
valve referred to above, which prevents the escape of water to the rear,
is fitted just in front of the breech end, which is formed in the shape
of a block; this block has two studs, one on each side, called the
barrel trunnions, by means of which the barrel is attached to the side
plates.
The side plates are each provided with a hole to receive the barrel
trunnions, and in the case of the ·303-in. gun, with hooks for engaging
the recesses on the top of the barrel block; also guides in which the
flanges of the lock move, which are enlarged at the rear end to act as
crank stops; in addition each has a bearing, through which the crank
passes, thus connecting the latter with the barrel; these bearings move
in slots in the breech casing. The left side plate is fitted with a
connecting rod spring to hold the connecting rod upright when the lock
is removed, and the right side plate is fitted with a side plate spring
near the barrel, to keep the extractor in its highest position when the
lock is home. The left side plate is prolonged to the front, and has a
recess in which the bottom lever of the feed block engages.
The crank is fitted with a connecting rod, which is free to rotate on
the crank pin, and, outside the breech casing on the right, with a
handle which has a curved projecting arm, and on the left with a fusee,
to which is attached a chain.
The connecting rod is attached to the crank by means of an axis pin,
called the crank pin, and is arranged to take the lock by means of an
interrupted screw, thereby connecting the crank and the lock. The
connecting rod is divided into two parts, enabling its length to be
increased by inserting washers of varying thicknesses. By this means it
is ensured that a firm pressure is kept on the base of the cartridge at
the moment of firing, thus preventing separations.
On the left of the breech casing there is a strong spiral spring, called
the fusee spring, the rear end of which is connected by the fusee chain
and fusee with the crank; the front end is attached to the breech casing
by means of the fusee spring box and adjusting screw, which passes
through the front end of the fusee spring box, and through the nut at
the front end of the spring.
The lock is attached to the connecting rod by the screwed head, and when
in the firing position closes the breech. In this position it is held by
the side levers, the crank (which bears against stops on the side
plates), and the connecting rod, the joint being slightly above the
horizontal, to prevent the breech being opened at the moment of firing.
The lock has a reciprocating motion communicated to it by the rotation
of the crank, and is kept in position during its backward and forward
movements by means of flanges working in guides on the side plates, and,
when at the end of its backward travel and clear of the guides, by the
gunmetal block underneath the cover.
The extractor is moved upwards by means of the side and extractor
levers, and when in its highest position, is retained there by means of
the side plate spring; this ensures the hole for the firing pin being
opposite the centre of the base of the cartridge when the lock is home.
The upward and downward movements of the extractor are regulated by
guide ribs and stops; the upper stop forms part of the lock casing, and
the lower one is removable.
The feed block, which fits under the cover into a recess cut in the
breech casing, is provided with a slide to which are attached two pawls
with springs, for the purpose of moving the cartridges from right to
left; the slide has a transverse motion given to it by means of two
levers which are fitted together; the top lever has a slot which engages
a stud on the slide, and on the bottom lever is a stud which engages in
a recess in the left side plate; by this means the slide is connected
with the recoiling portion. The feed block has also two stationary
pawls, which engage under the belt and prevent it slipping backwards
during firing. To facilitate the entrance of the cartridges, the feed
block is provided with a band roller, and in addition has steel guides
fitted above and below in the cartridge way, which ensure the cartridges
coming to the exact position where they can be gripped by the extractor;
they are prevented from being pushed too far through to the left by
means of the cartridge and bullet stops, which are inside the feed
block.
The gun is supplied with cartridges from a belt which passes from right
to left through the feed block. This belt is formed by two pieces of
webbing connected together by eyelets and brass strips of two lengths,
the projecting strips showing how far the cartridges should be inserted;
the belt is made thick at the edge next the bullets by being folded over
a piece of cord, so that the cartridges may be kept parallel in passing
through the feed block, and lie evenly in the ammunition belt boxes.
(Flexible steel belts are now being used. These fold into their box in
sections, and by withdrawing a pin the unexpended portion can be
detached and packed away immediately. They appear to be giving
considerable satisfaction, inasmuch as “belt troubles” are practically
impossible.)
Converted Guns.
Converted guns are the original ·45-in. guns made to take the ·303-in.
cartridge.
The conversion consists in the substitution of ·303-in. barrels for the
·45-in. barrels and the adaption of the mechanism to the smaller calibre
by the introduction of new parts or the alteration of existing parts.
The Mark II differs from the Mark I in being fitted with the service
·303-in. barrel and muzzle attachment for ball firing, whereas the Mark
I has a special muzzle attachment and a heavy barrel. The difference in
the barrels affects also certain other parts. In both Marks I and II
converted guns the attachment for ball firing must always be on the
guns, as, owing to the greater weight of the component parts, these guns
will not work without it.
The tangent sight is graduated to 2,500 yards.
The weight is 64 lbs.
In other respects they resemble the ·303-in. gun except that the
connecting rod is not above the horizontal and that there is a space of
about ⅒ of an inch between the projecting arm of the crank handle and
the resistance piece.
Ammunition.
All marks of ·303-in. ball ammunition may be used, but care should be
taken to select ammunition of the most recent manufacture. Mark VII can,
however, be used only in guns specially modified to take it.
Explanation of Plates I and II.
1. End of crank.
2. Projecting arm of crank handle.
3. Crank handle.
4. Breech casing.
5. Fusee spring }
}
6. Chain } Dotted
} lines in
7. Fusee } Fig. 1.
}
8. Spring box }
9. Resistance piece.
10. Buffer spring.
11. Check lever.
12. Lock casing.
13. Firing lever.
14. Trigger bar.
15. Projection on trigger bar.
16. Trigger.
17. Tumbler.
18. Lockspring.
19. Firing pin.
20. Crank.
21. Crank pin.
22. Connecting rod.
22A. Cotter.
23. Side levers.
24. Sear.
25. Extractor.
26. Barrel.
27. Ejector tube.
28. Horns of extractor.
29. Keeper bracket.
30. Side cams.
31. Cover spring.
32. Cover.
33. Gib.
34. Adjusting screw for fusee spring.
35. Extractor spring.
36. Handles.
37. Double button.
38. Trigger bar spring.
39. Gib spring.
41. Extractor levers.
42. Belt.
43. Upper extractor stop.
44. Groove for side plate spring.
45. Cartridge grooves.
46. Ejector tube spring.
47. Side plates.
48. Guides in which flanges of lock move.
49. Guide ribs for extractor.
50. Cover lock.
51. Gunmetal block.
52. Hole for firing pin.
53. Safety catch.
54. Screwed head.
55. Connecting rod spring.
56. Crank bearings.
57. Slots, breech casing.
58. Crank stops.
59. Ammunition belt box, No. 2.
60. Feed block.
61. Top lever feed block.
62. Cork plug.
63. Feed block slide.
64. Top pawl.
65. Bottom pawl.
66. Band roller.
67. Barrel casing.
68. Screwed plug for filling.
69. Asbestos packing.
70. Packing gland.
71. Cannelure for asbestos packing.
72. Gunmetal valve.
73. Steam tube.
74. }
} Holes in steam tube.
75. }
76. Slide valve.
77. Steam escape hole.
78. Milled heads of oil brushes.
79. Oil brush.
80. Sight, tangent.
81. Sight, fore.
82. Shutter.
83. Shutter spring.
84. Shutter catch.
85. Notch for shutter catch.
86. Screwed plug for emptying.
87. Slides, right and left.
88. Gib spring cover.
89. Check lever collar.
90. Cover lock spring.
91. Safety catch spring.
92. Tangent sight spring.
93. Bottom lever feed block.
94. Trunnions of barrel.
95. Extractor stop.
96. Firing lever spring.
97. Shutter pivot screw.
[Illustration:
Plate I.
GUN MAXIM, ·303 INCH.
SIDE ELEVATION.
]
[Illustration:
Plate II.
GUN MAXIM ·303 INCH.
PLAN WITH COVER REMOVED.
]
MOUNTING, TRIPOD, ·303-in. MAXIM GUN, MARK IV.
The mounting consists of a crosshead (_a_), elevating gear (_b_), and
socket (_c_), mounted on three legs.
It is constructed to give 13 degrees elevation and 25 degrees depression
at heights varying from 14½-in. to 30-in. from the axis of the gun to
the ground. By arranging the position of the rear and front legs
respectively, elevation may be given up to about 43 degrees and
depression to 55 degrees. An all-round traverse can be obtained.
The crosshead (_a_), to which the gun is pivoted, is formed with a pivot
to fit into the socket (_c_) and an arm (_d_) which carries the
elevating gear (_b_).
The elevating gear, which is actuated by a hand wheel (_v_), consists of
an inner and outer screw (right and left-handed) and a nut working
within a tumbler (_g_). The tumbler is split and provided with a jamming
bolt (_h_), by which the wear may be taken up. The inner part of the
screw is attached to the crosshead by a chain. Chains also, for future
manufacture and replacement, will secure the joint pins to the mounting.
The socket (_c_) is bored to receive the crosshead and is provided with
three lugs (_n_), to which the legs are hinged; a jamming block and
screw with handle (_f_) is attached to the front to secure the crosshead
in any desired angle of traverse; the block works in a recess in the
upper portion of the crosshead and prevents it from rising. Both faces
of the rear lug and one face of each front lug are fitted with clutch
plates having radial serrations to correspond with similar serrations on
the faces of the leg joints. Joint studs with disc spring and jamming
handle (_s_) are
[Illustration:
Plate III.
MOUNTING TRIPOD ·303 INCH, MAXIM GUN MARK.
SCALE = ⅛
SIDE ELEVATION.
]
_A_ _Crosshead_
_B_ _Elevating gear_
_C_ _Socket_
_D_ _Arm, crosshead_
_F_ _Screw, clamp checking traverse_
_G_ _Tumbler, elevating gear_
_H_ _Bolt, jamming elevating gear_
_J_ _Front legs_
_K_ _Rear leg_
_M_ _Shoes_
_N_ _Socket lugs_
_S_ _Stud, joints, a jamming handle, front legs_
_T_ _Joint pin, a jamming handle rear leg_
_V_ _Handwheel elevating gear_
fixed to the front lugs, by which the legs are securely clamped to the
socket in the required position.
The legs (_j_, _k_) are of tubular steel, the lower ends being fitted
with shoes (_m_) to steady the mounting on the ground, and the upper
ends having a joint with radial serrations mentioned above. The rear leg
is provided with a joint pin with nut and jamming handle (_t_).
On a portion of the periphery of the leg joints, numbers are stamped at
regular intervals so that when read in conjunction with a zero mark the
relative position of the legs to their normal position may be readily
seen.
A strap is fixed to the rear leg to secure the three legs during
transport.
When firing, the ammunition box is placed on the ground on the right
side of the gun.
Weight of mounting 48 lbs. variable.
TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.
To Mount Gun.
Machine gunner No. 1 will carry tripod into position, elevating screws
being equally exposed. Cross head upright. Legs clamped tight.
No. 2 will carry gun to right side of tripod, holding rear cross piece
with left hand, gun muzzle to rear under right arm. Kneel on left knee,
facing tripod, and supporting weight of gun on right knee, place it on
tripod, pushing in and turning down the crosshead joint pin. Remove cork
plug finally from steam escape hole, No. 1 fixing elevating joint pin.
To Dismount Gun.
No. 1 removes crosshead and elevating joint pins, No. 2 replaces cork
plug and removes gun as in mounting, carrying it to its original
position in rear, No. 1 following with the tripod. Joint pins will then
be pushed home and turned down, legs folded and clamped.
TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.
To Load.
Pass the tag of belt through feed block from right side, turning crank
handle with right hand on to buffer spring, and pull belt through with
left hand to left front as far as it will go, let go crank handle, the
first cartridge will then be gripped by the extractor.
Again turn crank handle on to buffer spring, and pull belt to left
front, letting go crank handle—the gun is then ready for firing.
Make each motion clear and distinct.
On pressing double button the gun will fire automatically until pressure
is released.
To Unload.
Turn crank handle twice in succession on to buffer spring, letting it
fly back to the check lever each time. Press up the bottom pawls and
remove belt from feed block, then release the lock spring by pressing
double button.
TO CLEAN GUN.
Mechanism.
Equal parts of G.S. lubricating oil and paraffin should be used, each
part being thoroughly dried and slightly oiled with G.S. lubricating
oil.
The various parts can easily be got at by “hanging” the lock as
follows:—
Turn the crank handle on to buffer spring, raise lock slightly till
clear of guides, allow handle to come back a little, and lock to rest on
top of guides, when it will be fixed and easily accessible.
Barrel.
Turn crank handle over against buffer spring, open cover, raise lock,
and as the crank handle is allowed to come slowly back raise it and let
it rest upon the top of the rear crosspiece.
The cleaning rod may then be used from muzzle of barrel.
Daily cleaning is absolutely necessary for at least ten days after using
ball ammunition and the bore should at all times be left coated with
oil.
(A double-ended pull through may be used to remove hard fouling.)
Treatment in Frosty Weather.
In frosty weather, when water is kept in the barrel casing, a blanket or
some other thick covering should be kept wrapped round the barrel casing
to prevent the water freezing. The working parts of the gun should only
be slightly oiled with a lightly-oiled rag. In climates where the
temperature is likely to fall much below freezing point, not more than
about 5 pints of water should be put into the barrel casing (25 per
cent. of glycerine mixed with the water will prevent it from freezing so
quickly).
MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.
The force of recoil is increased by the use of the muzzle attachment.
Defects in the working of the gun are overcome by this means.
It consists of a steel cylinder with a hole bored longitudinally through
it, the front end of cylinder being partially closed by a screw. Gases
escaping from the muzzle of barrel are partially confined to the
interior of attachment, the pressure of the gas acting on the muzzle of
barrel giving additional recoil.
It is fitted by unscrewing the packing gland from the barrel casing, and
screwing the attachment into the packing gland by means of the steam
tube and packing gland key.
The attachment should be removed from the gun and cleaned immediately
after firing, all metallic fouling being carefully scraped away.
THE FUSEE SPRING.
On the left of the breech casing, the rear end being connected by the
fusee chain and fusee with the crank, the front end is attached to
breech casing by means of fusee spring box and adjusting screw which
passes through front end of fusee spring box and through the nut at
front end of spring.
To Weigh and Adjust.
Cock the lock, place loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle
and pull vertically upwards, resting wrist on breech casing, the reading
indicated when crank handle commences to move will be the weight of the
fusee spring. This should be between 5 and 7 lbs. (for converted Mark I
Guns between 10 and 12 lbs.).
If spring is over, or not up to weight, remove fusee spring box and
adjust by means of adjusting screw, six turns making a difference of
about 1 lb. (Turning screw clockwise increases weight and vice versa.)
The tension should always be kept as high as possible, consistent with
maintaining the normal rate of fire (500 rounds per minute).
STRIPPING THE GUN.
The gun is stripped in the following order:—
NOTE.—All pins are driven in from right to left, and out in the reverse
direction.
(i) =Lock and Feed Block.=
Raise the cover, turn the crank handle on to the buffer spring, see that
the extractor drops, place finger between the extractor and stop, raise
the lock and allow the crank handle to come slowly back on to the check
lever; slide the live cartridges out of the extractor, keeping the
latter down. Give the lock ⅛ turn to the left and lift off. Lift the
feed block out.
(ii) =Fusee Spring Box.=
With the right hand at the rear and the left hand at the front, press
the box forward until clear of the lugs, and remove. Disconnect the
fusee chain and remove the box and the spring. Care should be taken to
throw no cross strain on the chain.
(iii) =Tangent Sight and Cover Lock.=
Lower the cover, putting a screwdriver across the breech casing under
the gunmetal block, drive out the axis pin of the stem and remove with
its piston and spring. Close the cover, press in the cover lock, and,
with the large screwdriver, remove the stop screw; the lock with its
piston and spring can then be removed.
(iv) =Cover.=
Drive out the fixing pin of the cover joint pin, remove the collar and
joint pin and take off the cover.
(v) =Rear Crosspiece.=
Drive out the tapered fixing pin, grasp with the left hand the left
handle of the rear crosspiece, slightly raise the casing and, with the
mallet, strike the top edges of the casing alternately until the rear
crosspiece is clear of the dovetails on the casing. Lift out the trigger
bar.
(vi) =Slides, Right and Left, and Check Lever.=
Pull out the slides. Drive out the fixing pin from the check lever
collar, remove the collar and check lever.
(vii) =Recoiling Portion.=
Fold back the connecting rod on to the crank, turn the crank handle to a
vertical position, and draw out to the rear the recoiling portion.
Disconnect the side plates by dropping them and springing them outwards.
If necessary, by taking out the fixing pin, the crank handle can be
driven off with a drift and hammer, and the fusee unscrewed from the
left bearing of the crank; but as a rule these parts should not be
stripped.
(viii) =Foresight.=
The position of the foresight should first be carefully marked. Remove
the fixing screw and foresight.
(ix) =Steam Tube and Packing Gland.=
Up-end the barrel casing so that it stands on the rear end of the breech
casing. Remove the keeper screw and unscrew the steam tube. Unscrew and
remove the packing gland and packing.
(x) =Breech and Barrel Casings, and Ejector Tube Spring.=
Rest the barrel casing on a table or bench, with the filling hole
uppermost, and the breech casing clear of the bench; place the left hand
under the breech casing and strike the top edges alternately with a
mallet, when the casings will come apart. Lift the ejector tube spring
with the point of the screwdriver and tap out the spring with the drift
and hammer. (In converted guns remove fixing wire and unscrew fixing
screws.)
NOTE.—The breech and barrel casings should only be separated when
repairs are necessary. Care must be taken not to strike the barrel
casing, and the blows should be struck as close to the dovetailing as
possible.
(xi) =Lock.=
(_a_) Release the lock spring, lay the lock on a bench, left side
uppermost. Drive out the sear, tumbler, and lock spring axis pins. (_b_)
Remove the keeper bracket, extractor levers, lock spring, tumbler,
firing pin, and sear. (_c_) Drive out the trigger axis pin, extractor
stop keeper pin, remove the trigger, extractor stop, and slide the
extractor from the face of the lock casing. (_d_) Push out the gib
spring cover, take out the gib spring and gib. (_e_) Drive out the
extractor spring fixing pin, and remove the extractor spring. (In
converted guns the extractor spring is riveted to the extractor.)
NOTE.—(_e_) should only be done in case of breakage.
(xii) =Feed Block.=
(_a_) Drive out the spring fixing pin of the top and bottom levers,
drive out the bottom lever and remove the top lever and slide. (_b_)
Drive out the axis pin of the bottom pawls and remove pawls with feed
block spring. (In converted guns unscrew fixing screws and remove feed
block springs.) (_c_) Drive out the fixing pin of the band roller axis
pin, remove the collar, axis pin, and band roller. (_d_) Remove the top
pawls from the slide by pressing them outwards. The springs for the
pawls, if weak or broken, are only to be removed by an armourer or
qualified artificer.
(xiii) =Tangent Sight.=
(_a_) Remove the top fixing screw of the graduated plate. (_b_) Run the
slide off the stem. (_c_) Remove the fixing screw of the milled head,
and lift the latter off the slide. (_d_) Remove the fixing pin, pawl and
pinion from the slide. (_e_) Place the milled head, face upwards, on a
bench; then with a drift, applied to the rectangular nib on the spring
slide, knock the latter down flush with the face, when it can be lifted
out with the pliers.
(xiv) =Rear Crosspiece.=
(_a_) Drive out the axis pin of the firing lever, and remove the latter
with its spiral spring. (_b_) Drive out the axis pin of the safety
catch, and lift out the latter, also the piston and spring from their
seating. (_c_) Remove the pivot screw and shutter. (_d_) Unscrew, from
the handles, the milled heads with their leather washers and oil
brushes.
EXAMINATION AND TESTING.
Before assembling the gun all parts should be tried in their places
separately to see that they work freely, and test friction of recoiling
portions as follows:—
Cock lock, remove fusee spring box and spring, turn crank handle
upwards, hold it with right hand and fusee with left, move recoiling
portion, with gun horizontal, backwards and forwards, to see that it
works freely and that barrel goes home. Weight necessary to move
recoiling portion should not exceed 4 lbs. (converted guns 7 lbs.)
tested by placing loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle, and
pulling to rear when handle is slightly above the horizontal.
ASSEMBLING THE GUN.
Reverse all the foregoing operations with the exception that the
recoiling portions must be replaced before the packing and packing
gland. In order to assemble the barrel and breech casings, they will
have to be turned upside-down—_i.e._, the filling hole down, and the
bottom plate of breech casing uppermost—they should be positioned by the
crosshead joint pin. Care must be taken that the ejector tube spring is
in position before joining the casings together. When assembling the
feed block the longer of the two bottom pawls must always be placed at
the front. When assembling the tangent sight, it will be found
convenient to place the slide on the stem before attaching the milled
head; in this position the pinion is prevented from turning with the
pawl when engaging the arms of the slide spring outside the lugs in the
pawl.
REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS OF THE LOCK.
Should any of the components belonging to the lock become defective they
can be replaced from the spare parts, without stripping the lock right
down. Proceed as follows:—
(i) =Sear.=
Fully cock, lift the sear, and let the firing pin engage with the
tumbler and trigger; with the lock on the bench, left side up, drive out
the sear axis pin, and remove the sear with its spring.
(ii) =Tumbler.=
Fully cock, thus engaging the firing pin with the sear; drive out the
axis pin of tumbler, pull the trigger slightly, and lift out the
tumbler.
NOTE.—Care should be taken not to allow the screwed head to lift the
sear when once the tumbler has been removed.
(iii) =Trigger, Lock Spring or Extractor Levers.=
Release the lock spring, drive out the lock spring axis pin, remove the
keeper bracket, extractor levers and lock spring; if the trigger is
defective, drive out the trigger axis pin and remove the trigger.
(iv) =Firing Pin.=
Proceed as for (iii), but do not remove the trigger. Remove the tumbler
axis pin and tumbler, raise the sear, push the screwed head out of its
way, and the firing pin will drop out.
(v) =Gib, Gib Spring, or Extractor Spring.=
This will necessitate the removal of the extractor from the face of the
lock casing. Release the lock spring, drive out the lock spring axis
pin, remove the keeper bracket and extractor levers; next drive out the
keeper pin of the extractor stop, remove the latter, and slide the
extractor off the lock casing: push out the gib spring cover, and remove
the spring or gib as the case may be. If the extractor spring requires
replacing, drive out its fixing pin and remove.
NOTE.—The serviceable components are replaced in the reverse order.
STOPPAGES.
1. Temporary.
Due to (_a_) Failure of some part of the gun of which a duplicate is
carried, or faulty ammunition; (_b_) neglect on the part of member or
members of the detachment. A high standard of training will avoid this.
2. Prolonged.
Due to failure of some part of the gun which cannot, as a rule, be put
right under fire, or without skilled assistance.
In addition to the instructions in the “stoppage” table, the following
points should be observed:—
1. If, when the cover is opened to investigate cause of stoppage, it is
seen that extractor is not quite up, no attempt should be made to raise
it. It should be first pushed down before the crank handle is turned
over to the front, as by this means all risk of firing a cartridge
accidentally is avoided.
2. When a temporary stoppage necessitates the employment of the spare
lock, feed block, etc., the part which has been removed should be
repaired as soon as possible, making it again available as a reserve.
3. Should it ever be necessary to release the lock spring, with the lock
out of gear, this should be done with the extractor fully up, and firing
pin hole opposite firing pin.
4. As the clearing of a stoppage often knocks the sights off the aiming
mark, care should be taken that the gun is immediately relaid.
TABLE OF STOPPAGES.
─────────────────┬─────────────────┬─────────────────┬─────────────────
I. │ II. │ III. │ IV.
─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────
Position of crank│Immediate action.│ Probable cause. │ Prevention of
handle and its │ │ │ recurrence.
indication. │ │ │
─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────
│ │ │
=FIRST= │(i) Turn the │The extractor has│
│crank handle on │not dropped. This│
│to the buffer │may be due to:— │
│spring, pull the │ │
│belt to the left │ │
│front, and let go│ │
│the crank handle.│ │
_Indication._ │ „ │(_a_) Too heavy │
The lock is │ │fusee spring. │
unable to come │ │ │
back far enough │ │ │
to allow the │ │ │
extractor to │ │ │
drop. │ │ │
„ │(ii) If failure │(_b_) Excessive │(_b_) Clean and
│recurs, lighten │friction, due to │oil working
│fusee spring by │want of oil; grit│parts. Examine
│three “turns.” │or tight pockets │the belt, which
│ │in the belt, or │should be dried
│ │excessive packing│if damp; or if
│ │in cannelure or │the stoppage is
│ │packing gland. │due to a new or
│ │ │stiff belt, the
│ │ │pockets should be
│ │ │plugged. If due
│ │ │to excessive
│ │ │packing, examine
│ │ │and repack
│ │ │cannelure or
│ │ │packing gland.
│ │(_c_) Partial │ „
│ │loss of the force│
│ │of the explosion │
│ │due to— │
│ │(i) Worn barrel. │ „
│ │(ii) Defective │(_c_) (i) The
│ │ammunition. │barrel should be
│ │ │examined at the
│ │ │first
│ │ │opportunity, and
│ │ │if much worn in
│ │ │the lead should
│ │ │be changed.
─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────
│ │ │
=SECOND.= │(i) Force the │(i) (_a_) Damaged│
│crank handle on │cartridge. The │
│to the buffer │cartridge is │
│spring. Open the │unable to enter │
│cover and examine│the chamber │
│the cartridge on │completely, │
│the face of the │although it has │
│extractor. If a │commenced to do │
│damaged │so. │
│cartridge, or an │ │
│undamaged │ │
│cartridge with │ │
│the front portion│ │
│of a separated │ │
│case adhering to │ │
│it, clear the │ │
│face of the │ │
│extractor and │ │
│re-load. │ │
_Indication._ │ „ │(_b_) Separated │
The lock is │ │case with front │
unable to go │ │portion adhering │
fully home after │ │to undamaged │
recoil. │ │cartridge. │
│(ii) If an │(ii) Separated │(_b_) If a
│undamaged │case. The front │succession of
│cartridge with no│portion of the │separated cases
│front portion of │case causes an │occur the
│separated case │obstruction and │connecting rod
│adhering to it is│prevents the next│must be
│found on the face│cartridge from │lengthened.
│of the extractor,│going into the │(_See_ para. 82.)
│clear the face of│chamber. │
│the extractor and│ │
│replace the lock,│ │
│keeping the crank│ │
│handle on the │ │
│buffer spring. │ │
│Take the clearing│ │
│plug (seeing that│ │
│the centre pin is│ │
│back) and insert │ │
│it into the │ │
│chamber. Push the│ │
│pin well home by │ │
│allowing the lock│ │
│to go forward. │ │
│Then keeping a │ │
│firm pressure on │ │
│the crank handle,│ │
│give the clearing│ │
│plug a rocking │ │
│motion; withdraw │ │
│the lock; lever │ │
│back the handle │ │
│of the clearing │ │
│plug, withdraw it│ │
│(seeing that the │ │
│front portion of │ │
│the separated │ │
│case is on the │ │
│clearing plug) │ │
│and re-load. │ │
─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────
│ │ │
=THIRD.= │ │ │
_Indication._ │(i) Strike the │(i) (_a_) Too │(i) (_b_) Clean
The extractor is │crank handle on │light fusee │and oil working
unable to rise to│to check lever by│spring. │parts.
its highest │a glancing blow │ │
position. │with the palm of │ │
If the feed block│the hand. If │ │
slide is jammed, │failure recurs, │ │
there is a fault │strengthen the │ │
in feed. │fusee spring by │ │
│three turns. │ │
„ │ „ │(_b_) Excessive │
│ │friction. │
│NOTE.—If the continued strengthening of the fusee
│spring results in the crank handle stopping in the
│first position, change the lock, putting the fusee
│spring back to normal; if failure recurs take muzzle
│attachment into use. (_See_ para. 44.)
│(ii) If (i) │(ii) A cartridge │(ii) Carefully
│fails, slightly │is fed up │examine the belt.
│raise the crank │slightly │
│handle, pull the │crossways, or a │
│belt to the left │long brass strip │
│front, let go the│is bent. │
│crank handle, and│ │
│then strike it │ │
│down on the check│ │
│lever. │ │
│(iii) A. If (i) │(iii) A. (1) │(iii) A. (1)
│and (ii) fail, │Badly filled │Carefully examine
│examine feed │belt, or a belt │the new belt.
│block slide. If │with worn or │
│jammed, No. 1 │loose pockets. │
│holds up the │The cartridges │
│crank handle and │projecting │
│opens the cover. │unevenly from the│
│No. 2, with the │belt prevent it │
│assistance of No.│entering or │
│1, removes the │passing freely │
│feed block, and │through the feed │
│replaces it by │block. │
│the spare one. │ │
│Meanwhile No. 1 │ │
│forces down the │ │
│horns of the │ │
│extractor, and │ │
│places the crank │ │
│handle on the │ │
│buffer spring. As│ │
│soon as the spare│ │
│feed block is in │ │
│position, No. 1 │ │
│closes the cover │ │
│and pulls the top│ │
│cartridge of a │ │
│fresh belt into │ │
│position and lets│ │
│go the crank │ │
│handle. │ │
│ „ │(iii) A. (2) Belt│(iii) A. (2) See
│ │box not being in │that the new belt
│ │line with the │box is in line.
│ │feed block; the │
│ │belt does not │
│ │lead up correctly│
│ │to the feed block│
│ │and becomes │
│ │jammed. │
│ „ │NOTE.—The effect of a fault in feed
│ │is that the top pawls, being
│ │engaged behind a cartridge in the
│ │belt, are held fast when some
│ │obstruction, such as above,
│ │prevents the belt from passing
│ │freely through the feed block. The
│ │recoiling portions, being connected
│ │by the top and bottom levers to the
│ │slide, are arrested and prevented
│ │from going home. The distance they
│ │are held back depends upon the
│ │point at which the obstruction
│ │asserts itself.
│(iii) B. If free,│(iii) B. (1) │
│No. 1 opens the │Damaged cartridge│
│cover. No. 2 │grooves. │
│forces down the │ │
│horns of the │ │
│extractor. No. 1 │ │
│clears the face │ │
│of the extractor,│ │
│and changes the │ │
│lock. He removes │ │
│the cartridge in │ │
│positioning the │ │
│feed block and │ │
│re-loads. │ │
│ „ │(2) Broken gib │
│ │spring. │
│ „ │(3) Broken gib. │
│ │In these cases │
│ │the extractor is │
│ │prevented from │
│ │rising to its │
│ │highest position.│
│ │It may be │
│ │necessary │
│ │sometimes to │
│ │slide the │
│ │cartridge or the │
│ │empty case │
│ │upwards, when │
│ │clearing the face│
│ │of the extractor.│
│ „ │(4) Thick-rimmed │
│ │cartridge. │
│ │NOTE.—If it is apparent that the
│ │stoppage is due to a thick-rimmed
│ │cartridge, it will not be necessary
│ │to change the lock.
─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┬─────────────────
│ │ │
=FOURTH.= │(_a_) Turn the │(_a_) (1) No │
│crank handle on │cartridge in the │
│to the buffer │chamber. │
│spring, pull the │ │
│belt to the left │ │
│front, and let go│ │
│the crank handle.│ │
_Indication._ │ „ │(2) Defective │
That there has │ │ammunition. │
been no │ │ │
explosion, or, if│ │ │
any, that there │ │ │
has been little │ │ │
or no recoil, the│ │ │
lock remaining in│ │ │
its forward │ │ │
position. │ │ │
„ │(_b_) If (_a_) │(_b_) (1) Broken │
│fails, place the │or damaged firing│
│crank handle on │pin. │
│to the buffer │ │
│spring twice, │ │
│change the lock, │ │
│and re-load. │ │
„ │ „ │(2) Broken lock │
│ │spring. │
│ │ │
─────────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────────────
NOTE.—If the continued lightening of the fusee spring results in the
crank handle stopping in the third position, take muzzle attachment into
use, and put fusee spring back to normal weight (see para. 44).
NOTE.—Worn or damaged side or extractor levers may result in the
extractor being unable to rise, or if the side levers are bent, there
may either be a succession of separated cases, or the lock may become
jammed.
The causes of prolonged stoppages are so varied that they cannot be set
out in detail. The following are amongst the most probable, and the
detachment should be thoroughly trained to recognize them and to apply
such remedy as lies in their power pending a permanent repair:—
(i) =Broken Cover Springs.=
The extractor may not drop when the lock is drawn back, and the gun will
stop with the crank handle in the first position. This may possibly be
overcome by liberal oiling of the lock, but in any case single shots can
be fired by holding the crank handle forward until the extractor drops
by its own weight.
(ii) =Broken Ejector Tube Spring=,
Causing either a block in the ejector tube or an accumulation of empty
cases in the breech casing. It may be found possible to keep the gun in
action if care is taken to prevent the latter.
(iii) =Cotter working out=,
Thus causing the screwed head and connecting rod to become separated. To
remedy proceed as follows:—
(_a_) Take out the cotter. (This will be found either on the crank or
at the bottom of the breech casing.)
(_b_) Press down the screwed head with a large screwdriver to lock
the cock.
(_c_) Turn the screwdriver edgeways and insert it behind the horns of
the extractor and between the face of the barrel and front of
the lock flange, and force the lock to the rear.
(_d_) Turn crank handle on to the buffer spring, press down the
extractor, raise the lock and remove the live cartridge, then
lift out the lock.
(iv) =Damaged Parts of the Lock, no Spare Part being available.=
The gun will fire without the sear, or if the bents of the sear or
firing pin are badly worn or broken off, but only single shots, and only
by pressing and releasing the double button quickly.
The gun will also fire if the nose of the trigger or bent of the tumbler
is badly worn or broken off, but only rapid firing. In this case the gun
will fire the instant the crank handle reaches the check level, although
the double button has not been pressed.
The gun can be worked as follows:—
(_a_) Group the cartridges in the belt, say 20 or 30 rounds each
group.
(_b_) Lay the gun before commencing to load, place crank handle on
buffer spring, pull belt to left and let handle go; repeat,
but before allowing the handle to reach check lever and the
gun to fire, grip the rear crosspiece with left hand to
control gun in the ordinary way.
If necessary firing can be stopped by throwing the filled end of the
belt over the breech casing to the left.
When the firing has been stopped as described above, hold the crank
handle with the right hand, open the cover, press down the horns of the
extractor, draw the lock back, and, if there is a live cartridge on the
face of the extractor, remove the feed block and belt, close the cover,
and allow the lock to fly forward, when the live cartridge, which is on
the face of the extractor, will be fired automatically. The lock can
then be changed with safety. On no account should the lock be allowed to
fly forward until the feed block has been removed and the cover shut.
If, on drawing the lock back, it is found that there is no live
cartridge on its face, the lock may be changed at once, and the
necessity for removing the feed block and the subsequent precautions
will not arise.
(v) =Gunmetal Valve Working Loose.=
This will prevent the barrel from going home. It may be temporarily
remedied by tapping it round with a hammer and punch, but it should be
tightened at the earliest opportunity with the gib key, the barrel being
removed from the gun.
·303–inch Vickers Gun.
Explanation of Plates IV and V.
Similar numbers indicate corresponding parts in all the plates.
1. Casing, barrel.
2. Tube, steam.
3. Bracket, foresight.
4. Gland.
5. Casing, breech.
6. Cover, front.
7. Cover, rear.
8. Sight, tangent.
9. Bar, trigger.
10. Lock, rear cover.
11. Rear-crosspiece.
12. Lever, firing.
13. Lever, trigger bar.
14. Catch, safety.
15. }
} Plugs, screwed.
16. }
17. Protector, screwed, condenser boss.
18. Plug, cork.
19. Guide, front barrel bearing.
20. Crosshead.
21. Cams, right and left.
22. Steps of cams, right and left.
23. Catch, front cover.
24. Pin, screwed, joint cover.
25. Pin-T, fixing, rear-crosspiece.
26. Pin, screwed, fixing, crank handle.
27. Slides, right and left.
28. Roller.
29. Pin, screwed, joint, rear-crosspiece.
30. Bracket, check lever.
31. Lever, check.
32. Bracket, elevating joint.
33. Stop, mounting.
34. Plate, bottom, breech casing.
35. Shutter, sliding.
36. Hooks of front cover catch.
37. Hole for keeper pin, front cover catch.
38. Lever of catch, front cover.
39. Grooves in front cover catch to clear “36.”
40. Plunger, front cover catch.
41. Bridge, rear cover.
42. { Spring tangent sight.
{
{ Piston „ „
43. Grooves in rear cover for ribs on “5.”
44. Ramps, rear cover.
45. Spring, rear cover lock.
46. Spring, trigger bar.
47. Lug on trigger bar for “46.”
48. Base of tangent sight stem.
49. Hooks of rear cover lock.
50. Lug on rear cover lock for “45.”
51. Slot in trigger bar for “86.”
52. Lug on trigger bar for “13.”
53. }
} Thumbpiece, sliding shutter catch.
54. }
55. Plunger, sliding shutter catch.
56. Arms of rear-crosspiece.
57. Grips, rear-crosspiece.
58. Pawl, firing lever.
59. Spring, safety catch, with piston.
60. Pin, screwed axis, safety catch.
60A. Finger grips, safety catch.
61. Pin, screwed, axis, firing lever.
62. }
} Thumbpiece, firing lever.
63. }
64. Pin, keeper, check lever.
65. { Piston, check lever.
{
{ Spring, „ „
66. Recess in check lever for “65.”
67. Barrel.
68. Casing, lock.
69. Plate, side, right.
70. Crank.
71. Handle, crank.
71A. Tail of crank handle.
71B. Knob of crank handle.
72. Rod, connecting.
72A. Stem of connecting rod.
73. Fusee.
73A. Chain, fusee.
74. Spring, fusee.
74A. Hook, fusee spring.
75. Box, fusee spring.
75A. Screw, adjusting, fusee spring.
76. Block, feed.
77. Cannelure in “67” for asbestos packing.
78. Trunnion block, barrel.
79. Lock.
80. Levers, side (pair).
81. Socket of side levers for “72A.”
82. Extractor.
83. Gib.
84. Spring, gib.
85. Cover, gib spring.
86. Trigger.
87. Lever, extractor, right.
88. Tumbler.
89. Spring, lock.
90. Pin, firing.
91. Sear.
92. Spring, sear.
93. Flanges of lock casing.
94. Interruptions in flanges of lock casing.
95. Slots in lock casing for “99.”
96. Bearings on lock casing for “80.”
97. Upper extractor stop of lock casing.
98. Bent of extractor lever for “80.”
99. Lugs on side levers for “95.”
100. Bush, axis, side levers.
101. Pin, split, keeper, bush, axis, side levers.
102. Horns of extractor.
102A. Grooves in extractor for “79.”
103. Shoulders of extractor for “87.”
104. Grooves in extractor for side plate springs.
105. Hole in extractor for “90.”
106. Recess in extractor for “83.”
107. Pin, axis, trigger.
108. Pin, axis, tumbler.
109. Key of pin, axis, tumbler.
110. Projection on firing pin for “89.”
111. Lever, top, feed block.
112. Lever, bottom, feed block.
113. Pins, split, fixing, top and bottom levers, feed block.
114. Stud of top lever for feed block slide.
114A. Slide, feed block.
115. Pawl, top, feed block, rear.
115A. Thumb grips of “115” and “116.”
116. Pawl, top, feed block, front.
117. Spring, top pawls, feed block.
118. Pawls, bottom, feed block (pair).
119. Pin, axis, bottom pawl, feed block.
120. Finger plate of bottom pawls, feed block.
121. Spring, bottom pawls, feed block.
122. Cup, muzzle attachment.
123. Casing, outer, muzzle attachment.
124. Cone, front, muzzle attachment.
125. Gland, muzzle attachment.
126. Screw, clamping, cup, muzzle attachment.
127. Disc, muzzle attachment.
128. Vent, bullet, muzzle attachment.
[Illustration:
Plate IV.
VICKERS GUN.
]
[Illustration:
Plate V.
VICKERS GUN.
]
VICKERS LIGHT MACHINE GUN.
The principal features are as in Maxim with the following exceptions:—
Total weight, ready for firing, is 38½ lbs. (Maxim, 67 lbs.).
Length, width and depth slightly less than Maxim.
Barrel casing is of corrugated steel (affording greater cooling
surface).
Rear end of barrel—_i.e._, chamber—goes back into barrel casing, thus
greatly assisting cooling of barrel where it is most essential.
Foresight is blade pattern, with protector.
No ejector tube or spring, there being an opening at bottom of breech
casing through which empty cases fall. (Shutter requires to be opened
before commencing firing.)
Tangent sight is 2½ in. nearer rear end of breech casing and is U
pattern.
There is no buffer spring or resistance piece.
An elevating stop on outside of left-hand plate, this preventing the
bracket head of the mounting damaging the fusee spring box.
No stud for the shoulder piece.
Connecting rod has an adjusting nut and washers.
Crank handle revolves in the opposite direction to Maxim.
Lock is inverted and joined to connecting rod by an interrupted flange.
Lock has no extractor spring, as cases fall off extractor when clear of
barrel.
Lock can be easily stripped with the hand screw which forms the axis pin
of the trigger bar lever.
Top pawls are made with finger pieces, and can be pressed down by hand
to allow belt to be released, having only one spring, which is
removable.
Fusee spring can be adjusted without removing box, as the vice pin of
screw is loose.
Fusee has a clutch fixture, and is easily removable.
No tools required to strip lock or change barrel.
Gun cannot be fired unless cover is down.
Greater general strength, especially in recoiling portions.
Sighted to 2,900 yards.
TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.
As for Maxim (page 16).
TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.
To Load Gun.
Pass tag end of belt through feed block from right side. Pull crank
handle on to roller with right hand. Pull belt straight through as far
as it will go with left hand. Let go crank handle; the first cartridge
will then be gripped by extractor. Repeat as above; the first cartridge
will then be in chamber and another gripped by upper part of extractor.
Gun is then ready for firing.
To Unload Gun.
Pull crank handle on to roller twice in succession (without pulling
belt), letting it fly forward to check lever each time. Press up bottom
pawls and remove belt from feed block, then release lock spring.
TO CLEAN.
As for Maxim (page 17).
MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.
A steel muzzle attachment for ball firing is provided to assist recoil.
When attachment is fitted on gun, the gland replaces the packing gland.
The muzzle cup is fixed to barrel by a clamping screw, body of which
lies in a circular groove on barrel, thus preventing muzzle cup from
being blown off should clamping screw become loose. Outer casing is
attached to gland by an interrupted flange and spring-keeper pin. Front
cone screws into front end of outer casing, and, to protect its face
from erosion, is covered by a thin steel disc, which, when badly eroded,
can be replaced by a spare one. Gland and front cone have flanges which
are grooved to receive the combination tool provided for assembling and
stripping purposes.
FUSEE SPRING.
On the left of breech casing there is a strong spiral spring called the
fusee spring, the rear end of which is connected by the fusee chain and
fusee with the crank; the fore-end is attached to the breech casing by
means of the fusee spring box and adjusting screw, which passes through
the front end of fusee spring box, and through the nut at the front end
of spring.
The fusee spring can be adjusted without removing the box, as the vice
pin of the screw is loose. This screw is kept in position by two nibs
which fall into recesses, by the tension of the fusee spring. The fusee
is attached to the crank by means of a stem and lugs, and is easily
removed.
To Weigh and Adjust Fusee Spring.
Take out lock; place loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle,
and, standing on left side of gun, press down check lever with left
hand. Pull spring balance vertically up, resting right wrist on breech
casing. The reading indicated when crank handle commences to move will
be the weight of fusee spring. This weight should be between 7 and 9
lbs. If spring is over, or not up to weight, adjust by means of vice
pin. Generally six clicks (three revolutions) make a difference of about
1 lb. Adjust by ½–lbs. as a rule.
Turning vice pin clockwise increases weight and vice versa.
Tension of spring should always be kept as high as possible, consistent
with maintaining normal rate of 500 rounds per minute.
TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE GUN.
The gun is stripped in the following order:—
Lock.
Clear extractor by revolving crank handle twice; pull crank handle on to
roller; raise rear cover, place finger between extractor and stop, lift
lock, at same time allowing crank handle to move slowly forward until
lock is released from side plates. Give lock one-sixth of a turn in
either direction and lift out.
Feed Block.
Release front cover catch, raise front cover, and lift out.
Fusee Spring Box.
With right hand at rear and left hand at front, press box forward until
clear of lugs and remove. Disconnect fusee chain and remove box and
spring. Care should be taken to throw no cross strain on chain.
Fusee.
Turn fusee to rear until lugs on stem are free to be withdrawn.
Ball Firing Attachment.
Withdraw split pin. Give outer casing one-sixth turn and remove it.
Unscrew front cone. Loosen clamping screw of muzzle cup and revolve cup
till clamping screw coincides with flat on barrel. Remove muzzle cup.
Unscrew and remove gland.
Slides, Right and Left.
Raise rear cover, unscrew rear crosspiece screwed fixing T-pin, and
hinge down rear crosspiece. Pull out sides.
Recoiling Portion.
Draw recoiling portion out to rear. Disconnect side plates from barrel,
removing left one first (for convenience only). If necessary, by taking
out fixing pin, crank handle can be driven off with a drift and hammer,
but as a rule this should not be stripped.
Roller.
Remove split fixing pin, collar, and roller.
To Strip Lock.
(_a_) See that lock is cocked; force out side lever split pin and axis
bush. Remove side levers and extractor levers and slide extractor from
front of lock casing. (_b_) Release lock spring and push out the trigger
and tumbler axis pins. (_c_) Remove trigger, tumbler, lock spring,
firing pin and sear with spring. To strip extractor, push out gib spring
cover and remove spring and gib.
Tangent Sight and Spring.
(_a_) Remove top fixing screw of graduated plate. (_b_) Run the slide
off stem. (_c_) Remove fixing screw of milled head and lift latter off
slide. (_d_) Remove fixing pin, pawl, and pinion from slide. (_e_) Place
the milled head, face upwards, on a bench; then, with small screwdriver
applied to rectangular nib on slide spring, knock latter down flush with
face, when it can be lifted out with pliers.
EXAMINATION AND TESTING.
Before assembling the gun all parts should be tried in their places
separately to see that they work freely.
Test friction of recoiling portions (as Maxim, page 22).
Assembling.
Reverse all foregoing operations with exception that recoiling portions
must be replaced before packing and packing gland. When assembling lock,
care must be taken that lock spring is replaced with lock in fired
position, and when all the other parts are assembled. When assembling
rear crosspiece see that pawl of firing lever engages with trigger bar
lever. When assembling tangent sight, it will be found convenient to
place slide on stem (axis end) before attaching the milled head; in this
position pinion is prevented from turning with pawl when engaging arms
of spring outside lugs on pawl.
REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS.
(As Maxim, page 22.)
STOPPAGES.
(As Maxim, page 24.)
DAMAGED PARTS OF LOCK, &c.
(As Maxim, page 29.)
POINTS TO BE ATTENDED TO.
────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────
│ Before firing. │ During firing. │ After firing.
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Oil │Working and │Working parts during│Bore immediately.
│ recoiling │ temporary │
│ portions. │ cessation of fire.│
│In handles. │ │Thorough clean in
│ │ │ barracks.
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Test │Recoiling portions. │ │Release lock spring.
│Fusee spring. │ │
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Examine │Barrel. │Clamps of tripod not│Unload and clear
│ │ loose. │ extractor.
│Spare parts. │ │
│Belt. │Refill belts. │Empty cases (no live
│ │ │ rounds amongst
│ │ │ them).
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Water │Fill barrel casing. │Watch consumption. │Empty out.
│Add glycerine in │ │
│ frosty weather. │ │
────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────
BELT FILLING.
All numbers, also drivers, should be instructed and practised in belt
filling by hand, and also with the belt-filling machine, as follows:—
Belt Filling by Hand.
One Man Loading by Hand.—Sit on the ground, with the right foot doubled
under the left thigh, the left foot resting on the outer side and drawn
towards the right knee.
Place the belt on the left knee, with the tag pointing to the right.
Take hold of the first brass strip between the forefinger and thumb;
then with the remaining fingers and ball of the thumb, hold the belt so
that the pockets will remain open. Take five cartridges in the right
hand, insert into pockets, taking care to avoid doubling over the thin
edge of webbing. Now place the belt on the knee, and, placing the tips
of the fingers on the front of the belt, finally adjust the cartridges
by pushing them forward with the thumb until the points of the bullets
are in line with the _ends_ of the long brass strips. Continue to load
and adjust in fives, and make a final inspection when placing the belt
in the box.
Belt Filling by Machine.
Fix machine so that crank handle can be worked with right hand.
Unfold loading tray and leg, the tray being secured to the left of bed
plate by pin, the leg being made rigid by turning up the keeper plate on
to the pin catch.
Turn the steel guide plate (on bed plate) outwards. Pocket opener must
be far enough back to clear the belt.
Place belt behind roller and into belt guide. Edge of belt to be
touching side of guide, projecting end of long brass strips to point
away from cartridge plunger, and to pass under the steel guide.
Pawl to lie on top of belt.
Turn steel guide into position again and draw belt through with left
hand until first pocket is opposite pocket opener.
Fill hopper with cartridges and replenish as required.
Revolve crank handle continuously (not too fast) until belt is filled.
(A light pressure should be kept on the belt with the left hand until
the weight of the filled portion is sufficient to assist the pawl.)
The Lewis Automatic Machine Gun.
LIST OF PARTS.
1. Butt plate.
2. Butt plate screws (2).
3. Buttstock.
4. Butt tang screw.
5. Butt tang.
7. Butt latch.
8. Back sight bed spring.
9. Back sight bed spring screw.
10. Butt latch spring.
11. Back sight bed.
13. Feed cover.
14. Back sight leaf.
20. Back sight slide.
21. Ejector.
22. Guard side pieces (2).
23. Back sight axis pin washer.
24. Back sight axis pin.
26. Receiver.
27. Magazine pawls spring.
28. Stop pawl.
29. Rebound pawl.
30. Trigger.
31. Feed operating stud.
32. Safety (right and left).
33. Trigger pin.
34. Feed operating arm.
35. Feed pawl.
36. Feed pawl spring.
37. Bolt.
38. Charging handle.
39. Guard.
40. Cartridge guide spring.
41. Sear spring.
42. Sear spring box.
43. Magazine pan.
44. Ejector cover.
45. Extractors (2).
46. Gear stop.
47. Striker fixing pin.
48. Gear stop pin.
49. Gear stop spring.
50. Striker.
51. Cartridge spacer ring.
52. Gear.
53. Mainspring casing.
54. Magazine top plate rivets (6).
55. Mainspring.
56. Collet pin.
57. Mainspring collet.
58. Magazine centre.
59. Mainspring rivets (2).
60. Magazine latch spring.
61. Gear casing.
62. Magazine latch.
63. Centre key.
65. Gear case hinge pin.
66. Feed operating arm latch.
67. Magazine top plate.
68. Receiver lock pin.
69. Spacer ring rivets (5).
70. Interior separators (25).
71. Radiator casing rear, locking piece.
72. Rack.
74. Radiator casing rear.
75. Piston connecting pin.
76. Barrel.
77. Gas cylinder.
78. Radiator.
79. Piston.
80. Regulator key stud.
81. Gas regulator key.
82. Gas chamber.
83. Gas chamber band.
84. Gas regulator cup.
85. Clamp ring.
86. Front sight.
87. Clamp ring positioning screw.
88. Clamp ring screw.
89. Barrel mouthpiece.
90. Radiator casing front.
91. Sear (rear).
92. Hand grip.
93. Oil well.
94. Oil well cap.
95. Oil brush.
96. Spade grip butt tang.
97. Deflector.
98. Deflector arm.
99. Deflector arm joint pin.
100. Deflector clip.
101. Deflector clip joint pin.
102. Deflector bracket.
103. Deflector clamp screw.
104. Deflector latch.
105. Deflector latch screw.
106. Deflector clamp screw washer.
107. Deflector clamp screw stop nut.
108. Shell catcher bag.
109. Mounting yoke.
110. Mounting yoke clamp.
111. Mounting yoke bronze pillar.
112. Mounting yoke pillar screw.
113. Mounting yoke clamp hinge pin.
114. Mounting yoke clamp pin.
115. Mounting yoke clamp key.
116. Back sight elevating screw.
117. Back sight elevating screw head.
118. Back sight elevating screw head pin.
119. Back sight elevating screw head spring.
120. Sear pin.
121. Butt latch pin.
122. Mounting yoke pillar hinge pin.
123. Mounting yoke chain.
124. Mounting standard.
125. Light field mount bottom cross brace.
126. Light field mount centre post.
127. Light field mount feet (2).
128. Light field mount front legs (2).
129. Light field mount front yoke.
130. Light field mount knuckle joint.
131. Light field mount knuckle joint pin.
132. Light field mount rear brace.
133. Light field mount T joint, centre.
134. Light field mount T joint, side (2).
135. Light field mount top lug.
136. Barrel mouthpiece spanner.
137. Magazine filling handle.
[Illustration:
Plate VI.
LEWIS AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUN.
]
Description.
The gun complete weighs 25¼ lbs. and can be withdrawn from its leather
case and put into action immediately.
There are only 62 parts in the gun proper—these cannot be wrongly
assembled, and require no adjustment.
No water is used for cooling purposes, the steel barrel being closely
fitted with a jacket of aluminium having deeply-cut grooves throughout
its length. Over this is a thin tubular steel casing, the muzzle end of
which extends (in reduced diameter) beyond the end of barrel, the
special shaped mouthpiece screwed to the end of barrel serving the
double purpose of firmly securing the radiator in place and of directing
the powder blast of each discharge as to greatly increase the “ejector
action” of this blast in sucking cool air through the grooves of the
radiator. The system is so effective that the gun is found to give a
slightly greater velocity to the bullet than can be obtained from the
same length of barrel in a shoulder arm firing the same ammunition.
There is no excessive recoil and the gun can be used with or without
mount.
The gun is fed from a rotating drum magazine, which is controlled by the
reciprocating breech mechanism.
Shell Deflector.
The shell deflector is an attachment for controlling the ejection of
empty cartridge cases. It is very readily and quickly attached, and when
in position can be instantly swung back out of the way so that the
inside of the gun may be examined or any part of the mechanism got at.
Light Folding Field Mount.
Is a three-and-a-half-pound folding mount adapted for general use with
infantry and cavalry. The mount is surprisingly rigid, and permits of
very accurate shooting. Both front and rear mounting yokes, connected
through centre post and rear brace, are pivoted about the axis of the
centre post, so that the gun is always free to traverse. The gun is also
free to turn within the yokes, so that the sights may always be kept
vertical, no matter what the position of the feet. When the mount is
attached, it is often convenient to use the rear brace as a handle for
carrying the gun.
[Illustration:
Plate VII.
Light Folding Field Mount Complete.
]
To Put Gun into Action.
When a loaded magazine is dropped into place over the magazine post, and
the charging handle pulled to the rear as far as it will go and then
released, the gun is put into action by a pull on the trigger, and
continues to fire until the finger pressure on the trigger is released,
or until the magazine is empty.
Single Shots.
When the trigger is pulled once and very quickly released a single shot
is fired, this may be repeated at will until the magazine is empty.
Semi-Automatic Fire.
Within the limits of the magazine capacity the gun continues to fire so
long as the trigger is held back, and stops firing whenever the trigger
is released.
Full Automatic Fire.
Continued pressure on the trigger results in full automatic fire, which
need be interrupted only by the four seconds interval required to
replace emptied magazines by loaded ones.
During firing, before the magazine has been emptied, the gun stops at
the beginning of the forward stroke, in the “ready to feed” position.
In this position the action is open and the chamber empty, but firing
can be resumed on pulling the trigger.
General Note.
=Before Firing.=—See to it that bore is clear, working parts properly
lubricated, and that tension of main spring is sufficient to avoid
missfires.
=After Firing.=—See that gun is immediately unloaded, and that bore,
working parts, and bearing surfaces are carefully examined, cleaned, and
properly lubricated as soon as possible.
It is especially important to oil piston head and inside of gas
cylinder; and to remove oil, and replace gas regulator cup.
Burrs found raised on any working part should be removed, and any
roughening on a bearing surface should be smoothed down with fine emery
or an oilstone.
TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE.
The gun may be taken apart starting with the mechanism in any position,
but it is best, whenever practicable, to see that the magazine is
removed, the chamber empty, and the charging handle at the extreme
forward end of its stroke, before commencing to dissemble. If this
procedure is followed there will be no need to readjust the mainspring
tension or to make any other adjustment when the gun is reassembled.
Stripping.
To dissemble gun, insert point of a bullet into slot leading to butt
latch and push forward against force of butt latch spring. At the same
time twist buttstock up and to left, then remove by withdrawing it to
the rear. This removes buttstock group which should not be further
dissembled.
Next, hold back trigger and pull back guard until clear of receiver.
This removes guard, which contains trigger mechanism and butt latch.
Pull down gear casing until it drops clear of rack.
Pull back charging handle until it reaches end of slot, then withdraw by
pulling it out away from receiver.
Withdraw operating rod complete and bolt complete by pulling them both
together to rear until clear of receiver.
With point of a bullet push back on receiver lock pin, then twist
receiver up and to left and unscrew it from barrel.
The foregoing operations divide the gun into convenient groups.
DETAILED STRIPPING.
Buttstock Group.
It is best never to strip this group, but if found necessary, the screws
securing buttplate and butt tang to buttstock are readily removed.
Receiver Group.
See that the feed operating arm is pushed to the right, then pull back
and remove feed cover.
=Feed Cover.=—From the feed cover the stop pawl, rebound pawl and
cartridge guide spring are readily removed with the point of a bullet.
=Back Sight.=—The back sight may be stripped from feed cover by removing
bed spring screw.
=Feed Operating Arm.=—Remove feed operating arm complete, by pushing
forward on feed operating arm latch and then lifting clear of magazine
post. The feed pawl and feed pawl spring are removed from feed operating
arm by lifting them clear of the studs. The latch should not be removed.
=Ejector.=—With the point of a bullet lift and pull out ejector cover
and the ejector.
=Safety.=—The safeties may be prised out of the receiver with a bullet
point.
Gear case hinge pin and centre key are permanently assembled and should
not be removed.
=Gear Casing.=—Push forward and remove receiver lock pin and unhook gear
casing from gear case hinge pin.
Mainspring Group.
To strip completely the parts assembled in gear casing, raise the gear
stop with the point of a bullet, and allow mainspring to unwind.
=Gear.=—Then unscrew the collet pin and shake out gear.
=Mainspring.=—Pushing with a bullet through the gear against mainspring
collet forces out mainspring casing from which mainspring, with its
locating rivets and mainspring collet, may also be removed by the use of
a bullet.
=Gear Stop.=—The gear stop and gear stop spring should not be stripped,
but in case of necessity they may be removed by driving out the gear
stop pin.
Guard Group.
The assembled guard contains trigger mechanism and butt latch. To strip,
punch out trigger pin and sear pin.
=Trigger.=—Pull back trigger and lift out.
=Sear.=—Remove sear, sear spring box and sear spring.
=Butt Latch.=—Punch out butt latch pin and remove butt latch, and butt
latch spring.
In ordinary practice the guard group need never be stripped.
Bolt and Rod Group.
The bolt and rod group comprises the bolt complete and operating rod
complete. These two assembled parts are withdrawn together from the
receiver, and may then be separated by lifting bolt clear of operating
post on rod.
Bolt Complete.
=Feed Operating Stud.=—Unscrew and remove feed operating stud from rear
end of bolt.
=Extractors.=—The extractors are spring-tempered and are sprung into
place. To remove, insert point of a bullet under extractor claw and push
head of extractor out and away from bolt. At the same time draw the
whole extractor forward until it is clear of its seating.
Operating Rod Complete.
Not usually stripped.
=Piston.=—The piston connecting pin is riveted in place, but may readily
be punched out in case it is desired to remove piston.
=Striker.=—The striker may be withdrawn after punching out striker
fixing pin.
Barrel Group.
=Gas Regulator.=—Lift out gas regulator key, then unscrew and remove gas
regulator cup.
=Clamp Ring.=—Using the gas regulator key as a tool, unscrew clamp ring
screw and remove clamp ring which carries front sight and clamp ring
positioning screw.
=Radiator Casing.=—Pull forward radiator casing front, and pull back
radiator casing rear which is permanently assembled to radiator casing
rear locking piece.
=Gas Cylinder.=—Unscrew and remove gas cylinder, using operating rod as
a wrench.
=Gas Chamber.=—Unscrew gas chamber, using, if necessary, barrel
mouthpiece wrench.
=Barrel Mouthpiece.=—Unscrew barrel mouthpiece. Thread is left-handed.
=Barrel.=—Drive out barrel from radiator. This operation may
conveniently be accomplished before removing barrel mouthpiece by
unscrewing latter part way and then allowing barrel and radiator to drop
from a height of two or three feet on to a solid piece of wood, striking
on front end of barrel mouthpiece. The weight of the radiator dropping
from this height will usually loosen barrel sufficiently so that it can
be withdrawn by hand from radiator after mouthpiece has been removed.
=Gas Chamber Band.=—Lift out gas chamber band from its recess in
radiator.
Assembling.
By reversing the operations for stripping the assembling of gun is
readily and quickly carried out. The following points, however, should
be noted:—
1. Be sure that gas chamber band is correctly inserted into its place in
the radiator before barrel is pushed home, and that barrel is turned
with gas port at bottom.
2. In replacing bolt and operating rod the cam slot in bolt is slipped
over striker and feed operating stud is screwed into bolt as far as it
will go.
3. After inserting bolt, rod, and charging handle, the charging handle
is carried forward to extreme end of its stroke before gear casing is
swung up into place and rack engaged.
4. The mainspring is wound up by engaging the rack and gear, disengaging
the guard, and pulling back on the charging handle until the required
tension is obtained. The gear is then disengaged, charging handle moved
completely forward, gear re-engaged and guard pushed home.
5. To reduce tension of mainspring proceed as follows:—
Remove buttstock.
Disengage both guard and gear.
Move charging handle part way back.
Re-engage gear and guard.
Replace buttstock.
STOPPAGES.
───────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
Position of│ Immediate action. │ Remedy. │ Cause.
C.H. │ │ │
───────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Forward:— │ │ │
(_a_) │Turn magazine free │ │Magazine empty.
│ and change │ │
(_b_) │If magazine is │ │Missfire or space
│ fixed, pull back │ │ or rotation not
│ C.H. │ │ sufficient.
(_c_) │If recur, change │Examine rim of old │Faulty feed due to
│ magazine │ magazine │ damaged rim.
│ „ │Feed arm pawl. Stop│Feed arm pawl, or
│ │ pawls │ stop pawl.
(_d_) │If missfire on │If too │Weak or broken
│ pressing trigger │ light—adjust. │ return spring.
│ examine return │ │
│ spring │ │
│ „ │If │Damaged or broken
│ │ broken—substitute│ striker.
│ „ │If correct—change │
│ │ rod │
(_e_) │If C.H. will not │If dirty—clean │Dirt.
│ come back pull │ │
│ back with wooden │ │
│ handle │ │
│ „ │If hot—cool │
C.H. back │Pull C.H. back with│ │Bulged cartridge
slightly │ wooden handle or │ │ (should never get
│ pull through │ │ into magazine.)
│ „ │ │Separated case
│ │ │ (unknown as yet).
C.H. nearly│Examine ejection │ │
back │ opening, if clear│ │
│ pull C.H. back │ │
│ and carry on │ │
or, back to│If return spring is│Clean gas cylinder,│Weak or broken
full │ weak, adjust or │ or piston rod and│ return spring.
extent │ change it │ oil up │
│If it recurs, │ │Friction in gas
│ remove magazine │ │ cylinder or
│ and gas regulator│ │ moving parts.
│ and fire. After │ │
│ firing put back │ │
│ gas regulator, │ │
│ with large hole │ │
│ to rear │ │
│If empty case is │If recurs, examine │Weak or broken
│ found, pull crank│ extractor ejector│ extractors.
│ handle, raise │ │
│ safety catch, │ │
│ remove magazine │ │
│ and empty. │ │
│ Examine rim │ │
│ „ │ │Broken ejector.
│If crank handle │ │Magazine not really
│ jams remove │ │ home, or rim
│ magazine │ │ injured, or catch
│ │ │ broken.
│If crank handle │Change if broken │Weak or broken
│ flies forward, │ │ cartridge guide
│ insert new │ │ spring.
│ magazine, │ │
│ otherwise examine│ │
│ cartridge guide │ │
│ spring │ │
───────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────
The Colt Automatic Gun
(1914 MODEL.)
Weight of gun 35 lb.
„ „ tripod 58 „
Length of barrel 28 in.
Calibre ·303.
Rate of fire 400 shots per min.
The gun will swing horizontally through a complete circle of 360
degrees. The muzzle may be depressed 39 degrees and elevated 31 degrees,
giving a vertical range of 70 degrees.
The barrel, which is detachable, is connected with the breech casing in
which the mechanism for charging, firing and ejecting is contained.
Cartridges are automatically fed into the gun by means of a belt
containing 250, running from a box attached to the left side of the
breech casing.
The automatic action of the gun is effected by means of the pressure of
the powder gases in the barrel. There is a small radial vent in the
barrel near the muzzle, opening downward from the bore. This vent is
closed by a piston which fits in the gas cylinder surrounding the outer
edge of the vent. The piston is pivoted to the gas lever so that it
adjusts itself to the gas cylinder while the lever swings in a vertical
plane.
The belt is inserted from the left; the lever thrown downward and
rearward as far as it will go. This opens the breech and feeds the first
cartridge from the belt to the carrier; the lever is then released, and
the spring causes it to swing forward, close the vent and transfer the
cartridge from the carrier to the barrel; also cocking the hammer,
closing and locking the breech.
[Illustration:
Plate VIII.
Gun mounted on Tripod, showing Belt passing out.
(Right Side.)
]
On pulling the trigger the cartridge is fired. After the bullet has
passed the vent and before its exit from the muzzle, the powder gases
expand through the vent upon the piston and gas lever, which in turn act
on the breech mechanism, opening the breech, ejecting the shell and
feeding to the carrier another cartridge. The gas lever, returning,
under the action of the retractor spring, forces the cartridge into the
chamber, closing and locking the breech. If, instead of releasing the
trigger, it is held back, the same operation will be repeated as long as
cartridges are supplied, producing continuous fire at the rate of 400
shots or more per minute.
A safety lock secures the hammer, the latter being also used as a piston
for an air-pump, forcing a strong jet of air into the chamber and
through the barrel, removing all residue after the empty shell is
ejected.
=The mainspring, firing-pin and extractor= can be easily replaced.
=The mount= consists of two principal parts:—
(_a_) Saddle with toothed arc.
(_b_) Yoke.
=The saddle=, in which the gun rests, is pivoted to the yoke by means of
the axis bolt, so as to swing in a vertical plane. The gun is held in
position on the saddle by the gun pin, which is inserted with its handle
vertical; in any other position of the handle the gun is held secure by
the gun pin lock screw.
=Changes of elevation= are made by means of the worm gear, which engages
in the teeth of the arc, and is operated by the hand wheel, being
secured at any angle by the arc clamp.
The lower part of the yoke is in the form of a spindle, and fits in the
socket of the tripod, being secured by a spindle washer and spindle
washer bolt.
=The tripod= consists of a socket to which the legs are hinged. The two
front ones being interchangeable, brass shoes are attached to prevent
their sinking into the ground during firing.
A seat is attached to the lower portion of the rear leg, also a leather
tool bag containing spare parts, etc.
Equipment.
4 feed belts (capacity 250 rounds per belt).
4 feed boxes, for feed belts.
1 leather tool bag, containing the spare parts and accessories.
Spare Parts.
1 main spring.
1 hammer.
1 cartridge extractor and spring.
1 sear spring.
2 firing pins.
2 firing pin springs.
2 firing pin lock pins.
2 shell extractors.
2 shell extractor springs.
2 shell extractor pins.
2 handle locks.
2 bolt pins.
2 trigger springs.
4 cotter pins for piston-pin.
1 piston spring.
Accessories.
1 oil can.
1 combination spanner and screwdriver.
1 jointed cleaning rod.
1 combination operating handle and screwdriver
3 drifts.
Instructions for Operation.
Attach box in firing position on the left side of mount.
=To Load.=—Push belt through opening above the box from the left and
draw it as far as it will go. Let go the belt. (Never pull on the belt
while the gas lever is being operated.) Swing the gas lever downward to
the rear until it strikes the bottom plate of the gun. Release gas
lever, when it will resume its normal position.
The gun is now ready to fire.
=To Fire.=—Hold back trigger. The firing will continue until the trigger
is released or until all the cartridges in the belt are fired.
To hold the gun ready for firing, push the safety latch on right side of
gun below rear sight from “fire” to “safe.”
=To Draw Belt and Cartridges from the Gun.=— Push forward the knurled
head on the right side of the gun near the belt exit and draw the loaded
belt out to the left. Then operate the lever once by hand, as in
loading, ejecting the loaded cartridge that remains in the chamber.
=Missfires.=—Wait a moment in order to make sure that it is a missfire
and not a hangfire. Then operate the gas lever by hand, as in loading,
which will eject the unexploded cartridge and will re-load ready for
continued firing.
=Stoppage from any Cause.=—Whether the stoppage occurs from the jamming
of a cartridge, missfire, or breakage of a part of the gun, operate the
lever once by hand before making any effort to free the mechanism.
If the stoppage occurs when the lever is partially retracted, push it
backward until it strikes the bottom plate. Never push it forward. This
will generally free the mechanism, unless a broken part stops it. If not
freed, draw belt and cartridges from the gun and examine for breakages.
In case of jamming, due to failure to eject empty shell, draw back the
lever until it strikes the bottom plate, letting the live cartridge and
carrier descend into the bottom position, and remove shell with cleaning
rod. The lever is now free to resume its normal position. In this case,
examine the extractor, and, if broken or chipped, or the spring does not
work well, replace it.
=Precautions to be observed.=—After dismounting mechanism and before
firing is begun, a belt of cartridges (preferably dummies) should be
placed in the gun and the lever operated several times by hand, as in
loading, to see if mechanism is in proper working order.
=Caution.=—With the gun hot from rapid firing, a cartridge should not be
allowed to remain in the chamber longer than six or seven seconds, as it
may be discharged by the heat. In case it is not possible, from any
cause, to withdraw the cartridge within this time, and the lever is in
its normal position, no harm will be done; but if lever is partially
retracted, the bolt is then withdrawn and a “blow back” may occur. In
either event, keep away from in front of the muzzle until satisfied that
the danger from the explosion of the cartridge by heat is passed.
To Dismount Breech Mechanism.
1. Take hold of the gas lever pin and throw the gas lever rearward until
it strikes the bottom plate. Then release the gas lever, when it will
fly forward to its original position. This movement cocks the hammer.
[Illustration:
Plate IX.
COLT AUTOMATIC GUN—Sectional View
MODEL 1914
COLT AUTOMATIC GUN
showing position of Gas Lever when disengaging Barrel Lock, A, to
remove Interchangeable Barrel.
]
2. On the right-hand side of the gun, in front of the trigger, is the
handle lock, which is a pin with a small projecting lever resting in a
horizontal position. Turn this lever upward and backward as far as
possible. Withdraw the handle lock. This releases the handle, which then
can be removed rearward. The handle contains the mainspring, hammer,
sear, sear spring, trigger and trigger spring. To remove the hammer and
mainspring from the handle, pull back the trigger, release the sear by
pulling the nose down, when the hammer and mainspring will fly out, as
the sear holds them in place.
3. To remove the bolt, throw the gas lever rearward as far as possible,
and while holding it in that position insert the small end of the handle
lock in the hole on the right hand side of gun, pushing the handle lock
in as far as it will go. This removes the bolt pin from the bolt.
Withdraw the handle lock pin, but leave the bolt pin in the position in
which it now is—_i.e._, projecting from the left side. The bolt is now
free to be removed from the rear of the gun.
4. The extractor and firing pin can be removed from the bolt by pushing
out the small pins that hold them in place.
To Assemble.
1. Insert the bolt and push forward as far as it will go.
2. Place hand on gas lever, holding it up against bottom plate.
3. Push in bolt pin from left hand side as far as it will go.
4. Then release the gas lever.
5. Replace handle, locking it in position with handle lock.
To Remove Barrel.
Take hold of gas lever pin and throw the gas lever rearward until it
strikes the bottom plate, and hold in this position. Withdraw handle
lock and insert small end of same in small hole in rear end of gun, and
on right side, pushing handle lock in as far as it will go. This causes
the bolt pin to lock slide to receiver and to hold gas lever back. Bolt
pin will then project from left-hand side. Leave in this position.
Replace handle lock.
Attached to gas cylinder will be found barrel lock; place small end of
combination wrench under point of barrel lock and press down and out
until it clears barrel. Engage combination wrench in slot in under side
of barrel just forward of gas cylinder and unscrew; then pull barrel
forward and out.
To Replace Barrel.
Push barrel in as far as it will go and engage threads; complete this
operation with wrench until lines on top of barrel and receiver
coincide. Swing barrel lock up into slot. Release gas lever by pushing
in bolt pin from left-hand side as far as it will go with handle lock.
Replace handle lock. Do not remove or replace barrel until gas lever has
been thrown to rear and locked in that position.
To Strip.
Lay gun on right side, muzzle to left. Turn side plate lock screw to
left to bring cut in same clear of groove in side plate screws. Unscrew
side plate screws and remove. Place right hand on rear of left-hand side
plate, press downward, and with the left hand raise front of plate. Turn
gun over and remove right-hand plate in same manner. Turn gun so as to
bring bottom plate upward. Raise gas lever slightly with left hand, and
lift bottom plate out. Raise gas lever again and pull out slide pin.
Push slide to rear until it remains. Remove retracting spring tubes by
pulling nearest tube toward you and pushing other away from you. Pull or
push out gas lever bracket pin, then lift gas lever and connections out
of bracket. Push carrier pin out with pointed end of screwdriver and
lift carrier out of receiver. Unscrew locking screw and belt guide screw
in belt guide. Lift belt guide out. If belt guide should stick, push the
point of screwdriver under the slide at rear of belt guide and gently
pry upward. Remove handle lock and pull handle out to rear. Push slide
to rear and insert end of handle lock in small hole in rear of receiver
in side nearest to you, and push out bolt pin. Pull slide to front and
out and then push bolt out to rear with finger. Remove safety and trip.
To Assemble.
Hold gun with slot in receiver upward. Insert bolt, front end first.
Replace slide, pushing to rear as far as it will go. Replace bolt pin,
pushing it in as far as it will go by using end of handle lock. Replace
belt guide and screw, having locking screw engage groove in belt guide
screw. Replace carrier, having flat side or bottom up and carrier dog
down. Insert pin. Replace gas lever, having piston drop into hole in gas
cylinder. Adjust gas lever until large pin holes in gas lever and gas
lever bracket are opposite each other, then insert gas-lever bracket
pin. Next place retracting spring tubes in position having slot in
followers align with long slot in retracting spring tubes. Force
follower over projecting end of retracting connection by pressing
follower end inward, at the same time slightly compressing retracting
springs until pilot at end of tube clears bracket. Press tube inward at
bracket end and into hole for pilot. Place bottom plate in position by
putting tongue at rear end in receiver first and flush with rear end of
receiver. Place safety in position. Right-hand side plate should be next
placed in position, taking precaution to have slide pushed to rear as
far as it will go and the feed lever on plate carried to rear as far as
it will go, so that feed lever will lay between projections on slide
when plate is in position. To place plate in position, have the dowel at
rear of plate enter hole for same, in receiver, at the same time having
groove near edge of plate engage rib on bottom plate and gas lever
bracket pin enter hole in front end of plate. Turn gun over to rest on
plate, draw slide forward, having slot at forward end of slide engage
end of gas-lever connection. Hold gun at rear end with right hand to
prevent moving. Take hold of gas-lever pin with the left hand and swing
gas lever outward until slide pin can be pushed into hole in slide
through gas-lever connection, having flattened end of slide pin enter
slot in side plate. Place trip in holes and slot in receiver. Place
left-hand slide plate in position by the same method as right-hand
plate. Place side plate screws into holes in front and rear of side
plates. If screws do not enter freely see that bottom plate is flush
with rear of receiver; if not, tap bottom plate gently on front end
until it is flush with rear end of receiver. Screw plates together and
lock with locking screws, making a quarter turn of these screws to
engage grooves in side plate screws. Push handle into hole in rear of
receiver and lock with handle lock. Handle lock is placed in position by
inserting large end into hole with the stem held upward and then turned
toward front and downward to have projection engage locking cut in side
plate and until handle lock stop springs over stem. Place gun in mount
and run a few cartridges in a belt through gun to see that mechanism
works properly. Keep hand away from trigger during this latter
operation, and be sure to work gas lever until all cartridges are out of
gun.
LIST OF PARTS.
1. Handle.
2. Handle lock.
3. Handle lock and safety stop.
4. Handle lock and safety stop spring.
5. Handle lock and safety stop screw.
6. Hammer.
7. Mainspring.
8. Trigger.
9. Trigger spring.
10. Sear.
11. Sear spring.
12. Trigger and sear pin.
13. Bolt.
14. Bolt pin.
15. Shell extractor.
16. Shell extractor spring.
17. Shell extractor pin.
18. Firing pin.
19. Firing-pin spring.
20. Firing-pin stop pin.
21. Carrier.
22. Carrier pin.
23. Carrier dog.
24. Carrier-dog pin.
25. Carrier-dog spring.
26. Carrier-dog plunger.
27. Gas cylinder.
28. Gas-cylinder pin.
29. Gas lever.
30. Gas-lever pin.
31. Gas-lever connection.
32. Gas-lever connection pin.
33. Gas-lever bracket.
34. Gas-lever bracket pin.
35. Gas-lever piston.
36. Gas-lever piston-pin.
36A. Gas-lever piston-pin cotter pin.
37–38. Retracting springs.
39. Retracting-spring tube, R.H.
40. Retracting-spring tube, L.H.
41–42. Retracting-spring follower.
43–44. Retracting-spring tube screws.
45. Retracting connection.
46. Retracting-connection pin.
47. Retracting-connection long link.
48. Retracting-connection long link rivet.
49. Retracting-connection short link.
51. Retracting-connection short link rivet.
52. Stock, R.H., with escutcheon.
53. Stock, L.H., with escutcheon.
54. Stock screw.
55. Front side plate screw.
56. Front side plate screw, Lock screw.
57. Rear side plate screw.
58. Safety.
59. Belt guide.
60. Belt guide screw.
61. Feed-wheel and bushing.
62. Feed-wheel shaft.
63. Feed-wheel dog.
64. Feed-wheel dog screw.
65. Feed-wheel dog spring.
66. Feed lever.
67. Feed lever screw.
68. Feed throw-off.
69. Feed throw-off spring.
70. Feed throw-off screw.
71. Ratchet lever.
72. Ratchet-lever screw.
73. Ratchet-lever pawl.
74. Ratchet-lever pawl spring.
75. Ratchet-lever pawl pin.
76. Ejector.
77. Chamber guide.
78. Bullet guide.
79. Bullet-guide screw.
80. Cartridge guide, R.H.
81. Cartridge guide, L.H.
82. Cartridge extractor.
83. Cartridge-extractor pin.
84. Cartridge-extractor spring.
85. Trip.
86. Slide.
87. Slide pin.
88. Receiver.
89. Side plate, R.H.
90. Side plate, L.H.
91. Bottom plate.
92. Barrel.
93. Front sight.
94. Rear sight.
A. Barrel lock.
A1. Barrel-lock pin.
C. Combination wrench.
Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun.
COMPONENT PARTS.
1. Barrel.
Assembled—
Trunnion ring.
Gas nozzle ring.
Orifice screw.
Gas cylinder support.
Front sight carrier.
Front sight.
2. Regulator.
3. Receiver.
Assembled—
Bottom plate.
Front feed guide.
Rear feed guide.
Cartridge base stop.
Feed piece cover.
Closing spring.
Rear sight base.
Rear sight screw.
4. Hand guard.
Assembled—
Catches for legs.
Catch springs.
5. Locking nut.
6. Locking screw.
7. Cocking handle.
8. Guard with stock.
Assembled—
Recoil spring seat.
Hinged strap.
Elevating screw tube.
Elevating screw slide.
Slide spring.
9. Barrel rest.
10. Elevating mechanism.
Assembled—
Outer screw.
Inner screw.
Base.
11. Piston.
12. Fermeture nut.
13. Breech block.
14. Extractor.
15. Firing pin.
16. Ejector.
17. Ejector cap.
18. Cartridge stop.
19. Cartridge stop holder.
20. Sear.
21. Trigger.
22. Feed piece.
23. Feed spring.
24. Recoil spring.
25. Ejector spring.
26. Sear spring.
27. Cartridge stop spring.
28. Extractor spring.
[Illustration:
Plate X.
Infantry Model with Elevating Gear.
]
[Illustration:
Plate XI.
External Parts.
]
[Illustration:
Plate XII.
Working Parts.
]
ACCESSORIES.
One dismounting wrench.
One ejector key.
One hand extractor.
One cleaning rod complete.
Two wire brushes.
One cleaning brush.
One gas cylinder cleaner.
One oil can.
One front sight cover.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
The gun comprises a single barrel, receiver, guard and stock, rigidly
assembled. Guided in the receiver, parallel to and below the barrel, is
the piston, which by its reciprocating motion assures the automatic
action of the gun. This reciprocating motion is brought about as
follows:—When the bullet in its passage through the bore has passed a
port connecting the bore with the gas nozzle, a small portion of the
powder gas issues from the nozzle, and impinging in the cup-shaped
forward extremity of the piston, throws in the rear. The recoil spring
compressed by the piston in its rearward movement now returns the piston
to its initial position.
In its movement to the rear the piston, which is accompanied by the
breech block, opens the breech, extracts and ejects the spent cartridge
case, and brings a fresh cartridge to the loading position. In its
forward movement the breech is locked and the shot fired.
Feed.
The cartridges are fed into the gun on flat, tempered steel strips, of
30 rounds each.
=A folding barrel rest= is provided for steadying the barrel when firing
in the prone position which will ordinarily be taken.
=For aircraft= the gun is mounted on a crutch, and the stock may be
replaced by a pistol grip.
The operation of the gun requires but one man, who loads and fires. If a
second operator loads the speed of fire is increased from 250 to 400
rounds per minute.
ACTION OF THE MECHANISM
=To load=, the breech must be opened by means of the cocking handle. As
the piston is drawn back, cams on its upper face turn the fermeture nut
a partial revolution, disengaging its interrupted threads from
corresponding threads on the nose of breech block. This unlocks the
breech. Under the action of its spring, the feed piece engages with a
shoulder on the piston and locks it in its rearmost position.
To permit the introduction of the feed strip, the feed piece must be
lifted to its highest position by pressing up on its lower end. This
frees it from the shoulder of the piston, which latter moves forward
slightly under the action of its spring and engages with the sear. The
feed strip may now be introduced into the guides, cartridge side down,
and should be pushed forward until the pawl forming part of the feed
spring engages with it, so as to prevent any backward movement.
When the trigger is pulled, the piston, accompanied by the breech block,
is propelled forward by the recoil spring; the breech block pushes a
cartridge from the feed strip into the chamber; the cams on the upper
face of the piston act on the fermeture nut, locking the breech; the
firing pin is driven against the primer and the shot fired.
When the bullet in its passage through the bore has passed the port
leading to the gas nozzle, a small portion of the powder gas, conducted
by the port and the gas nozzle, impinges in the cup-shaped forward
extremity of the piston, and drives it to the rear. As already
explained, the breech is now unlocked by the action of the piston cams
on the fermeture nut, the breech block is withdrawn, along with the
extractor holding the spent cartridge case, which later is ejected when
its head strikes the ejector.
Towards the end of the backward stroke of the piston a cam on its side
imparts a slight rotary movement to the feed piece, which advances the
feed strip sufficiently to bring the following cartridge to the loading
position.
The last cartridge having been fired, the strip is ejected from the gun.
Under the action of its spring, the feed piece, which has been held up
by the strip, now descends, and, engaging with the shoulder of the
piston, locks the breech open. All is now ready for the introduction of
another strip.
The firing gear may be set for continuous firing, single shots, or
safety, by turning the cocking handle to the positions marked “A,” “R”
and “S,” respectively.
When set at “A” (automatic), so long as the trigger is held back, the
piston is free to move forward again under the action of the recoil
spring. As a result the gun fires continuously until the strip is
exhausted or the trigger released.
When set at “R” (repetition), a separate pull of the trigger is required
for each shot, as the sear engages with the piston each time the latter
recoils, thus stopping the firing.
When set at “S” (safety) the trigger is locked, and cannot be pulled
back. As a result the gun cannot be fired.
TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE THE GUN.
1st.—Close breech.
(_a_) Lift feed piece to its highest position by pressing up on its
lower end as for loading. This releases shoulder of piston
from feed piece and allows it to move forward slightly and
rest on the sear.
(_b_) Pull trigger, cocking handle being set at “R” or “A.” As this
releases sear, the piston is propelled forward by recoil
spring and breech closed as when firing.
2nd.—Remove cocking handle.
(_a_) Throw cocking handle knob to left, slightly past vertical and
against stop.
(_b_) Draw cocking handle back about ½ inch and then throw knob to
right as far as possible to an angle of about 45 degrees. By
this movement cocking handle is released from piston.
(_c_) Withdraw cocking handle to rear.
3rd.—Remove guard.
(_a_) Unscrew locking screws on left side of receiver three turns.
(_b_) Grasp receiver firmly with left hand and stock or pistol grip
with the right. Push stock forward about ⅜ inch and then
bring it straight down, separating it from receiver. This
combined movement will be learned after a few trials.
Firing gear (sear, sear spring and trigger) remains with guard.
4th.—Withdraw recoil spring from receiver.
5th.—Remove recoiling mechanism.
(_a_) Insert cocking handle in piston and push it forward as far as
it will go, knob inclined at about 45 degrees to right. When
home, turn knob to vertical position so as to engage lugs at
forward end with piston.
(_b_) Draw cocking handle to rear, and with it the piston, breech
block, extractor and firing pin.
6th.—Remove feed spring.
(_a_) Disengage feed spring from button at top of feed piece,
springing it up with forefinger of right hand by means of the
hooked portion projecting to rear.
(_b_) Dismount feed spring by pushing it to rear with left hand by
means of knurled button, at the same time springing it up
sufficiently with right hand to clear pawl from rear feed
guide.
7th.—Remove feed piece.
(_a_) Throw open feed piece cover by means of knurled knob.
(_b_) Lift leaf of rear sight.
(_c_) Lift feed piece to its highest position and turn through an
angle of 180 degrees so that lever points to rear. As
flattened portion of axis is now opposite corresponding slot
in upper bearing, feed piece may be removed to rear.
8th.—Remove ejector.
(_a_) By means of key unscrew ejector cap and remove it.
(_b_) Lift out ejector spring and then ejector.
9th.—Remove barrel.
(_a_) Unscrew barrel locking nut one-sixth of a turn to a stop with
right hand, using dismounting wrench.
(_b_) Remove barrel by drawing it straight to front.
10th.—Remove hand guard.
(_a_) Turn locking nut to left sufficiently to free its stud from
engagement with hand guard. (This stud serves to hold hand
guard in place while barrel is being mounted or dismounted.)
(_b_) Remove hand guard by drawing it to front.
11th.—Unscrew and remove locking nut.
12th.—Remove fermeture nut.
13th.—Remove firing pin.
Reverse breech block and firing pin will fall into the hand.
14th.—Remove extractor.
(_a_) Grasp breech block with left hand and hand extractor with
right; insert hook portion of latter between last and before
last coil of extractor spring, compress the spring, tilt the
end out of its seat and remove it.
(_b_) By holding breech block upwards, extractor will fall out.
15th.—Remove firing gear from guard.
(_a_) Hold stock between knees, the guard to the front.
(_b_) With right hand lift hooked arm of trigger sufficiently to
clear it entirely from vertical lever of sear.
(_c_) With left hand catch knurled button forming outer extremity of
sear axis and draw to left sufficiently to free right hand
end of axis from its pocket. Now lift sear vertically from
guard.
(_d_) Lift trigger upward and forward, separating it and sear with
spring attached from guard.
(_e_) Detach respective ends of spring from sear and trigger.
16th.—Remove cartridge stop.
(_a_) Unscrew cartridge stop holder by means of the dismounting
wrench.
(_b_) Withdraw cartridge stop spring and cartridge stop.
ASSEMBLING.
1st.—Mount in order the following parts: fermeture nut, barrel nut, hand
guard, barrel, ejector, spring and cap, feed piece, feed piece spring.
2nd.—Assemble the trigger, sear and sear spring, and then mount them in
guard.
3rd.—Mount the recoiling parts in receiver.
(_a_) Assemble extractor with breech block.
(_b_) Mount the firing pin, bringing it to its rearmost position and
turning head to left behind shoulder in breech block.
(_c_) Engage piston tang in the under slot of breech block. (Rear
face of tang should abut against the rear wall of slot, and
under tang of firing pin should engage in corresponding
groove in piston tang.)
(_d_) Turn fermeture nut to the open position by passing first finger
of left hand in ejection slot of receiver. (When in the open
position the ejection slot in the fermeture nut coincides
with the ejection slot in the receiver.)
(_e_) With the right hand grasp rear of piston assembled with breech
block, placing thumb on head of firing pin so as to hold it
turned to left behind shoulder of breech block.
(_f_) Insert piston assembled with breech block in rear of receiver
and push it forward with right hand until it comes to a stop.
(Its rear face will now be about 1½ inch in front of rear of
receiver.)
N.B.—It is imperative that the head of firing pin be turned
completely to the left, and that fermeture nut be at the open
position. The mechanism should slip into place easily,
forcing being neither necessary nor permissible.
(_g_) While pressing on the lower end of feed piece with the right
hand so as to bring it to its highest position, push forward
piston with left hand until breech is closed.
4th.—Insert recoil spring in piston and push forward, allowing a few
inches to project to rear of receiver.
5th.—Mount guard.
(_a_) Grasp pistol grip with right hand as for firing, making sure
that firing gear is properly mounted by pulling trigger
several times.
(_b_) Engage projecting end of recoil spring in its seat in the
guard.
(_c_) Bring the guard to a position under receiver so that the two
lugs on its head are opposite their mortises in rear of
receiver, the trunnions at the front being below and slightly
in advance of their sockets in the bottom of receiver. In
order that the end of recoil spring remains engaged in its
seat in the guard it may be held in place by means of the end
of the cocking handle shank.
(_d_) Engage lugs in their mortises and trunnions in their sockets by
raising guard vertically.
(_e_) Draw guard to rear until solidly seated in receiver.
(_f_) Screw up locking screw.
6th.—Mount cocking handle.
(_a_) Insert shank of cocking handle in opening in guard, the knob
inclined at 45 degrees to right, and push forward to a stop.
(_b_) Throw knob to left to a stop.
(_c_) Push cocking handle forward until home, and then throw knob to
right and down as far as it will go.
In order to replace a defective extractor or firing pin proceed as
follows:—
1st.— Close breech.
2nd.— Remove cocking handle.
3rd.— Remove guard.
4th.— Withdraw recoil spring.
5th.— Remove recoiling mechanism.
Replace defective part by a spare, and mount by reversing operations.
The extractor and extractor spring can also be removed without stripping
gun as follows:—
1st.— Insert an empty cartridge case in the ejection slot,
perpendicular to chamber.
2nd.— Close breech gently, i.e., by holding it back with cocking
handle, on to empty cartridge case, thus giving access to
extractor and extractor spring.
3rd.— Remove extractor spring and extractor by means of hand
extractor.
Replace defective part by a spare, cock the gun and withdraw empty
cartridge case.
POINTS TO BE ATTENDED TO BEFORE FIRING.
1. Cock gun.
2. Pass cleaning rod down the bore to make sure that barrel is clear.
3. See that regulators of all available barrels are properly set.
4. Oil mechanism. A moderate quantity of oil will suffice. It is useless
to flood the mechanism. As the essential parts are sufficiently
accessible through the ejection slot and by opening the feed piece
cover, dismounting is not necessary.
5. Test action of both ejector and cartridge stop by pushing on their
points. They should work freely, their springs being elastic but without
stiffness.
6. Test action of mechanism by rapidly opening and closing breech
several times. It should work freely and smoothly.
OPERATING THE GUN.
In firing, the prone position will be taken ordinarily, the barrel rest
being used to steady the gun.
In high grass or under conditions where more height is desirable,
ammunition boxes may be placed under the barrel rest so as to increase
height.
In short, any sort of rest available may be used, for instance, the top
of a parapet or the limb of a tree.
In going into action the following operations must be performed:—
(1) Set barrel rest.
(_a_) Free legs from their catches.
(_b_) Turn legs forward until at right angles to barrel.
(_c_) Open legs with a sharp movement such that the separators catch
in one another.
(_d_) Place the feet in desired position and force points into the
ground.
(2) Mount elevating mechanism.
(_a_) Place elevating mechanism foot on ground in such position that
it is at right angles to axis of gun.
(_b_) Bring gun to approximately the required elevation by turning
outer elevating screw.
(3) Take firing position.
(_a_) Take prone position, resting on the elbows.
(_b_) Grasp pistol grip and trigger with right hand, pressing stock
well into hollow of right shoulder.
(_c_) Grasp outer elevating screw with left hand.
(_d_) In case elevating gear is not used, left hand grasps stock to
rear of receiver and pulls shoulder strap down solidly
against shoulder.
(4) Cock gun.
(_a_) Throw cocking handle knob to left to a stop.
(_b_) Draw cocking handle to rear as far as possible with a sharp
quick movement.
(_c_) Return cocking handle to its original position, and set at “R”
for single shots, “A” for automatic and “S” for safety.
(5) =Loading= is ordinarily performed by a second operator, who takes
the prone position to the right of gun, with ammunition conveniently at
hand.
(_a_) Raise feed piece to its uppermost position by pushing up on its
lower extremity with left hand, placing thumb on feed piece
cover.
(_b_) With right hand introduce a feed strip into guides, cartridge
side down, and push home until the pawl catches.
N.B.—If gun is operated by but one man, loading will be found more
convenient if the elevating mechanism is not used; the firer performs
both operations of lifting the feed piece and introducing the strip with
the right hand, the left hand meanwhile steadying the gun by grasping
the stock.
(6) =Firing.=—The gun is fired by pulling the trigger.
(_a_) Single shots: Set cocking handle at “R” (repetition). One shot
is fired each time trigger is pulled.
(_b_) Automatic firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). If
trigger is held back the entire strip of 30 rounds is fired
automatically.
(_c_) Volley firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). The
trigger may be released after some 3, 5, or 10 rounds, as
circumstances require, aim quickly altered and firing
resumed, _i.e._, the strip of 30 rounds is fired in volleys,
as required.
(_d_) Safety: Set cocking handle at “S” (safety) and remove strip,
unless firing is to be promptly resumed.
N.B.—The trigger must be released at the end of each strip, so that the
sear will hold the piston at the cocked position during the introduction
of the following strip. Otherwise, as soon as the feed piece is raised
preparatory to loading the breech will close, necessitating recocking
the gun before continuous firing.
(7) Unloading.—In order to remove a partially spent strip, proceed as
follows:—
(_a_) See that breech is open, cocking if necessary.
(_b_) Hold claw of pawl free from strip by pushing upon lower
extremity of feed piece with left hand while withdrawing
strip with right.
N.B.—As a live cartridge never remains in the chamber the mere presence
or absence of the strip shows whether the gun is loaded.
RAPID CHANGE OF BARREL IN THE FIELD.
In prolonged firing it is sometimes desirable to replace a hot barrel by
a fresh one, so as to allow the former to cool.
This operation, which is performed without dismounting any part of the
mechanism, requires some 10 to 15 seconds.
Proceed as follows:—
Suppose the gun in the firing position.
The firer unscrews the locking nut one-sixth of a turn with the right
hand, using the dismounting wrench.
While the second operator grasps the legs of the barrel rest, quite near
the barrel, No. 1 separates the barrel from the receiver by drawing the
latter to the rear.
Resting the butt on the ground No. 1 now mounts the fresh barrel and
pushes it home.
Meanwhile No. 2 handles the hot barrel by means of the barrel rest,
which he then detaches as follows:—
(_a_) Fold the legs.
(_b_) Turn the legs forward until in line with the barrel.
(_c_) Pivot the legs half a turn around the lug of the front sight
carrier, thus permitting the separation.
The fresh barrel being mounted, No. 2 attaches the barrel rest and
resets it.
A hot barrel may be carried by means of dismounting wrench.
COOLING BARREL.
To reduce wear of rifling, the barrel should be kept cool if
circumstances allow.
Water is not harmful, and when available may be copiously applied to
barrel by means of a sponge or rag.
A hot barrel may be dipped in water, but all traces of latter must be
removed from barrel bore and gas cylinder, by blowing through same, by
means of cleaning rod, or by firing two or three loose cartridges.
Until all water is blown out of gas cylinder, the gas pressure may be
insufficient for ensuring automatic action.
USE OF THE REGULATOR.
In order that the working of the gun may be regular, sufficient power
must be available to ensure complete recoil of the piston. The amount of
power necessary must vary because of insufficient oiling, dust, or
fouling in the mechanism, &c. Then, again, pressure of the powder gases
may vary because of temperature, deteriorated powder, or badly worn
rifling.
The regulator affords means of varying the power which works the gun.
Under normal conditions it should be set at 25.
To test the automatic action, fire several shots with regulator set at
25 and cocking handle at “R,” and observe:—
(_a_) One shot should be fired at each pull of trigger. If more than
one shot is fired at a time, it shows that piston does not
recoil sufficiently after each shot to catch on sear.
(_b_) Claw of pawl should catch in the opening in strip at each shot.
If pawl rides on top of strip instead of catching, it shows
that piston does not recoil sufficiently to throw feed lever
through a complete stroke.
(_c_) The ejection should be regular and energetic.
If these three points are not satisfactory it may be concluded that
there is a lack of power, and regulator should be screwed up from 5 to
10 divisions.
On the other hand, too much power is not desirable, as the vibration due
to the violent action of the mechanism necessarily affects accuracy.
ACCIDENTAL STOPPAGES IN THE AUTOMATIC ACTION OF THE GUN.
In case of a jam always proceed as follows:—
(_a_) Open breech completely by means of cocking handle.
(_b_) Remove jammed cartridge through ejection slot by using hand
ejector or cleaning rod as the case may be, and see that
chamber is clear.
(_c_) Withdraw the strip if some remedy is to be applied. Otherwise
push it forward, bringing the next cartridge to the loading
position.
STOPPAGES AND THEIR REMEDIES.
(1) =Jam on the first round of a strip.=
The strip was probably not pushed completely home before trigger was
pulled. Always push forward strip until pawl catches, so that both strip
and cartridge are positively held in loading position.
(2) =Missfire.=
Eject defective cartridge by cocking gun, and continue firing.
N.B.—A loose primer falling into the mechanism may cause repeated
missfires. Dismount the piston and breech block so as to remove primer,
which will usually be found either in the piston cams or in the
fermeture nut near the entrance to the chamber.
Missfires may be also due to a weakened recoil spring. In this case
replace the spring with a spare.
(3) =Bad introduction.=
The cartridge jams at entrance to the chamber when being pushed forward
by breech block. The bullet of the cartridge in question may have been
imperfectly seated due to defective crimping, or the cartridge
insufficiently held by the clips of the feed strip.
In the latter case the strip should be put aside for re-sizing.
Another cause of bad introduction is incomplete feeding due to lack of
power. In this case screw up the regulator 3 to 10 divisions.
(4) =Incomplete ejection of the spent cartridge case.=
This is due to lack of power. Screw up the regulator 5 to 10 divisions.
CLEANING AND CARE.
This arm requires the same care as the service rifle. It must be kept
clean and free from rust, and all parts lightly oiled. No gritty
substances or emery should be used.
As soon after firing as practicable the barrel should be thoroughly
cleaned and oiled, particular attention being paid to the chamber.
The gas cylinder should be kept free from fouling by means of the
cleaner so that the regulator can be easily screwed up without using the
dismounting wrench.
When the gun is not in use the breech should be kept closed so as to
avoid weakening the recoil spring.
FEED STRIPS.
The feed strips hold 30 rounds each. There are three rows of clips which
hold the cartridge near the base, the middle and at the neck. A stop lug
which catches behind the head of the cartridge case prevents
longitudinal motion.
FEED STRIP FILLING MACHINE.
The feed strip filling machine is constructed for clamping to a bench or
plank, as, for instance, the lid of a cartridge box.
The hopper and clamp are removable for compactness in packing.
The machine must be so placed that the crank can be conveniently turned
with the right hand.
Proceed as follows:—
(_a_) Fill the hopper with cartridges.
(_b_) Push a feed strip, stop lugs to the rear, in its guides on the
machine until the feed tooth catches back of the first middle
clip.
(_c_) Turn the crank. At each complete turn of the crank first a
cartridge is pushed forward into the clips, and then the feed
strip fed ahead one notch into position for the succeeding
cartridge.
(_d_) When filled remove the feed strip.
This machine is operated most efficiently by two men. One supplies the
machine with feed strips, turns the crank, and removes filled feed
strips; the other supplies the hopper with cartridges.
N.B.—The feed strips may also be readily filled by hand; care should be
taken that the rims of all cartridges bear back against their stop lugs.
RE-SIZING THE FEED STRIPS.
When the feed strips have been used repeatedly, the middle clips
sometimes lose their curvature to such an extent that the cartridges are
not firmly held. This is quickly remedied by passing the strips through
the re-sizing tool so as to restore the middle clips to their original
form.
As a rule, very little re-sizing is necessary, slight contact between
the re-sizing roller and the top of the middle clip sufficing.
General.
DUTIES.
(Referring mainly to the Maxim and Vickers’ Guns.)
Section Officer.
To command his section in accordance with orders and the tactical
situation.
To select gun positions.
To observe and control fire.
To give instructions to range taker.
To act, when brigaded, under instructions of the B.M.G.O.
Sergeant.
Supervise guns coming into action as the section officer will direct.
Be prepared to take command in the event of the officer becoming a
casualty; in fact, act as the officer’s understudy.
Corporal.
Responsible for packing, and contents of limbered wagon·
On the march he will be in rear of it and work brake as required.
Superintend unpacking, and take command in the absence of officer and
sergeant.
See that rifles and packs of Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are put into wagon.
Have spare parts box handy.
Supervise ammunition supply and belt filling.
Direct limbered wagons as required.
Superintend filling of sandbags and cutting of brushwood.
Watch for signals from section officer.
Take place of sergeant in the event of him becoming a casualty.
No. 1 Firer.
Will personally clean and look after his gun.
Carry tripod into action, place it in position and assist No. 2 in
mounting.
Repeat all orders received.
Observe his own fire.
No. 2.
Assists No. 1 at the gun, carries it into action and mounts it with the
assistance of No. 1.
Attends to the feeding.
Watch for signals from the section officer.
Nos. 3 and 4.
Ammunition carriers.
No. 3 takes first supply to the gun assisted by No. 4 and arranges that
spare parts wallet is brought up to gun position.
He is also responsible that the condenser is in position before water
boils.
No. 4 takes ammunition from limber to No. 3 when a further supply is
required.
Takes condenser complete, and half filled with water to No. 3.
No. 5—Scout.
Acts as ordered by section officer.
No. 6—Range taker.
Takes ranges and prepares range cards.
The other No. 6, is a spare man and acts according to orders from his
officer.
Drivers.
Remain with wagons and must act on signal from the officer. They should
be taught to fill belts by hand or machine and to act as ammunition
carriers.
SECTION DRILL (WITH TRANSPORT).
Drill with Limbered Wagons.
The detachment will be formed up in two ranks six paces in rear of the
wagon, facing outwards.
On the command or signal “Action,” the driver dismounts and stands to
his horses. The sergeant and Nos. 5 and 6 double out to the section
officer. The corporal lowers the tail-board and superintends the
unpacking. The remaining numbers ground arms on the word of command of
the senior number, and fall out to the wagon to perform the duties
detailed above.
The corporal selects a suitable covered position for the limbered wagon,
if necessary.
On the command or signal “Dismount guns,” the procedure for unpacking is
reversed, and when completed, detachments fall in and take up arms by
word of command.
Drill with Pack Transport.
Normally mules will be led by Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8.
On the command “Prepare for action,” Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 8 will link their
mules to those immediately in front of them.
Nos. 7 and 8 will lead Nos. 1 and 4 mules. Nos. 1 and 2 will march on
the tripod and gun sides respectively of No. 1 mule and loosen straps.
Nos. 3 and 4 will march on either side of No. 2 mule.
On the command or signal “Action,” No. 1 will off-load the tripod and
No. 2 the gun; No. 3 will off-load the leading ammunition animal.
The corporal will select a suitable covered position for the pack
animals. The other duties of the various numbers are as on pages .
On the command or signal “Stand to,” Nos. 1, 2 and 3 will reverse the
actions of off-loading. The detachment will then form up for marching.
SECTION DRILL (WITHOUT TRANSPORT).
Guns, tripods and ammunition boxes will be placed on the ground, muzzles
to the front and in line, legs to rear, straps round rear legs buckled,
clamps sufficiently tight to prevent legs from hanging loose when tripod
is lifted. Traversing clamp sufficiently loose to enable gun to be
deflected by a sharp tap with the hand on rear crosspiece, guns on right
and not closer to each other than eight paces, ammunition boxes three
paces in rear.
=Fall in.=—Detachment for the two guns will “fall in” in two ranks, five
paces in front of the interval between guns, sergeant on left of front
rank, corporal covering him in rear.
Front rank will be right gun detachment.
Rear rank will be left gun detachment.
=Number.=—As in squad drill.
=Take Post.=—Detachments turn outwards and double to their respective
guns (sergeant and corporal on outer flanks, where they can
superintend). Nos. 1 and 2 fall in on left of tripod; No. 3 on left of
ammunition box. (If ground suitable these numbers should lie down.)
Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fall in, in single rank, in rear of No. 3.
The gun position and point of aim is then indicated, followed by
command:—
=Mount Gun.=—No. 1 picks up tripod, having previously seen that both
elevating screws are exposed the same distance, carries and places it in
position indicated. In adjusting, he must ensure that crosshead and
sights are upright, and legs clamped tight. No. 2 should so time his
advance that he will arrive immediately the tripod is adjusted. He will
carry gun to right side of tripod, holding rear crosspiece with left
hand, gun muzzle to rear under right arm. Kneels on left knee, facing
tripod, and supporting weight of gun on right knee, places it on tripod,
drives in and turns down crosshead joint pin, and removes cork plug from
steam escape hole.
No. 1 fixes elevating joint pin and directs gun towards the mark.
No. 2 kneeling and placing ammunition box in position.
No. 3 when he sees gun nearly mounted, will carry ammunition box forward
and place it within reach of No. 2. He then retires to a position not
immediately in rear of the gun.
=Load.=—No. 1 raises tangent sight, No. 2 passes tag of belt through
feed block. No. 1 turns crank handle on to buffer spring, pulls belt to
left front as far as it will go, and lets go crank handle, releases
strain on belt, then turns crank handle on to buffer spring, again pulls
belt to left front and lets go belt and crank handle. The gun is now
ready to fire.
=Single Shot Loading.=—Carry out first half of loading motions, then,
without touching belt, turn crank handle on to buffer spring and let go.
=800 (Range).=—No. 1 repeats the order and adjusts slide to elevation
required.
=At (Object).=—No. 2 adjusts traversing clamp if ordered to by No. 1,
who lays the gun, raises automatic safety catch with forefinger and
prepares to fire.
When No. 1 is ready No. 2 holds up his hand.
=Fire.=—No. 1 presses the double button.
=Cease Fire.=—No. 1 releases automatic safety catch and remains steady.
=Traversing Fire.=—No. 1 will lay gun on flank named, press button, and
tap alternately, with the hand, on the rear crosspiece in the required
direction, until limit is reached.
=Unload.=—No. 1 lowers the sight (not the slide), turns the crank handle
twice in succession on to buffer spring, letting it fly back each time
on to the check lever; then presses up finger pieces on bottom pawls,
No. 2 withdrawing and repacking belt in box. No. 1 clears ejector tube
and lock, and releases lock spring by pressing double button.
=Dismount Gun.=—No. 1 removes crosshead and elevating joint pins. No. 2
replaces cork plug, passes ammunition box to No. 3, and removes gun to
its original position in rear, No. 1 following with tripod, joint pins
will then be pushed home, legs folded and clamped.
Prone Position.
=Mount Gun.=—No. 1 crawls into position, pushing tripod forward with
right hand, having first adjusted front legs by turning it over and
moving legs round so that they remain in a slightly backward position
over the elevating wheel.
When in the position ordered for mounting, he turns legs down and
adjusts so as to secure a low, upright position of the crosshead.
No. 2 will then move into position, on his back, carrying the gun across
his body, muzzle to the front. On reaching tripod he will push muzzle
towards No. 1 who will assist in mounting, and insert crosshead joint
pin, No. 2 inserting elevating joint pin and removing cork plug.
No. 1 will then turn into position for firing, supporting himself
against the legs of No. 2.
Adjust sights, load, and fire as ordered.
=Out of Action.=—No. 1 will unload, Nos. 1 and 2 (in prone position)
will take hold of rear leg (No. 1 with right hand, No, 2 with left), and
draw gun out of action until under cover, when gun will be dismounted in
the usual manner; No. 2 having drawn ammunition box back with the gun.
TESTS OF ELEMENTARY TRAINING.
─────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────
No. │ Nature of Test, with │Standard │ Remarks.
of │ Commands. │ Time. │
Test.│ │ │
─────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────
I.│To erect tripod and mount │ 20 sec. │
│ gun. “Mount Gun.” │ │
II.│To load the gun. “Load.” │ 5 sec. │All motions distinct. No
│ │ │ slurring.
III.│To adjust sights and lay │ 12 sec. │From range being ordered
│ gun “At ... (Range) ... │ │ until No. 2 holds up his
│ Object ...” │ │ hand.
IV.│To unload the gun. │ 5 sec. │Motions distinct, belt
│ “Unload.” │ │ correctly repacked,
│ │ │ Lockspring released.
V.│To dismount the gun. │ 15 sec. │All points as at beginning
│ “Dismount Gun.” │ │ of Test I., and cork plug
│ │ │ replaced.
VI.│To bring gun into action │ 40 sec. │All points for Tests I.,
│ (Range ... Object ...) │ │ II. and III. to be
│ “Action.” │ │ fulfilled. Time taken
│ │ │ until No. 2 holds up his
│ │ │ hand.
VII.│Horizontal Traversing │ 3 sec. │
│ (Limits of Traverse). │for each │
│ “Traversing Fire.” │complete │
│ │ series. │
VIII.│Diagonal Traversing (Limits│ 4 sec. │
│ of Traverse). “Traversing│for each │
│ Fire.” │ series. │
IX.│Rectifying Stoppages. “Gun │ Correct │Correct remedy applied and
│ Stops.” │procedure│ gun relaid after remedy.
│ │begun, 3 │
│ │ sec. │
X.│Belt Filling. │ 1 min. │25 rounds.[1]
│ │ 12 min. │ 250 rounds.[1]
─────┴───────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────
Footnote 1:
Placed in a heap. Pass for inspection when filled.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MACHINE GUN.
The fact that the gun is mounted upon a platform and the personal factor
thus reduced, results in a close grouping of fire, and practically the
same results are obtained in war as in peace, the beaten zone being
about half the area of that of rifle fire. This gives the following
advantages:—
Surprise effect.
Observation of fire for ranging.
Overhead covering fire.
Other advantages of the machine gun are:—
Narrow frontage (a machine gun only occupying the same frontage as
two infantrymen).
Difficult to locate.
Normal rate of fire about 500 rounds per minute. All-round
traverse, which allows gun to be turned in any direction without
moving tripod, and with little exposure.
Mobility: It can go wherever a man can go on foot.
It has, however, the following drawbacks:—
Overheating, and consequent stoppage through too prolonged fire.
Noise of firing, and steam from barrel casing reveals position.
Narrow and scattered objects are unsuitable targets.
=It will be seen therefore that the machine gun is a weapon of
opportunity particularly adapted for surprise effect, but not for
sustained fire action.=
FIRE DIRECTION.
The following methods should be used:—
Ranging Fire.
Bursts of fire limited to from 10 to 20 rounds.
It is unlikely that observation will be obtained with larger bursts.
Rapid Fire.
In groups of from 30 to 50 rounds, the firer pausing slightly between
each group to confirm the alignment of sights.
Traversing Fire.
Distributed laterally, and applied in a series of small groups, the
object being to cover as wide a front as possible, with a minimum of
volume. (Groups should consist of from 5 to 10 rounds only.) A belt of
250 rounds should cover a frontage of 25 yards in one minute.
Swinging Traverse.
For trench warfare, and against dense targets at close ranges, the
traversing clamp being kept fairly loose and the gun traversed evenly
and smoothly from side to side, both hands retaining their hold on the
traversing handles.
Combined Sights.
When two or more guns are working together, the depth of the effective
zone can be increased by ordering different elevations for each gun,
both, however, using the same point of aim.
The respective depth and width of effective zones may be taken as
being:—
───────┬───────────────┬───────────────────────
Range. │ Mark VI. │ Mark VII.
───────┼───────┬───────┼───────┬───────────────
„ │Depth. │Width. │Depth. │ Width.
───────┼───────┼───────┼───────┼───────────────
Yards. │Yards. │ Feet. │Yards. │ Feet inches.
500│ 150│ 4│ 220│ 2 6
1,000│ 70│ 8│ 140│ 5 0
1,500│ 60│ 13│ 70│ 10 0
2,000│ 50│ 19│ 60│ 17 6
───────┴───────┴───────┴───────┴───────────────
From this it is apparent that, allowing an error of 10 per cent. in
ascertaining the range, the flatness of trajectory within 800 yards will
insure the target being included in the effective zone, therefore with
Mark VII ammunition combined sights should not be used at less than 800
yards.
Bracketing.
When only a section is available and the “combined sights” method does
not give sufficient assurance of fire effect, “bracketing” should be
used as follows:—
The range estimated, probable error determined, and the limits between
which it is necessary to search with fire, the maximum and minimum
elevation will be allotted to right and left gun respectively, who fire
a burst and then work inwards (one higher, one lower) by altering their
respective elevations 50 yards each time, eventually passing each other.
If observation of the fire can be obtained, correct elevation should be
immediately ordered.
With Mark VII ammunition this method would not be necessary at 1,000
yards, as with a 10 per cent. error the “combined sights” method would
give a satisfactory result.
Vertical Searching.
The range to nearest point of objective is taken, sight adjusted and gun
laid on this point.
Sights are then set for the farthest point of the objective. This will
bring the line of sight short of the aiming-point. A series of bursts
are then fired, care being taken that each burst strikes just beyond the
former one, but does not leave any gap between groups.
Overhead Fire.
Can be employed normally from or at a commanding position, or across a
valley, but not when own troops and those of the enemy are on same
plane.
Range of target must be accurate. If 1,000 yards or under, angles of
sight to enemy and own troops must not be less than 30 minutes. If range
is between 1,000 and 1,500 yards, the angle must not be less than 60
mins.
Overhead fire should not be used at 1,500 yards and over.
The following method of sighting can be used.—
Adjust backsight to correct range of target and lay gun on mark. If gun
is nearer than 900 yards, raise sight by 400 yards, and if further than
900 yards, raise sight 250 yards.
The new line of sight gives safety angles.
When heads of own troops come into line of sight, cease fire, or
continue to elevate gradually, keeping pace with advance.
Indirect Fire.
Firing from concealed positions at an auxiliary aiming mark.
A machine gun protractor, or graticules cut across the focal plane of
prismatic glasses are most satisfactory. By this means indirect fire can
be applied as easily as direct fire.
Night Firing.
The gun may be laid by day and left until required, or by use of the
“night firing box,” as follows:—
A stick is placed in the ground 10 yards in front of gun in a direct
line with the target, and at night the stick is replaced by the “night
firing box”—the sights altered (but not the gun) until aligned on the
lamp at the point where the lines form the true centre.
Searching and deflection can be satisfactorily carried out with this
apparatus.
EXAMPLES OF FIRE ORDERS.
Normal Fire Order using One Elevation.
Range.
Aiming mark.
Fire (signalled).
Cease fire (signalled).
Changes in elevation (up or down 100), as required.
Combined Sights.
Range and differences.
Aiming mark.
Fire (signalled).
Changes in elevation (left gun up 200, right gun down 200) (or more, as
required).
When Brigaded within Hearing.
The B.M.G.O. issues fire orders direct to the Nos. 1 as above.
When “differences” “by sections” are required the fire order will be as
follows:—
B.M.G.O.
(_a_) By sections—Range—Differences.
(Pause for section officers to name the number of their
sections and the “range” for their sections; they do not
repeat the “differences.”)
(_b_) Aiming mark.
(_c_) Fire.
Traversing Fire.
Range.
Target (naming right and left limits to be traversed).
“Inwards traversing.”
Fire (signalled).
The same method is employed when laying on the centre, the caution
“Outwards traversing” being given.
When brigaded within hearing orders are issued as follows:—
By B.M.G.O.:—
Range.
Limits of traverse.
Fire (signalled).
Section officer repeats limits to be traversed, and immediately issues
orders respecting ground to be traversed by their own sections,
corresponding to their own positions.
Vertical Searching Fire.
Range.
Aiming mark.
To “range” vertical searching.
Fire (signalled).
Bracketing Fire.
Ranges—bracketing.
Aiming mark.
Fire.
SIGNALS.
In many cases observation will be impossible from the gun position and
it will be necessary for observers to signal results from a flank.
The following semaphore code is used in signalling the results of
observation of fire:—
P— Plus: meaning fire observed at least 50 yards beyond target.
M— Minus: meaning fire observed at least 50 yards short of target.
T— Right: meaning fire observed to right of target.
C— Centre: meaning direction of fire correct.
U— Unobserved: meaning no observation obtained.
Q— Query: meaning fire observed, but its position uncertain.
R— Range: meaning range correct.
The signaller at the observation post should give the “call up” to show
that the observers are ready. “P” and “M” may be repeated for multiples
of 50 yards; thus, “PP” would mean, “Fire observed at least 100 yards
beyond target.” Signals should be repeated from the gun position if this
can be done without disclosing the position to the enemy.
On all occasions when guns are firing, the following signals should be
used in controlling fire:—
Signal for “Action.”—Both arms fully extended, raised from the sides to
a position in line with the shoulders and lowered again. This motion to
be repeated until it is seen that the signal is being complied with.
Note.—A machine gun is said to be “In Action” when it is mounted, loaded
and laid, but not necessarily firing.
Signal for “Out of Action.” Arm swung in a circular motion in front of
the body.
By No. 2.
Hand up—Gun ready to open fire.
By Controlling Officer.
Hand u— Preparatory to opening fire.
Hand dropped—Open fire.
Elbow close to the side, forearm waved horizontally—Cease fire.
GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.
Extracts from War Office Letter No. 9/General Number/4976 (M.T. 2),
dated 14th May, 1915.
1. PERSONNEL.
The following table shows the establishment of the Service Machine Gun
section to be maintained in the following units:—New Armies, Reserve
Units, Territorial Force Units, Colonial Contingents.
───────────────────────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────
Unit. │Officers. │Sergeants.│Corporals.│Privates.
───────────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────
New Armies (Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions):— │ │ │ │
Service Section │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
Reserve Section[2] │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Reserve Cavalry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Territorial Force:— │ │ │ │
Yeomanry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
Infantry Battalions │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
3rd Line Depôts │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Special and Extra Reserve │ │ │ │
Infantry Battalions:— │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
3 Battalions)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
2 Battalions)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 18
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
1 Battalion)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 12
│ │ │ │
Colonial Contingents:— │ │ │ │
Cavalry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
Infantry Battalions │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
───────────────────────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────
Footnote 2:
See paragraph 3.
Footnote 3:
Until the Second New Army goes overseas, 2nd Reserve Infantry
Battalions will all be considered as supplying one Battalion for the
purposes of this Letter.
In draft producing units, the personnel of machine gunners will always
be maintained; a reserve of men thoroughly trained in mechanism, drill,
etc., must be available to fill the gaps in the service section caused
by drafting.
2. AMMUNITION.
300 rounds (Territorial Force Units, Mark VI., other Units, Mark VII.)
will be fired in the General Machine Gun Course by each Officer, N.C.O.
and man of the existing service section or on his appointment thereto,
as soon as he is fit to fire.
Exceptions:—
(_a_) Men who have already fired a complete course:
(_b_) Men who have commenced a course previously approved will complete
such course.
Machine gunners of New Army Battalions, other than 2nd Reserve
Battalions, will not commence the course until authority is given to do
so.
Ammunition allotted to Machine Gun Sections is not to be expended for
rifle firing.
3. GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.
PART I. Rounds
allotted.
Practice 1.— Grouping 10
„ 2.— Single shot, traversing 10
„ 3.— Application 20
„ 4.— Vertical searching 20
„ 5.— (Omitted).
Additional Practice.— Swinging traverse 30
Repetition 20
———
110
———