CHIEF MECHANICAL TROUBLES.
The answer to this subject emphasizes the fact that when well looked after, the Maxim or Vickers machine gun is thoroughly reliable. Except in very few cases all breakages may be said to be due to want of care. The following are the principal troubles that have occurred:—
1. Broken Lock Spring.
From inquiries made it would appear that many gunners keep their guns loaded with the lock spring compressed during the whole period that the gun is in the trenches. This practice will be a fruitful source of broken lock springs. The half loading motion should be performed, and the lock spring released. To complete the loading when required should not take more than one second.
2. Bulged Barrels.
These are due to mud getting into the barrel when the gun is being carried into the trenches, while it is being mounted, or through striking against the parapet when in position.
Waterproof sheets or sandbags should be put round the gun when carrying it to or from the trenches.
3. Wet Belts.
These can generally be kept dry by covering the box with a waterproof sheet; the exposed part of the belt also being covered by that part of the sheet that is hung over the gun.
4. Muzzle Cups (Vickers’ Gun).
The reason for most of the breakages of these cups is that they are screwed up too tight, thus allowing for no expansion of the metal of the barrel owing to heat. At the same time they must not be too loosely screwed up, as this will equally cause breakages.
5. Stove Pipe Attachment.
Complaints are made that this bursts at the seam. This seam can easily be riveted by the armourer sergeant.
6. Loose Belts.
Loose belts have given trouble owing to wear.
7. Firing Pins.
A number of firing pins have been broken.
Beyond these few things mechanism troubles have been very rare.