PRECAUTIONS IN SEPARATE LOADING PROJECTILES.
All projectiles must be seated accurately and carefully in loading, otherwise not only inaccurate fire will result but also premature detonations may occur.
Rotating bands should be smoothed and lightly greased just before loading. In transport and in storage the bands should be protected by rope bands, straw tithes, etc., to prevent deformation.
CHAPTER XIII
CARE AND PRESERVATION.
OILS AND CLEANING MATERIAL, TOOLS AND
ACCESSORIES FOR ARTILLERY MATERIEL
WITH THEIR USE.
In order that all parts of the materiel may function easily, it is necessary that all the working and bearing surfaces may be properly cleaned and lubricated with the appropriate lubricant. Where such surfaces are not directly accessible, oil holes are provided; these holes should be kept free from grit and dirt. Except during oiling, they should be kept fully closed by the means provided.
For use in service, for the cleaning and preservation of this materiel, the ordnance department issues hydroline oil, lubricating oil, clock oil, vaseline, sperm oil, coal oil, neat’s-foot oil and light slushing oil. Each of these oils are suited for the particular purpose for which it is issued, as stated below, and care should be taken that it is not used for other purposes.
Hydroline oil.—Used in the recoil cylinders of the carriage and for no other purpose. Never used as a lubricant. It is characterized by its low freezing point and its non-corrosive action on metals.
Lubricating oil (Engine oil Number 1).—A light petroleum oil used exclusively in all oil holes of the materiel, and in lubricating such parts as wheels and axles, guns and cradle slides, cradle pintle and socket elevating and traversing mechanisms, exterior of cylinders, brake bearings, hinges, different surfaces of breechblocks, threads, breech recess, et cetera.
Clock oil.—Used on the spindle and all gearings of the Battery Commander’s telescope, bearings of the panoramic sight, range quadrants and fuze setters. In all cases clock oil should be used only when the instruments mentioned are disassembled for cleaning. It should be applied by dropping from the end of the dropper attached to the end of the cork. In case of emergency, use as a substitute either sperm oil or Engine oil No. 1, in the order mentioned.
Vaseline (Petrolatum).—The heavy petroleum oil free from rosin. Used on the worm gears and the worm racks of the panoramic sight, the hand and bracket fuze setter, B. C. telescope, and on the micrometer screw and bushing of the quadrant. The spare parts of the breech mechanism should also be coated with vaseline and each piece then wrapped in paper to prevent the oil from being rubbed off.
Sperm oil.—A lighter lubricant than the lubricating oils, and may be used on the gears of sights, fuze setters, ranges, quadrants, parts of revolvers, et cetera; lubricating oil may also be used on such parts. It is also used as a temporary rust preventive. Its low viscosity and light body make it unsuitable for this purpose for more than a few days.
Coal oil.—Used for cleaning purposes. In the field it may be used for lanterns. Coal oil for general illuminating purposes is furnished by the quartermaster department.
Neat’s-foot Oil.—An animal oil used for softening and preserving leather. Applied with a moistened cloth to the flesh side of moistened leather.
Light slushing oil.—The heavy petroleum oil similar to cosmic. Used as a rust preventive. Essentially a mineral oil containing a large per cent of rosin. Prescribed for use in the protection and preservation of all bright or unpainted of steel or iron on all parts of the equipment when the materiel is to remain unused for an appreciable length of time. Its use as a lubricant for mobile artillery is forbidden. Before applying the slushing oil to any surface, the parts should be thoroughly cleaned so as to be free from rust, coal oil, lubricating oil, et cetera, as their presence will cause rusting under the slushing oil. The slushing oil should then be applied in a thin, uniform coat, since this is all that is necessary to give good protection. Except in very cold weather it can be applied by using a paint brush as when painting, in cold weather it should be applied by stippling—that is, by holding the brush perpendicular to the surface to be coated and then tapping the surface with the point of the brush. It can be applied through the bore of the gun by a slush brush issued for that purpose. In cold weather it should be warmed before used in the bore of the gun. It may be readily removed by burlap or waste dipped coal oil.
Borax.—Issued for use as a flux in welding.
Lavaline.—A metal polish issued interchangeable with Gibson’s soap polish. Used on bits and collars.
Lye, powdered.—When dissolved in water, one pound to six quarts with sufficient lime to give a consistence of paint, is used to remove old and blistered paint.
Napthaline.—A moth preventive, effective only after eggs and grubs already present have been removed. Used in the storage of blankets, et cetera.
Polish, Gibson’s Soap.—A metal polish issued interchangeably with lavaline. Used on bits and collars.
Paint, rubberine.—Used in connection with loading ammunition in accordance with instructions regarding the same.
Primer, brown enamel.—A hard, quick drying enamel used for painting parts of horse collars, draft springs, et cetera.
Sal Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda.—A saturated solution of soda and water makes an alkaline solution that will not rust. The solution must be saturated, that is, at least 20% or one-fourth pound of soda (6 heaping spoonfuls to one cup of water). This solution is an effective solvent of powder fouling and should always be used after firing, whether metal fouling solution is to be used or not. It reduces the labor of cleaning with oil alone by more than half. Used also in a weaker solution (one-half pound to 8 quarts of water) in washing surfaces to be painted and to remove dirt and grease.
Soap, H. & H.—A neutral naphtha soap used in washing blankets, web and cloth equipment. Applied in the form of a solution (one cake to 9 cups of hot water). If for any cause this soap is not obtainable, a good laundry soap (ivory or equal) may be used, but in no case should yellow soap containing a large percentage of alkali be used.
Soap, castile.—An alkaline soap used in cleaning leather equipment. Applied on a moistened sponge.
Soap, saddle (Hollingshead).—A soap used as a dressing for leather equipment. Applied with a thick lather on a moistened sponge.
Swabbing solution, contains.—Ammonium persulphate, 60 grains or one half spoonful smoothed off. Ammonia 28%, 6 oz. or ⅜ of a pint or 12 spoonfuls. Water, 4 oz. or ¼ pint or 8 spoonfuls. Dissolve the ammonium persulphate in the water and add the ammonia. Keep in a tightly corked bottle. Pour out only what is necessary at a time and keep the bottle corked.