The recoil is checked by rope-brakes, hooked to the trail-handles and passed around the felloes of the wheels. No limber is used, but a pole which is readily attached to the trail is provided for hauling the carriage.
AMMUNITION.
The ammunition is fixed, and consists of common shell and canister.
| Weight of round (common shell) | 2.62 pounds |
| Weight of shell, filled | 1.95 pounds |
| Weight of round (canister) complete | 3.47 pounds |
| Weight of canister | 2.8 pounds |
| Number of balls in canister | 30 |
| Powder-charge | 5½ oz. mortar |
| Bursting-charge of shell | 1.8 oz. |
| Weight of cartridge case empty | 5.3 oz. |
| Weight of fuze | 1.9 oz. |
The drawn metallic cartridge-case ([Fig. 5]) is of brass, and is drawn from the solid metal to shape. It is reinforced at the base by inside (c) and outside (b) cups of the same metal. The head (d) is fastened to the base by brass rivets which clamp the body, cups, and head solidly together. A vent (v) is pierced through the head of the cartridge, and five eccentric flash-holes (a) through the reinforcing-cups. The jet of flame from the primer, entering the vent, lifts the reinforcing-cups and forces its way through the flash-holes to the charge. The charge being ignited, the pressure of the gas immediately forces back the reinforcing-cups and seals the vent. The charge, consisting of 5½ oz. of black powder, is well shaken down and separated from the base of the projectile by a felt wad. When smokeless powder is employed, an igniter containing about 40 grains (3 grammes) of musket-powder is placed in the bottom of the cartridge-case. The vent is sealed with a thin coating of wax.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
