All front trace-chains are permanently fastened to the traces, and have a toggle at the end.
All rear trace-chains have a ring at one end and a hook at the other; the hook is passed through the D ring at the end of the trace, and hooked back into any desired link. By this means the length of the trace is adjusted, and the rear trace-chain need not be removed except for cleaning.
CARE OF CARRIAGES.
In garrison carriages must be kept in the gun-sheds.
In the field they should be parked, if possible, on dry ground, furrows being cut, if necessary, to prevent the accumulation of water around them. They should be covered with the paulins.
Every carriage should be carefully examined each day after marching into camp, and every defect and damage then noted and corrected as soon as possible. Everything in the way of cleaning, adjustment, etc., should be looked to, so that the carriages may be ready as soon as possible to turn out again in perfect order.
To keep wheels in good working order, they should be slightly greased after each day's march, and any old grease which has worked out at the shoulder of the axle scraped off. In garrison this is done each drill-day by the cannoneers while the drivers are hitching up, first wiping them off with cotton waste and then applying a little grease or sperm-oil. When it is necessary to remove a wheel, it should never be thrown upon the ground, nor the point of the axle allowed to rest upon the latter. The elevating-gear should be kept cleaned and oiled, and also the trunnion bearings, as far as may be without dismounting the gun. Should the elevating-screw fail to work freely, it must be examined, and if the threads are indented on the edges they must be carefully filed down. In long marches a little grease should be placed on each pintle-hook, so that the lunette may work freely on it.
Grease for Carriage-wheels.—Hog's lard softened, if fresh, by working it. If this cannot be procured, tallow or other grease may be used; if hard, it should be melted with fish-oil. About one pound of grease is required for four wheels.
Those fittings of carriages upon which, on account of friction, etc., paint cannot be kept should be well oiled to prevent rusting; this is also necessary with linch-pins, keys, etc., to keep them free from the liability of jamming. Bright parts are kept in good order by applying with a brush or cloth a mixture of 1 pound of white lead and ¼ pound tallow or lard heated and mixed together. It is easily removed with a cloth and a little turpentine.
Leather strapping must be kept soft and pliable. Cotton waste and Putz pomade are supplied for keeping bright parts in good order.