When cleaned and mounted, pour a little oil in the oil-holes and revolve the mechanism a few times to spread it on the bearings.
AMMUNITION.
The ammunition is similar to that used in breech-loading small arms, and consists of the projectile, to the base of which is crimped a metallic cartridge-case containing the powder-charge, and being provided with a percussion-cap for centre-fire. The charge of powder is loaded into the brass case and shaken down, and on the top of it is placed a felt lubricating-wad, which leaves sufficient end to the case to allow it to be crimped to the base of the projectile. The projectiles consist of cast-iron shell, steel shell, and canister. The nose of the first is truncated to give a seat for the nose fuze; that of the second comes to a sharp point, and its fuze is in the base. The canister consists of a thin drawn brass case, almost hemispherical at the head, filled with hardened lead balls packed in sawdust.
| Light. | Heavy. | ||
| Weight of shell, empty | Oz. | 14.4 | 16 |
| Weight of shell, loaded | " | 16 | 19 |
| Bursting-charge | " | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Number of fragments | 15 | 15 | |
| Weight of canister | Lbs. | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Number of bullets | 28 | 28 | |
| Weight of cartridge-case, empty | Oz. | 3 | 3.4 |
| Weight of powder-charge | " | 2.8 | 3.8 |
| Total weight of cartridge complete, shell | Lbs. | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Total weight of cartridge complete, case | " | 1.6 | 1.75 |
THE CARRIAGE.
Fig. 84.
| Light. | Heavy. | ||
| Diameter of wheel | Inches. | 45.2 | 55.1 |
| Weight of wheel | Lbs. | 99 | 187 |
| Width of tread | Inches. | 47.2 | 60.2 |
| Weight of carriage without shield | Lbs. | 550 | 990 |
| Weight of shield | " | 220 | 282 |
| Weight of gun, carriage and limber fully equipped | " | 2112 | 3487 |
The trail is formed of two brackets connected by bolts and two transoms, and having a gun-metal rest for carrying the trunnion-saddle, the rear ends being connected by the trail eye-piece, made of cast steel. The brackets diverge at the trunnions, the axle is of steel, and the wheels have metallic naves and tires.