Precautions to be Observed.—(a) Never lay the cover upon the ground, as it is liable to pick up sand and dirt, which may derange the working of the parts.
(b) A partially filled feed-case should not be put back into the ammunition-chest without being filled up, as the cartridges may become inverted and jam the gun.
(c) If the gun jams, remove the feed-case at once, open the hopper, and reverse the crank until all the cartridges are taken out. This will be found to save time, unless the cause of the jamming is evident and in the immediate vicinity of the hopper.
(d) See that all the parts are kept well oiled to prevent friction and scouring.
THE CARRIAGE, MODEL 1883.
The carriage is made of metal; the axle of steel without any axle-body; the wheels are of the Archibald pattern; and the trail of two plates of mild steel, reinforced on top and connected by five transoms. A gunner's seat is hinged to the top of the trail. The oscillating-lever, when not in use, is carried between the trail-plates. The elevating-arc is held in place by a binding-screw, and is worked by a bronze handle.
The field of oscillation is limited by two stop-pins in front of the swivel. They permit of about 50° of lateral movement, and the gun can be held at any point of this arc by a binding-screw, the handle of which is on the left cheek.
On each side of the gun, and fastened to the axle, is an ammunition-chest of steel for carrying feed-drums and certain tools. These chests are lined with wood, and running through the middle, separating the compartments for feed-drums, are blocks of wood with recesses in their tops for the following tools:
| Left Chest. | Right Chest. |
| 1 cam-extractor. | 1 crank-handle for gun. |
| 1 riveting-hammer. | 1 drift. |
| 1 oil-can. | 1 lock screw-driver. |
| 1 screw-wrench. | 1 T screw-driver. |
| 1 sight, left. | 1 pin-wrench. |
| 1 sight, right. |