Note.—If the continued lightening of the fusee spring results in the crank handle stopping in the third position, take muzzle attachment into use, and put fusee spring back to normal weight (see para. 44).
Note.—Worn or damaged side or extractor levers may result in the extractor being unable to rise, or if the side levers are bent, there may either be a succession of separated cases, or the lock may become jammed.
The causes of prolonged stoppages are so varied that they cannot be set out in detail. The following are amongst the most probable, and the detachment should be thoroughly trained to recognize them and to apply such remedy as lies in their power pending a permanent repair:—
(i) Broken Cover Springs.
The extractor may not drop when the lock is drawn back, and the gun will stop with the crank handle in the first position. This may possibly be overcome by liberal oiling of the lock, but in any case single shots can be fired by holding the crank handle forward until the extractor drops by its own weight.
(ii) Broken Ejector Tube Spring,
Causing either a block in the ejector tube or an accumulation of empty cases in the breech casing. It may be found possible to keep the gun in action if care is taken to prevent the latter.
(iii) Cotter working out,
Thus causing the screwed head and connecting rod to become separated. To remedy proceed as follows:—
(a) Take out the cotter. (This will be found either on the crank or at the bottom of the breech casing.) (b) Press down the screwed head with a large screwdriver to lock the cock. (c) Turn the screwdriver edgeways and insert it behind the horns of the extractor and between the face of the barrel and front of the lock flange, and force the lock to the rear. (d) Turn crank handle on to the buffer spring, press down the extractor, raise the lock and remove the live cartridge, then lift out the lock.