5" R.F. GUN. SHOWING BREECH MECHANISM.
Fig. 24.
Q. Explain briefly how a breech-block of a heavy gun or mortar is dismantled.
A. The breech being open, remove the locking-nut and spindle-nut, place a block of wood against the spindle and gently hammer the mushroom head free from the gas-check pad, then remove it by hand. Pry the exterior and interior split rings free from the gas-check pad and remove them, also the filling-in disc. The spindle-washers can be removed at any time. The parts are assembled as follows: Adjust in the following order: the gas-check pad, exterior and interior split rings, filling-in disc, and spindle-washers. The spindle-washers must be put on after the spindle is put in. Then gently insert the spindle and screw on the locking- and spindle-nuts as prescribed for adjusting the gas-check pad.
5" R.F. GUN AND BREECH MECHANISM.