Field artillery materiel

by Unknown

The compiler is indebted to Lt. Col. Lloyd E. Jones, F. A. and Major H. C. Jackson, F. A. for the valuable advice and the helpful assistance they rendered in this compilation.

CONTENTS.

Chapters	Page
I.	Definitions.	[11]
II.	History and Development of Materiel.	[16]
	Biblical references—Use by Romans in Punic wars—Greeks; Chinese use of pyrotechmy; French field artillery in the time of Charles VIII; Gustavus Adolphus and artillery in the 17th century; Louis XIV; Gribeauval’s work in 1765; Shrapnel, 1808; Smooth bores to rifles, middle of 19th century; French “75;” Period 1897 to date.
III.	Elements of Gun Design and Construction.	[27]
	Guns—wire wrapped and built-up; twist; breechblocks; carriages; traversing mechanisms; elevating mechanisms; recoil systems. Air and spring recuperators; shields; sights; wheels; trails.
IV.	Modern Armament.	[46]
	Discussions of types of artillery and their organization; missions and guns suitable to accomplish different missions; ideal and practical types for divisional corps and army artillery.
V.	Three-inch Field Gun.	[62]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description of gun, carriage, caisson and limbers; functioning of principal parts.
	Mounting and dismounting.
VI.	75-mm Model 1897 (“French 75”).	[84]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
	Care, preservation, dismounting.
VII.	75-mm Model 1916 (“American 75”).	[105]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
	Care, preservation, dismounting, mounting.
VIII.	75-mm Model 1917 (“British 75”).	[147]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
IX.	4.7” Rifle Model 1906.	[154]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
X.	155-mm Rifle (Filloux Gun) (GPF).	[160]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
XI.	155-mm Howitzer Model 1918.	[167]
	Weights and dimensions.
	Description and functioning of principal parts.
	Notes on dismounting and mounting—cleaning.
XII.	Explosives, Ammunition and Fuzes.	[199]
	Explosives—classes, fillers, H. E., nitrogen compounds.
	Ammunition—classes, discussion of fixed, semi-fixed and separate ammunition, primers, charges, construction of different types of shell, care.
	Fuzes—principle of operation, arming, classification, precautions, tables of fuzes giving description, use, etc.
	Ammunition marking.
XIII.	Care and Preservation of Materiel.	[236]
	Oils and cleaning materials; tools and accessories; care and cleaning of different parts of carriages, emptying, cleaning and filling cylinders, cleaning bore, breech, springs, etc.; general instructions for care of cloth, leather and metal equipment. Cleaning schedules.
XIV.	Fire Control Equipment.	[258]
	Sights—line, front and rear, panoramic; model 1915 and 1917 with their use, care and verification. Range Quadrant, care, use and adjustment. B. C. Telescope, model 1915 and Aiming Circle model 1916, with their use, care and adjustment. Range Finder, 1 meter base, use, care and adjustment. Field Glasses. Fuse Setters.
XV.	Signal Equipment.	[285]
	Telephones and Monocord Switchboards—description, use, adjustments, trouble shooting and care.
	Projectors—description, use, adjustment, service code for lamps and buzzer, conventional signals.
	Pyrotechnical signaling, classification of rockets, use, code.
	Panels—liaison with airplanes, signals, description of panels, panel code.
	Flags—classification, use of semaphore and wig-wag.
	Radio—Description of equipment, SCR-54 and SCR-54-A Sets, methods of operation, use of vacuum detectors, precautions, sources of trouble, maintenance, reception of airplane signals.
XVI.	Small Arms.	[315]
	Pistol, machine gun and automatic rifle—description, use and care.
XVII.	Motors	[328]
	Reconnaissance car, Dodge, Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 5-ton tractors, ammunition trucks, cargo trucks. How to drive, sources of trouble, maintenance.
	Appendices.	[349]
	A.Gunner’s Examinations—preparations, Cannoneers’ “Don’ts,” training gun crews.
	B. Tabular comparison of light guns used in World War.	[370]
	C. Table of Equivalents.	[371]
	Index.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Title		Page
Artillery of the Future		[Frontispiece]
Diagram Hydro-Springs and Hydro-Pneumatic Recoil Systems		[41]
3-inch Field Gun Breech Mechanism		Facing [63]
	Carriage Model 1902, Plan View	Facing [65]
	Elevating Gear	[67]
	Traversing Gear	Facing [66]
	Recoil Controlling Mechanism	Facing [69]
	Caisson Limber, Model 1916	[73]
	Caisson, Model 1902	Facing [74]
75-mm Field Gun, Model 1897 (French)		[85]
	Breech Mechanism	[86]
	Firing Mechanism	[88]
	Gun Carriage, Longitudinal Section	[90]
	Gun Carriage, Rear View	[91]
	Gun Carriage, Left Side	[92]
	Gun Carriage, Right Side	[93]
	Gun Carriage, Plan View	[94]
	Wheel Brake Mechanism (Abatage)	[96]
	Range Elevating Mechanism	[98]
75-mm Field Gun, Model 1916 (American)		[107]
	Breech Mechanism	[108]
	Breech Mechanism	[109]
	Gun Carriage, Left Side	[112]
	Gun Carriage, Right Side	[113]
	Gun Carriage, Rear View	[116]
	Gun Carriage, Plan View	[117]
	Gun Carriage, Longitudinal and Transversal Sections	[119]
	Recoil Mechanism	[122]
	Valve Turning Gear	[125]
	Angle of Site Mechanism	[128]
	Elevating Mechanism	[130]
	Traversing Mechanism	[132]
75-mm Field Gun, Model 1917 (British)		[148]
	Breech Mechanism	[149]
	Recoil Mechanism	[151]
	Gun Carriage, Plan View	[152]
4.7-inch Gun, Model 1906, Longitudinal Section		[155]
	Gun Carriage, Left, Plan and Rear Views	[158]
155-mm Gun, Model 1918, (GPF) (Filloux)		[161]
	Longitudinal Section in Battery	[163]
	Carriage and Limber, Traveling Position	Facing [165]
155-mm Howitzer, Model 1918		[169]
	Carriage and Limber	Facing [166]
	Carriage Unlimbered	Facing [167]
	Breech Mechanism	[171]
	Breech Mechanism	[172]
	Firing Mechanism	[174]
	Longitudinal Section	[180]
	Carriage, Left Side	[183]
	Elevating Mechanism	[184]
	Traversing Rollers	[186]
	Traversing Mechanism	[188]
	Air and Liquid Pumps	[190]
	Howitzer Carriage, Plan View	[191]
	Quadrant Sights, Model 1918	[193]
DeBange Obturator		[205]
Mark II-A Primer		[207]
155 Steel Shell Mark IV		[210]
155 Shrapnel Mark I		[212]
4.7-inch Gun Ammunition		[213]
3-inch Gun Ammunition		Facing [214]
Detonating Fuze, Mark III		[225]
Detonating Fuze, Mark V		[226]
45 Second Combination Fuze, Mark 1		[230]
21 Second Combination Fuze, Model 1907 M		[231]
75-mm Gun Ammunition		[234]
Rear Sight, 3-inch Field Gun		[259]
Panoramic Sight, Model of 1917		[261]
Panoramic Sight, Model of 1915		[264]
Range Quadrant, 3-inch Field Gun		[266]
Battery Commander’s Telescope, Model 1915		[271]
Aiming Circle		[275]
Diagram of Range Finder Principle		[279]
Range Finder, Rear View		Facing [280]
Range Finder Tripod		Facing [281]
Three-Steps in Range Finding		Facing [282]
Fuze Setters		Facing [284]
Camp Telephone		Facing [286]
Diagram Telephone Circuit		[287]
Diagram Radio Circuit		[307]
The Automatic Pistol, Cal. 45, Model 1911		Facing [316]
	Receiver, Barrel and Slide	Facing [317]
	Component Parts	Facing [318]
	Component Parts Assembled	Facing [319]
Ammunition Truck		Facing [334]

CHAPTER I
DEFINITIONS.

In the study of any subject which is rather technical in nature, it is absolutely essential that the reader be familiar with the meaning of the words and phrases which must be used in the matter to be discussed. If the subject matter is to be understood there must be a common phraseology. The reader is therefore strongly urged to perfect his knowledge of the following short vocabulary before passing on to the matter which follows.

Ammunition. A general term applied to all forms of powders, shells, cartridges, primers, etc.

(a) Fixed Ammunition. When the powder charge is enclosed in a metallic container which is fixed to the projectile, it is called “Fixed Ammunition.”

(b) Semi-Fixed Ammunition. When the charge and metallic container are a fixed unit but are not fastened to the projectile, it is called “Semi-Fixed Ammunition.”