Operation. In recoil the piston of the upper cylinder compresses the liquid, which has to pass through the spring valves and between the circular ring and the hollow rod of the diaphragm. The passage of the liquid through these different openings constitutes the braking effect. In so moving the liquid opens the valves, which are widely opened at the beginning of the recoil and gradually close in proportion to the decrease of the speed of the recoil. At the same time, the air of the recuperator is compressed by the action of the liquid on the diaphragm.
When the recoil is finished, the compressed air pushes back the diaphragm. The liquid thus compressed acts on the small cylinder piston and obliges it to come back into its initial position, bringing with it the tube.
The liquid in flowing back completely closes the valves and must pass between the diaphragm rod and the inner wall of the pipe. At beginning of the return into battery, the space between the rod and the bottom of the groove is large. This space decreases in proportion to the progress of the return. The passing of the liquid through this constantly decreasing space causes the braking which at the end reduces the speed of the return to nil.
CARE AND PRESERVATION OF FRENCH 75.
Dismountings.
| Cannoneer Dismountings. |
| A. | Breechblock. |
| | 1. | Safety piece. |
| | 2. | Striker. |
| | 3. | Lanyard. |
| | 4. | Striker hammer. |
| | 5. | Hammer spindle. |
| | 6. | Spring assembling pin. |
| | 7. | Rack springs. |
| | 8. | Rack. |
| | 9. | Latch pin. (Pawl Pin.) |
| | 10. | Latch (Pawl). |
| | 11. | Latch spring. (Pawl spring.) |
| B. | Extractor. |
| | 1. | Clow. (Tang.) |
| | 2. | Spindle. |
| | 3. | Arms. |
| C. | Level. |
| D. | Sight case. |
| E. | Wheels. |
| F. | Limber pole. |
| G. | Fuze setter from caisson. |
| H. | Luggage frame from limber. |
| Mechanic Dismountings. |
| A. | Coupling keg. |
| B. | Push gun back on slides. |
| C. | Safety bolt. |
| D. | Friction piece. (Sweeper plate.) |
| E. | Wiper. (Guide piece.) |
| F. | Front plug. |
| G. | Filling hole plug. |
| H. | Elevating screw pin. |
| I. | Elevating screw. |
| J. | Trunnion caps. |
| K. | Rocker Trunnion caps. (Half Rings.) |
| Daily Cleaning and Lubricating. |
| (By cannoneers.) |
| 1. | Clean sight support and socket. |
| 2. | Lubricate oil holes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. |
| 3. | Clean base of sight column. |
| 4. | Clean levels. |
| 5. | Lubricate range mechanism. (Holes Nos. 1 and 2.) |
| 6. | Clean and oil rocker trunnion caps. |
| 7. | Oil holes 7 and 8. |
| 8. | Clean and grease exposed parts of axle. |
| 9. | Dismount and clean breech and all its parts. |
| 10. | Clean and grease the bore if the gun has been fired. |
| 11. | Clean and grease the slides if the gun has been fired. |
| 12. | Grease the wheels if the gun has been on the road. |
| 13. | Clean fuze setter. |
| 14. | The life of a gun depends on “Daily Care.” |
| Forbidden Practices. |
| 1. | Readjustment of French Sights. |
| 2. | Fitting with files. |
| 3. | Forging and Riveting. |
| 4. | Unauthorized Dismountings. |
Care of Recoil Mechanism.