Field artillery materiel

by Unknown

The obturator spindle is of the mushroom head type. It passes through the center of the breechblock and is screwed into the front end of the firing mechanism housing, which fits into the hub of the block carrier. The obturator spindle is prevented from turning by the firing mechanism housing key spring. A vent for the passage of the primer flame is drilled through the center of the obturator spindle. The obturator spindle bushing is screwed into the front end of the obturator spindle and the obturator spindle plug into the rear end—the latter forming a chamber for the primer.

The obturator spindle spring bears against the firing mechanism housing and the breechblock, keeping the head of the obturator spindle tightly against the gas check pad. The gas check pad or plastic obturator is composed of a mixture of one part asbestos and three parts nonfluid oil, contained in a canvas covering. The pad is protected by the front, rear and small split rings. A steel filling-in disk is placed between the gas check pad and the breechblock.

The firing mechanism housing is provided with a firing mechanism safety plunger which is forced by the firing mechanism safety plunger spring against the inside circumference of a circular boss on the face of the breechblock. When the breechblock is rotated to its locked position, the plunger slips into a notch in the boss and permits the entrance of the firing mechanism block. When the breech is unlocked the lower end of the firing mechanism safety plunger extends into the firing mechanism housing and obstructs the entrance of the firing mechanism block. This safety device makes it impossible to unlock the breech while the firing mechanism block is in place or to insert the firing mechanism block while the breech is unlocked.

The firing mechanism block is provided with a handle, and screws into the firing mechanism housing. The primer seat plug is screwed into the front end of the firing mechanism block and is provided with a notch into which the primer is inserted. The firing pin guide is located just back of the primer seat plug and forms a guide for the firing pin as well as a bearing for the firing pin spring. The firing pin housing is screwed into the rear end of the firing mechanism block and held in place by the firing pin housing holding screw. The firing pin passes through the firing pin housing and the firing pin guide and is forced to the rear by the firing pin spring. The firing mechanism block is provided with a flange at its outer edge in which a slot is cut to receive a projection on the front of the percussion hammer. This prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin when the firing mechanism block is not screwed home. The firing mechanism block latch is located on the outer face of the block carrier and prevents the firing mechanism block from being unscrewed accidentally.

The firing mechanism block is interchangeable with the firing mechanism blocks used on the following cannon:

155-mm. gun, model of 1918 (Filloux).

8-inch howitzer, model of 1917 (Vickers Mark VI and VIII½).

240-mm. howitzer, model of 1918 (Schneider).

The percussion hammer is carried by the percussion hammer operating shaft which is journaled in the percussion hammer operating shaft housing. This housing is secured to the breech face by means of a dove tail projection which fits into a slot, cut across the entire breech face just below the breech opening. The percussion hammer operating shaft is fitted with a lever at its right end which receives the blow of the firing mechanism striker when the lanyard is pulled. The percussion hammer shaft plunger and spring are located in the percussion hammer operating shaft housing to the left of the hammer. When the breech is open the plunger is forced up by its spring, thereby causing a projection on the plunger to engage in a recess in the operating shaft, locking the shaft so that the hammer cannot be operated. When the breech is closed the underside of the block carrier strikes on the beveled head of the shaft plunger, forcing it down and thus unlocking the mechanism.

The percussion hammer lock bolt is screwed to the face of the carrier to the left of the percussion hammer. Its function is to lock the hammer in the traveling position when the howitzer is not in use.