155 MM HOWITZER, MODEL OF 1918 (SCHNEIDER)
SECTION, IN BATTERY
The counter recoil cylinder is connected by a passage to the right air tank and also to the small equalizing cylinder, the latter being connected to the left air cylinder, thus maintaining equal pressure in both air cylinders and in the counter-recoil cylinder. The counter-recoil cylinder is closed at the rear end with the counter-recoil cylinder head and at the front end with the stuffing box, through which the counter-recoil rod and its piston moves. The recoil cylinder is closed at the rear end with the recoil cylinder head and at the front end with the recoil cylinder stuffing box, through which the recoil piston rod operates. This rod is hollow and serves as a buffer chamber for the buffer rod, which is securely screwed to the recoil cylinder head at one end, the other end carrying the counter-recoil valve. The recoil and counter-recoil rods are fitted with the piston rod nuts on the front end which engage the piston rod lock plate.
The cradle is a steel U-shaped plate reinforced by several transoms and supported by the trunnion bracket, elevating segment brackets, and in traveling position by the cradle band which engages the clips on which the howitzer recoils when in action. The sleigh traveling locks are mounted at the extreme ends of the cradle and used to lock the sleigh to cradle when the howitzer is in traveling position.
The cradle is mounted on trunnions on the carriage, and by means of elevating segments geared with the elevating mechanism may be inclined at various firing angles. When carriage is traveling the rear end of the cradle rests on the cradle traveling lock, thereby relieving the elevating mechanism of the weight of the howitzer, sleigh and cradle.
The left trunnion of the cradle is bored out to receive the sight and bracket. The shoulder guard is located on left side of the cradle just back of the trunnion bracket and protects the gunner from the recoiling parts. The firing mechanism is located on the right side of the cradle and provided with a safety device which prevents the piece from being fired when the piston rod nuts are not engaged by piston lock.
The recoil indicator is located just back of the trunnion bracket on the right side of the cradle and consists of a steel spring which is adjusted by means of a nut so that the pointer bears against a scale engraved on the edge of the sleigh indicating the length of recoil. The front end of the cradle is covered by the cradle head and provided with an opening through which the pressure-gauge adapter may be assembled to the gauge-cock body. The lower half of the front end of the cradle is closed by the front transom, forming a guide for the piston-rod lock which is operated by means of a lever. When this lever is lowered the lock plate moves to the right, releasing the piston-rod nuts. When the lever is raised the lock moves to the left, locking the nuts in firing position. The locking device is protected by the cradle front cover which holds the lever in firing position when closed. The filling valve is accessible through the cradle bottom cover located on the bottom of the cradle to the rear of the front transom. The pump bracket is located on the left side of the cradle near the front.
155 MM HOWITZER, MODEL OF 1918 (SCHNEIDER)
LEFT SIDE ELEVATION, IN BATTERY
