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New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.

Machine Gun Manual

By CAPTAIN H. DOUGLAS

Sherwood Foresters

National Team (England)

Kolapore Team (Great Britain)

British Rifle Team (Australian Tour)

A COMPLETE MANUAL TO MACHINE GUNNERY

containing details of

MAXIM VICKERS LEWIS COLT HOTCHKISS

together with

DRILL

(Elementary and Advanced)

Fire Orders, Notes from the Front

and a mass of other

Useful Information

ILLUSTRATED

LONDON

HARRISON AND SONS

Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty Military Printers, Publishers and Stationers

ST. MARTIN’S LANE, W.C.

For the best value in

MILITARY OUTFITS.

THE “MAXIM” Trench Coat (as illustrated) with detachable fleece lining. Made from fine quality Khaki Twill, lined with rainproof lining and interlined with oiled silk,

£4 . 10 . 0

Light and warm, absolutely wind and rain proof.

Write for complete illustrated list.

71, NEW BOND STREET, W. 141 & 142, FENCHURCH STREET, E.C. LONDON.

Contents.

FOR THE BEST VALUE IN

MILITARY OUTFITS

Service Kit for any regiment in 36 hours.

Complete! Illustrated List on request, or better still, call and inspect our stock.

141 & 142, FENCHURCH STREET, E.C.

71, NEW BOND STREET, W.

LONDON.

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The Maxim Gun.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Weight of the ·303-in. gun, 60 lbs. Weight of the tripod, 48 lbs. Weight of ammunition box containing one filled belt, Mark VI 21 lbs., Mark VII 19½ lbs.

The gun may be considered as divided into two portions—the non-recoiling and the recoiling. It is worked automatically by two forces—the explosion of the charge which forces the recoiling portion backwards, and a strong spring (called the fusee spring) which carries it forward.

Non-Recoiling Portion.

The non-recoiling portion consists of the barrel casing and breech casing, and is attached to the mounting by the crosshead and elevating joint pins.

The barrel casing is of gunmetal, holding about seven pints of water to keep the barrel cool when firing; it has three openings, one on the upper right side near the breech for filling, one underneath near the muzzle for drawing off the water, and the third (also near the muzzle) for allowing the steam, but not the water, to escape. The first two are closed with screwed plugs; the last is open and connected with the steam tube, and carries the condenser nipple.

A cork plug is provided which can be inserted in the steam escape hole when the gun is travelling, in order to prevent waste of water from jolting. The plug should always be taken out before commencing to fire, and put in again before the gun changes position, unless the condenser is attached to the barrel casing and can be conveniently moved with the gun.

To prevent the escape of water, there is at the forward end of the barrel casing asbestos packing, which is held in position round the barrel by the packing gland. At the rear end of the barrel there is a cannelure, also filled with asbestos packing, which prevents the escape of water when the gun is working, and a gunmetal valve immediately in front of the barrel block, which prevents the escape of water when the gun is not firing and the barrel home.

The steam tube consists of a fixed tube and an outer tube, termed the slide valve, so arranged as to slide freely along the fixed tube. In the fixed tube there is a hole near each end, and a third hole in the threaded portion in front, to connect with the steam escape hole which is bored in the solid part of the front end of the barrel casing. This tube is fixed into the solid end of the barrel casing, and is retained in position by a screw which, being kept in adjustment by a keeper screw, ensures that the third hole coincides with the steam escape hole. At the breech end it fits into a recess.

If the gun is fired with elevation, the valve slides backwards, and, closing up the hole at the rear end of the tube, prevents the water entering; at the same time it leaves the front hole uncovered, which, being above the water level, allows the steam to enter the tube and escape through the steam escape hole in the barrel casing. Similarly, if the gun is fired with depression, the valve slides forward and allows the steam, but not the water, to escape through the rear hole.

In the lower part of the barrel casing is the ejector tube through which the empty cartridge cases are ejected from the gun. The tube is fitted with a spring, which prevents the cases falling backwards into the gun.

The breech casing consists of two outside plates, a bottom plate which is riveted to them, and the rear cross piece, the whole being closed by a cover.

The outside plates are dovetailed into the barrel casing, and, together with the cover, are secured by means of a cover joint pin.

On the outside of the right hand plate there are the following fittings:—(1) a socket and stud for securing and supporting the buffer spring; (2) the resistance piece, and (3) the stud for the check lever. On the outside of the left hand plate are three studs for holding the fusee spring box, the rear one being on the slide mentioned below; there are also two other studs on this plate for fixing a shoulder piece to the gun if required. In both plates are slots partly closed by slides, in which the crank bearings move, and on the inside of both plates are solid cams which control the path of the extractor. Below these, and supporting the side plates, are rests, along which the recoiling portion travels.

Along the bottom plate lies the trigger bar, and underneath is a bracket to which the elevating gear is attached by means of the elevating joint pin.

The outside plates are connected at the rear end by the rear cross piece, into which they both dovetail; this piece is fitted with (1) hollow handles, which are also used for carrying oil, and are closed by milled heads, fitted with camel-hair brushes; (2) a firing lever and spring, the lower end of which fits into the trigger bar, while the upper end is provided with a double button for firing; (3) an automatic double-handed safety catch, which is so arranged that unless it is held up the firing lever cannot be pressed forward; and (4) a pivoted shutter, which, when moved to the right or left, uncovers an aperture through which (when the lock is removed and the crank handle vertical) the barrel can be inspected or cleaned from the rear.

The cover is fitted with (1) springs to ensure the extractor dropping on recoil; (2) a gunmetal block to keep the lock down when back, and (3) at the rear end, a lock to fasten it. On the upper surface is the tangent sight, consisting of a stem, a graduated plate and slide. Running through the centre of the slide is a pinion, the teeth of which work in the rack on the stem. A pawl is secured to the pinion by a fixing pin. On the under side of one end of the pawl are teeth, which engage in the circular rack on the slide.

When the slide is at rest the stud on the inside of the milled head (nearest the slot for the slide spring) bears on the stud on the pawl immediately over the teeth, being actuated by the slide spring, thus forcing the teeth into the circular rack. This keeps the slide stationary on the stem. On rotating the milled head, this stud is partly disengaged from the stud on the pawl, thus permitting a second stud on the milled head to press on one side of the V-shaped ramp at the other end of the pawl. This action releases the teeth sufficiently to permit the pawl being moved round the circular rack by the action of the stud bearing on one side of the V-shaped ramp on the pawl; this moves the slide along the stem. On releasing the milled head, the spring positions the cover, thus causing the stud on the pawl to become once more engaged with the stud on the milled head and force the teeth into the rack.

Recoiling Portion.

The recoiling portion (which is mounted inside the non-recoiling portion) consists of a barrel and two side plates which carry the lock and the crank.

The barrel is coated with copper to protect it from rust; the gunmetal valve referred to above, which prevents the escape of water to the rear, is fitted just in front of the breech end, which is formed in the shape of a block; this block has two studs, one on each side, called the barrel trunnions, by means of which the barrel is attached to the side plates.

The side plates are each provided with a hole to receive the barrel trunnions, and in the case of the ·303-in. gun, with hooks for engaging the recesses on the top of the barrel block; also guides in which the flanges of the lock move, which are enlarged at the rear end to act as crank stops; in addition each has a bearing, through which the crank passes, thus connecting the latter with the barrel; these bearings move in slots in the breech casing. The left side plate is fitted with a connecting rod spring to hold the connecting rod upright when the lock is removed, and the right side plate is fitted with a side plate spring near the barrel, to keep the extractor in its highest position when the lock is home. The left side plate is prolonged to the front, and has a recess in which the bottom lever of the feed block engages.

The crank is fitted with a connecting rod, which is free to rotate on the crank pin, and, outside the breech casing on the right, with a handle which has a curved projecting arm, and on the left with a fusee, to which is attached a chain.

The connecting rod is attached to the crank by means of an axis pin, called the crank pin, and is arranged to take the lock by means of an interrupted screw, thereby connecting the crank and the lock. The connecting rod is divided into two parts, enabling its length to be increased by inserting washers of varying thicknesses. By this means it is ensured that a firm pressure is kept on the base of the cartridge at the moment of firing, thus preventing separations.

On the left of the breech casing there is a strong spiral spring, called the fusee spring, the rear end of which is connected by the fusee chain and fusee with the crank; the front end is attached to the breech casing by means of the fusee spring box and adjusting screw, which passes through the front end of the fusee spring box, and through the nut at the front end of the spring.

The lock is attached to the connecting rod by the screwed head, and when in the firing position closes the breech. In this position it is held by the side levers, the crank (which bears against stops on the side plates), and the connecting rod, the joint being slightly above the horizontal, to prevent the breech being opened at the moment of firing. The lock has a reciprocating motion communicated to it by the rotation of the crank, and is kept in position during its backward and forward movements by means of flanges working in guides on the side plates, and, when at the end of its backward travel and clear of the guides, by the gunmetal block underneath the cover.

The extractor is moved upwards by means of the side and extractor levers, and when in its highest position, is retained there by means of the side plate spring; this ensures the hole for the firing pin being opposite the centre of the base of the cartridge when the lock is home. The upward and downward movements of the extractor are regulated by guide ribs and stops; the upper stop forms part of the lock casing, and the lower one is removable.

The feed block, which fits under the cover into a recess cut in the breech casing, is provided with a slide to which are attached two pawls with springs, for the purpose of moving the cartridges from right to left; the slide has a transverse motion given to it by means of two levers which are fitted together; the top lever has a slot which engages a stud on the slide, and on the bottom lever is a stud which engages in a recess in the left side plate; by this means the slide is connected with the recoiling portion. The feed block has also two stationary pawls, which engage under the belt and prevent it slipping backwards during firing. To facilitate the entrance of the cartridges, the feed block is provided with a band roller, and in addition has steel guides fitted above and below in the cartridge way, which ensure the cartridges coming to the exact position where they can be gripped by the extractor; they are prevented from being pushed too far through to the left by means of the cartridge and bullet stops, which are inside the feed block.

The gun is supplied with cartridges from a belt which passes from right to left through the feed block. This belt is formed by two pieces of webbing connected together by eyelets and brass strips of two lengths, the projecting strips showing how far the cartridges should be inserted; the belt is made thick at the edge next the bullets by being folded over a piece of cord, so that the cartridges may be kept parallel in passing through the feed block, and lie evenly in the ammunition belt boxes.

(Flexible steel belts are now being used. These fold into their box in sections, and by withdrawing a pin the unexpended portion can be detached and packed away immediately. They appear to be giving considerable satisfaction, inasmuch as “belt troubles” are practically impossible.)

Converted Guns.

Converted guns are the original ·45-in. guns made to take the ·303-in. cartridge.

The conversion consists in the substitution of ·303-in. barrels for the ·45-in. barrels and the adaption of the mechanism to the smaller calibre by the introduction of new parts or the alteration of existing parts.

The Mark II differs from the Mark I in being fitted with the service ·303-in. barrel and muzzle attachment for ball firing, whereas the Mark I has a special muzzle attachment and a heavy barrel. The difference in the barrels affects also certain other parts. In both Marks I and II converted guns the attachment for ball firing must always be on the guns, as, owing to the greater weight of the component parts, these guns will not work without it.

The tangent sight is graduated to 2,500 yards.

The weight is 64 lbs.

In other respects they resemble the ·303-in. gun except that the connecting rod is not above the horizontal and that there is a space of about ⅒ of an inch between the projecting arm of the crank handle and the resistance piece.

Ammunition.

All marks of ·303-in. ball ammunition may be used, but care should be taken to select ammunition of the most recent manufacture. Mark VII can, however, be used only in guns specially modified to take it.

Explanation of Plates I and II.

1. End of crank. 2. Projecting arm of crank handle. 3. Crank handle. 4. Breech casing. 5. Fusee spring } Dotted 6. Chain } lines in 7. Fusee } Fig. 1. 8. Spring box } 9. Resistance piece. 10. Buffer spring. 11. Check lever. 12. Lock casing. 13. Firing lever. 14. Trigger bar. 15. Projection on trigger bar. 16. Trigger. 17. Tumbler. 18. Lockspring. 19. Firing pin. 20. Crank. 21. Crank pin. 22. Connecting rod. 22A. Cotter. 23. Side levers. 24. Sear. 25. Extractor. 26. Barrel. 27. Ejector tube. 28. Horns of extractor. 29. Keeper bracket. 30. Side cams. 31. Cover spring. 32. Cover. 33. Gib. 34. Adjusting screw for fusee spring. 35. Extractor spring. 36. Handles. 37. Double button. 38. Trigger bar spring. 39. Gib spring. 41. Extractor levers. 42. Belt. 43. Upper extractor stop. 44. Groove for side plate spring. 45. Cartridge grooves. 46. Ejector tube spring. 47. Side plates. 48. Guides in which flanges of lock move. 49. Guide ribs for extractor. 50. Cover lock. 51. Gunmetal block. 52. Hole for firing pin. 53. Safety catch. 54. Screwed head. 55. Connecting rod spring. 56. Crank bearings. 57. Slots, breech casing. 58. Crank stops. 59. Ammunition belt box, No. 2. 60. Feed block. 61. Top lever feed block. 62. Cork plug. 63. Feed block slide. 64. Top pawl. 65. Bottom pawl. 66. Band roller. 67. Barrel casing. 68. Screwed plug for filling. 69. Asbestos packing. 70. Packing gland. 71. Cannelure for asbestos packing. 72. Gunmetal valve. 73. Steam tube. 74. } Holes in steam tube. 75. } 76. Slide valve. 77. Steam escape hole. 78. Milled heads of oil brushes. 79. Oil brush. 80. Sight, tangent. 81. Sight, fore. 82. Shutter. 83. Shutter spring. 84. Shutter catch. 85. Notch for shutter catch. 86. Screwed plug for emptying. 87. Slides, right and left. 88. Gib spring cover. 89. Check lever collar. 90. Cover lock spring. 91. Safety catch spring. 92. Tangent sight spring. 93. Bottom lever feed block. 94. Trunnions of barrel. 95. Extractor stop. 96. Firing lever spring. 97. Shutter pivot screw.

Plate I.
GUN MAXIM, ·303 INCH.
SIDE ELEVATION.

Plate II.
GUN MAXIM ·303 INCH.
PLAN WITH COVER REMOVED.

MOUNTING, TRIPOD, ·303-in. MAXIM GUN, MARK IV.

The mounting consists of a crosshead (a), elevating gear (b), and socket (c), mounted on three legs.

It is constructed to give 13 degrees elevation and 25 degrees depression at heights varying from 14½-in. to 30-in. from the axis of the gun to the ground. By arranging the position of the rear and front legs respectively, elevation may be given up to about 43 degrees and depression to 55 degrees. An all-round traverse can be obtained.

The crosshead (a), to which the gun is pivoted, is formed with a pivot to fit into the socket (c) and an arm (d) which carries the elevating gear (b).

The elevating gear, which is actuated by a hand wheel (v), consists of an inner and outer screw (right and left-handed) and a nut working within a tumbler (g). The tumbler is split and provided with a jamming bolt (h), by which the wear may be taken up. The inner part of the screw is attached to the crosshead by a chain. Chains also, for future manufacture and replacement, will secure the joint pins to the mounting.

The socket (c) is bored to receive the crosshead and is provided with three lugs (n), to which the legs are hinged; a jamming block and screw with handle (f) is attached to the front to secure the crosshead in any desired angle of traverse; the block works in a recess in the upper portion of the crosshead and prevents it from rising. Both faces of the rear lug and one face of each front lug are fitted with clutch plates having radial serrations to correspond with similar serrations on the faces of the leg joints. Joint studs with disc spring and jamming handle (s) are

Plate III.
MOUNTING TRIPOD ·303 INCH, MAXIM GUN MARK.
SCALE = ⅛
SIDE ELEVATION.

A Crosshead B Elevating gear C Socket D Arm, crosshead F Screw, clamp checking traverse G Tumbler, elevating gear H Bolt, jamming elevating gear J Front legs K Rear leg M Shoes N Socket lugs S Stud, joints, a jamming handle, front legs T Joint pin, a jamming handle rear leg V Handwheel elevating gear

fixed to the front lugs, by which the legs are securely clamped to the socket in the required position.

The legs (j, k) are of tubular steel, the lower ends being fitted with shoes (m) to steady the mounting on the ground, and the upper ends having a joint with radial serrations mentioned above. The rear leg is provided with a joint pin with nut and jamming handle (t).

On a portion of the periphery of the leg joints, numbers are stamped at regular intervals so that when read in conjunction with a zero mark the relative position of the legs to their normal position may be readily seen.

A strap is fixed to the rear leg to secure the three legs during transport.

When firing, the ammunition box is placed on the ground on the right side of the gun.

Weight of mounting 48 lbs. variable.

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.

To Mount Gun.

Machine gunner No. 1 will carry tripod into position, elevating screws being equally exposed. Cross head upright. Legs clamped tight.

No. 2 will carry gun to right side of tripod, holding rear cross piece with left hand, gun muzzle to rear under right arm. Kneel on left knee, facing tripod, and supporting weight of gun on right knee, place it on tripod, pushing in and turning down the crosshead joint pin. Remove cork plug finally from steam escape hole, No. 1 fixing elevating joint pin.

To Dismount Gun.

No. 1 removes crosshead and elevating joint pins, No. 2 replaces cork plug and removes gun as in mounting, carrying it to its original position in rear, No. 1 following with the tripod. Joint pins will then be pushed home and turned down, legs folded and clamped.

TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.

To Load.

Pass the tag of belt through feed block from right side, turning crank handle with right hand on to buffer spring, and pull belt through with left hand to left front as far as it will go, let go crank handle, the first cartridge will then be gripped by the extractor.

Again turn crank handle on to buffer spring, and pull belt to left front, letting go crank handle—the gun is then ready for firing.

Make each motion clear and distinct.

On pressing double button the gun will fire automatically until pressure is released.

To Unload.

Turn crank handle twice in succession on to buffer spring, letting it fly back to the check lever each time. Press up the bottom pawls and remove belt from feed block, then release the lock spring by pressing double button.

TO CLEAN GUN.

Mechanism.

Equal parts of G.S. lubricating oil and paraffin should be used, each part being thoroughly dried and slightly oiled with G.S. lubricating oil.

The various parts can easily be got at by “hanging” the lock as follows:—

Turn the crank handle on to buffer spring, raise lock slightly till clear of guides, allow handle to come back a little, and lock to rest on top of guides, when it will be fixed and easily accessible.

Barrel.

Turn crank handle over against buffer spring, open cover, raise lock, and as the crank handle is allowed to come slowly back raise it and let it rest upon the top of the rear crosspiece.

The cleaning rod may then be used from muzzle of barrel.

Daily cleaning is absolutely necessary for at least ten days after using ball ammunition and the bore should at all times be left coated with oil.

(A double-ended pull through may be used to remove hard fouling.)

Treatment in Frosty Weather.

In frosty weather, when water is kept in the barrel casing, a blanket or some other thick covering should be kept wrapped round the barrel casing to prevent the water freezing. The working parts of the gun should only be slightly oiled with a lightly-oiled rag. In climates where the temperature is likely to fall much below freezing point, not more than about 5 pints of water should be put into the barrel casing (25 per cent. of glycerine mixed with the water will prevent it from freezing so quickly).

MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.

The force of recoil is increased by the use of the muzzle attachment. Defects in the working of the gun are overcome by this means.

It consists of a steel cylinder with a hole bored longitudinally through it, the front end of cylinder being partially closed by a screw. Gases escaping from the muzzle of barrel are partially confined to the interior of attachment, the pressure of the gas acting on the muzzle of barrel giving additional recoil.

It is fitted by unscrewing the packing gland from the barrel casing, and screwing the attachment into the packing gland by means of the steam tube and packing gland key.

The attachment should be removed from the gun and cleaned immediately after firing, all metallic fouling being carefully scraped away.

THE FUSEE SPRING.

On the left of the breech casing, the rear end being connected by the fusee chain and fusee with the crank, the front end is attached to breech casing by means of fusee spring box and adjusting screw which passes through front end of fusee spring box and through the nut at front end of spring.

To Weigh and Adjust.

Cock the lock, place loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle and pull vertically upwards, resting wrist on breech casing, the reading indicated when crank handle commences to move will be the weight of the fusee spring. This should be between 5 and 7 lbs. (for converted Mark I Guns between 10 and 12 lbs.).

If spring is over, or not up to weight, remove fusee spring box and adjust by means of adjusting screw, six turns making a difference of about 1 lb. (Turning screw clockwise increases weight and vice versa.)

The tension should always be kept as high as possible, consistent with maintaining the normal rate of fire (500 rounds per minute).

STRIPPING THE GUN.

The gun is stripped in the following order:—

Note.—All pins are driven in from right to left, and out in the reverse direction.

(i) Lock and Feed Block.

Raise the cover, turn the crank handle on to the buffer spring, see that the extractor drops, place finger between the extractor and stop, raise the lock and allow the crank handle to come slowly back on to the check lever; slide the live cartridges out of the extractor, keeping the latter down. Give the lock ⅛ turn to the left and lift off. Lift the feed block out.

(ii) Fusee Spring Box.

With the right hand at the rear and the left hand at the front, press the box forward until clear of the lugs, and remove. Disconnect the fusee chain and remove the box and the spring. Care should be taken to throw no cross strain on the chain.

(iii) Tangent Sight and Cover Lock.

Lower the cover, putting a screwdriver across the breech casing under the gunmetal block, drive out the axis pin of the stem and remove with its piston and spring. Close the cover, press in the cover lock, and, with the large screwdriver, remove the stop screw; the lock with its piston and spring can then be removed.

(iv) Cover.

Drive out the fixing pin of the cover joint pin, remove the collar and joint pin and take off the cover.

(v) Rear Crosspiece.

Drive out the tapered fixing pin, grasp with the left hand the left handle of the rear crosspiece, slightly raise the casing and, with the mallet, strike the top edges of the casing alternately until the rear crosspiece is clear of the dovetails on the casing. Lift out the trigger bar.

(vi) Slides, Right and Left, and Check Lever.

Pull out the slides. Drive out the fixing pin from the check lever collar, remove the collar and check lever.

(vii) Recoiling Portion.

Fold back the connecting rod on to the crank, turn the crank handle to a vertical position, and draw out to the rear the recoiling portion. Disconnect the side plates by dropping them and springing them outwards. If necessary, by taking out the fixing pin, the crank handle can be driven off with a drift and hammer, and the fusee unscrewed from the left bearing of the crank; but as a rule these parts should not be stripped.

(viii) Foresight.

The position of the foresight should first be carefully marked. Remove the fixing screw and foresight.

(ix) Steam Tube and Packing Gland.

Up-end the barrel casing so that it stands on the rear end of the breech casing. Remove the keeper screw and unscrew the steam tube. Unscrew and remove the packing gland and packing.

(x) Breech and Barrel Casings, and Ejector Tube Spring.

Rest the barrel casing on a table or bench, with the filling hole uppermost, and the breech casing clear of the bench; place the left hand under the breech casing and strike the top edges alternately with a mallet, when the casings will come apart. Lift the ejector tube spring with the point of the screwdriver and tap out the spring with the drift and hammer. (In converted guns remove fixing wire and unscrew fixing screws.)

Note.—The breech and barrel casings should only be separated when repairs are necessary. Care must be taken not to strike the barrel casing, and the blows should be struck as close to the dovetailing as possible.

(xi) Lock.

(a) Release the lock spring, lay the lock on a bench, left side uppermost. Drive out the sear, tumbler, and lock spring axis pins. (b) Remove the keeper bracket, extractor levers, lock spring, tumbler, firing pin, and sear. (c) Drive out the trigger axis pin, extractor stop keeper pin, remove the trigger, extractor stop, and slide the extractor from the face of the lock casing. (d) Push out the gib spring cover, take out the gib spring and gib. (e) Drive out the extractor spring fixing pin, and remove the extractor spring. (In converted guns the extractor spring is riveted to the extractor.)

Note.—(e) should only be done in case of breakage.

(xii) Feed Block.

(a) Drive out the spring fixing pin of the top and bottom levers, drive out the bottom lever and remove the top lever and slide. (b) Drive out the axis pin of the bottom pawls and remove pawls with feed block spring. (In converted guns unscrew fixing screws and remove feed block springs.) (c) Drive out the fixing pin of the band roller axis pin, remove the collar, axis pin, and band roller. (d) Remove the top pawls from the slide by pressing them outwards. The springs for the pawls, if weak or broken, are only to be removed by an armourer or qualified artificer.

(xiii) Tangent Sight.

(a) Remove the top fixing screw of the graduated plate. (b) Run the slide off the stem. (c) Remove the fixing screw of the milled head, and lift the latter off the slide. (d) Remove the fixing pin, pawl and pinion from the slide. (e) Place the milled head, face upwards, on a bench; then with a drift, applied to the rectangular nib on the spring slide, knock the latter down flush with the face, when it can be lifted out with the pliers.

(xiv) Rear Crosspiece.

(a) Drive out the axis pin of the firing lever, and remove the latter with its spiral spring. (b) Drive out the axis pin of the safety catch, and lift out the latter, also the piston and spring from their seating. (c) Remove the pivot screw and shutter. (d) Unscrew, from the handles, the milled heads with their leather washers and oil brushes.

EXAMINATION AND TESTING.

Before assembling the gun all parts should be tried in their places separately to see that they work freely, and test friction of recoiling portions as follows:—

Cock lock, remove fusee spring box and spring, turn crank handle upwards, hold it with right hand and fusee with left, move recoiling portion, with gun horizontal, backwards and forwards, to see that it works freely and that barrel goes home. Weight necessary to move recoiling portion should not exceed 4 lbs. (converted guns 7 lbs.) tested by placing loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle, and pulling to rear when handle is slightly above the horizontal.

ASSEMBLING THE GUN.

Reverse all the foregoing operations with the exception that the recoiling portions must be replaced before the packing and packing gland. In order to assemble the barrel and breech casings, they will have to be turned upside-down—i.e., the filling hole down, and the bottom plate of breech casing uppermost—they should be positioned by the crosshead joint pin. Care must be taken that the ejector tube spring is in position before joining the casings together. When assembling the feed block the longer of the two bottom pawls must always be placed at the front. When assembling the tangent sight, it will be found convenient to place the slide on the stem before attaching the milled head; in this position the pinion is prevented from turning with the pawl when engaging the arms of the slide spring outside the lugs in the pawl.

REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS OF THE LOCK.

Should any of the components belonging to the lock become defective they can be replaced from the spare parts, without stripping the lock right down. Proceed as follows:—

(i) Sear.

Fully cock, lift the sear, and let the firing pin engage with the tumbler and trigger; with the lock on the bench, left side up, drive out the sear axis pin, and remove the sear with its spring.

(ii) Tumbler.

Fully cock, thus engaging the firing pin with the sear; drive out the axis pin of tumbler, pull the trigger slightly, and lift out the tumbler.

Note.—Care should be taken not to allow the screwed head to lift the sear when once the tumbler has been removed.

(iii) Trigger, Lock Spring or Extractor Levers.

Release the lock spring, drive out the lock spring axis pin, remove the keeper bracket, extractor levers and lock spring; if the trigger is defective, drive out the trigger axis pin and remove the trigger.

(iv) Firing Pin.

Proceed as for (iii), but do not remove the trigger. Remove the tumbler axis pin and tumbler, raise the sear, push the screwed head out of its way, and the firing pin will drop out.

(v) Gib, Gib Spring, or Extractor Spring.

This will necessitate the removal of the extractor from the face of the lock casing. Release the lock spring, drive out the lock spring axis pin, remove the keeper bracket and extractor levers; next drive out the keeper pin of the extractor stop, remove the latter, and slide the extractor off the lock casing: push out the gib spring cover, and remove the spring or gib as the case may be. If the extractor spring requires replacing, drive out its fixing pin and remove.

Note.—The serviceable components are replaced in the reverse order.

STOPPAGES.

1. Temporary.

Due to (a) Failure of some part of the gun of which a duplicate is carried, or faulty ammunition; (b) neglect on the part of member or members of the detachment. A high standard of training will avoid this.

2. Prolonged.

Due to failure of some part of the gun which cannot, as a rule, be put right under fire, or without skilled assistance.

In addition to the instructions in the “stoppage” table, the following points should be observed:—

1. If, when the cover is opened to investigate cause of stoppage, it is seen that extractor is not quite up, no attempt should be made to raise it. It should be first pushed down before the crank handle is turned over to the front, as by this means all risk of firing a cartridge accidentally is avoided.

2. When a temporary stoppage necessitates the employment of the spare lock, feed block, etc., the part which has been removed should be repaired as soon as possible, making it again available as a reserve.

3. Should it ever be necessary to release the lock spring, with the lock out of gear, this should be done with the extractor fully up, and firing pin hole opposite firing pin.

4. As the clearing of a stoppage often knocks the sights off the aiming mark, care should be taken that the gun is immediately relaid.

Note.—If the continued lightening of the fusee spring results in the crank handle stopping in the third position, take muzzle attachment into use, and put fusee spring back to normal weight (see para. 44).

Note.—Worn or damaged side or extractor levers may result in the extractor being unable to rise, or if the side levers are bent, there may either be a succession of separated cases, or the lock may become jammed.

The causes of prolonged stoppages are so varied that they cannot be set out in detail. The following are amongst the most probable, and the detachment should be thoroughly trained to recognize them and to apply such remedy as lies in their power pending a permanent repair:—

(i) Broken Cover Springs.

The extractor may not drop when the lock is drawn back, and the gun will stop with the crank handle in the first position. This may possibly be overcome by liberal oiling of the lock, but in any case single shots can be fired by holding the crank handle forward until the extractor drops by its own weight.

(ii) Broken Ejector Tube Spring,

Causing either a block in the ejector tube or an accumulation of empty cases in the breech casing. It may be found possible to keep the gun in action if care is taken to prevent the latter.

(iii) Cotter working out,

Thus causing the screwed head and connecting rod to become separated. To remedy proceed as follows:—

(a) Take out the cotter. (This will be found either on the crank or at the bottom of the breech casing.) (b) Press down the screwed head with a large screwdriver to lock the cock. (c) Turn the screwdriver edgeways and insert it behind the horns of the extractor and between the face of the barrel and front of the lock flange, and force the lock to the rear. (d) Turn crank handle on to the buffer spring, press down the extractor, raise the lock and remove the live cartridge, then lift out the lock.

(iv) Damaged Parts of the Lock, no Spare Part being available.

The gun will fire without the sear, or if the bents of the sear or firing pin are badly worn or broken off, but only single shots, and only by pressing and releasing the double button quickly.

The gun will also fire if the nose of the trigger or bent of the tumbler is badly worn or broken off, but only rapid firing. In this case the gun will fire the instant the crank handle reaches the check level, although the double button has not been pressed.

The gun can be worked as follows:—

(a) Group the cartridges in the belt, say 20 or 30 rounds each group. (b) Lay the gun before commencing to load, place crank handle on buffer spring, pull belt to left and let handle go; repeat, but before allowing the handle to reach check lever and the gun to fire, grip the rear crosspiece with left hand to control gun in the ordinary way.

If necessary firing can be stopped by throwing the filled end of the belt over the breech casing to the left.

When the firing has been stopped as described above, hold the crank handle with the right hand, open the cover, press down the horns of the extractor, draw the lock back, and, if there is a live cartridge on the face of the extractor, remove the feed block and belt, close the cover, and allow the lock to fly forward, when the live cartridge, which is on the face of the extractor, will be fired automatically. The lock can then be changed with safety. On no account should the lock be allowed to fly forward until the feed block has been removed and the cover shut.

If, on drawing the lock back, it is found that there is no live cartridge on its face, the lock may be changed at once, and the necessity for removing the feed block and the subsequent precautions will not arise.

(v) Gunmetal Valve Working Loose.

This will prevent the barrel from going home. It may be temporarily remedied by tapping it round with a hammer and punch, but it should be tightened at the earliest opportunity with the gib key, the barrel being removed from the gun.

·303–inch Vickers Gun.

Explanation of Plates IV and V.

Similar numbers indicate corresponding parts in all the plates.

1. Casing, barrel. 2. Tube, steam. 3. Bracket, foresight. 4. Gland. 5. Casing, breech. 6. Cover, front. 7. Cover, rear. 8. Sight, tangent. 9. Bar, trigger. 10. Lock, rear cover. 11. Rear-crosspiece. 12. Lever, firing. 13. Lever, trigger bar. 14. Catch, safety. 15. } 16. } Plugs, screwed. 17. Protector, screwed, condenser boss. 18. Plug, cork. 19. Guide, front barrel bearing. 20. Crosshead. 21. Cams, right and left. 22. Steps of cams, right and left. 23. Catch, front cover. 24. Pin, screwed, joint cover. 25. Pin-T, fixing, rear-crosspiece. 26. Pin, screwed, fixing, crank handle. 27. Slides, right and left. 28. Roller. 29. Pin, screwed, joint, rear-crosspiece. 30. Bracket, check lever. 31. Lever, check. 32. Bracket, elevating joint. 33. Stop, mounting. 34. Plate, bottom, breech casing. 35. Shutter, sliding. 36. Hooks of front cover catch. 37. Hole for keeper pin, front cover catch. 38. Lever of catch, front cover. 39. Grooves in front cover catch to clear “36.” 40. Plunger, front cover catch. 41. Bridge, rear cover. 42. { Spring tangent sight. { Piston „ „ 43. Grooves in rear cover for ribs on “5.” 44. Ramps, rear cover. 45. Spring, rear cover lock. 46. Spring, trigger bar. 47. Lug on trigger bar for “46.” 48. Base of tangent sight stem. 49. Hooks of rear cover lock. 50. Lug on rear cover lock for “45.” 51. Slot in trigger bar for “86.” 52. Lug on trigger bar for “13.” 53. } Thumbpiece, sliding shutter catch. 54. } 55. Plunger, sliding shutter catch. 56. Arms of rear-crosspiece. 57. Grips, rear-crosspiece. 58. Pawl, firing lever. 59. Spring, safety catch, with piston. 60. Pin, screwed axis, safety catch. 60A. Finger grips, safety catch. 61. Pin, screwed, axis, firing lever. 62. } Thumbpiece, firing lever. 63. } 64. Pin, keeper, check lever. 65. { Piston, check lever. { Spring, „ „ 66. Recess in check lever for “65.” 67. Barrel. 68. Casing, lock. 69. Plate, side, right. 70. Crank. 71. Handle, crank. 71A. Tail of crank handle. 71B. Knob of crank handle. 72. Rod, connecting. 72A. Stem of connecting rod. 73. Fusee. 73A. Chain, fusee. 74. Spring, fusee. 74A. Hook, fusee spring. 75. Box, fusee spring. 75A. Screw, adjusting, fusee spring. 76. Block, feed. 77. Cannelure in “67” for asbestos packing. 78. Trunnion block, barrel. 79. Lock. 80. Levers, side (pair). 81. Socket of side levers for “72A.” 82. Extractor. 83. Gib. 84. Spring, gib. 85. Cover, gib spring. 86. Trigger. 87. Lever, extractor, right. 88. Tumbler. 89. Spring, lock. 90. Pin, firing. 91. Sear. 92. Spring, sear. 93. Flanges of lock casing. 94. Interruptions in flanges of lock casing. 95. Slots in lock casing for “99.” 96. Bearings on lock casing for “80.” 97. Upper extractor stop of lock casing. 98. Bent of extractor lever for “80.” 99. Lugs on side levers for “95.” 100. Bush, axis, side levers. 101. Pin, split, keeper, bush, axis, side levers. 102. Horns of extractor. 102A. Grooves in extractor for “79.” 103. Shoulders of extractor for “87.” 104. Grooves in extractor for side plate springs. 105. Hole in extractor for “90.” 106. Recess in extractor for “83.” 107. Pin, axis, trigger. 108. Pin, axis, tumbler. 109. Key of pin, axis, tumbler. 110. Projection on firing pin for “89.” 111. Lever, top, feed block. 112. Lever, bottom, feed block. 113. Pins, split, fixing, top and bottom levers, feed block. 114. Stud of top lever for feed block slide. 114A. Slide, feed block. 115. Pawl, top, feed block, rear. 115A. Thumb grips of “115” and “116.” 116. Pawl, top, feed block, front. 117. Spring, top pawls, feed block. 118. Pawls, bottom, feed block (pair). 119. Pin, axis, bottom pawl, feed block. 120. Finger plate of bottom pawls, feed block. 121. Spring, bottom pawls, feed block. 122. Cup, muzzle attachment. 123. Casing, outer, muzzle attachment. 124. Cone, front, muzzle attachment. 125. Gland, muzzle attachment. 126. Screw, clamping, cup, muzzle attachment. 127. Disc, muzzle attachment. 128. Vent, bullet, muzzle attachment.

Plate IV.
VICKERS GUN.

Plate V.
VICKERS GUN.

VICKERS LIGHT MACHINE GUN.

The principal features are as in Maxim with the following exceptions:—

Total weight, ready for firing, is 38½ lbs. (Maxim, 67 lbs.).

Length, width and depth slightly less than Maxim.

Barrel casing is of corrugated steel (affording greater cooling surface).

Rear end of barrel—i.e., chamber—goes back into barrel casing, thus greatly assisting cooling of barrel where it is most essential.

Foresight is blade pattern, with protector.

No ejector tube or spring, there being an opening at bottom of breech casing through which empty cases fall. (Shutter requires to be opened before commencing firing.)

Tangent sight is 2½ in. nearer rear end of breech casing and is U pattern.

There is no buffer spring or resistance piece.

An elevating stop on outside of left-hand plate, this preventing the bracket head of the mounting damaging the fusee spring box.

No stud for the shoulder piece.

Connecting rod has an adjusting nut and washers.

Crank handle revolves in the opposite direction to Maxim.

Lock is inverted and joined to connecting rod by an interrupted flange.

Lock has no extractor spring, as cases fall off extractor when clear of barrel.

Lock can be easily stripped with the hand screw which forms the axis pin of the trigger bar lever.

Top pawls are made with finger pieces, and can be pressed down by hand to allow belt to be released, having only one spring, which is removable.

Fusee spring can be adjusted without removing box, as the vice pin of screw is loose.

Fusee has a clutch fixture, and is easily removable.

No tools required to strip lock or change barrel.

Gun cannot be fired unless cover is down.

Greater general strength, especially in recoiling portions.

Sighted to 2,900 yards.

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.

As for Maxim (page [16]).

TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.

To Load Gun.

Pass tag end of belt through feed block from right side. Pull crank handle on to roller with right hand. Pull belt straight through as far as it will go with left hand. Let go crank handle; the first cartridge will then be gripped by extractor. Repeat as above; the first cartridge will then be in chamber and another gripped by upper part of extractor. Gun is then ready for firing.

To Unload Gun.

Pull crank handle on to roller twice in succession (without pulling belt), letting it fly forward to check lever each time. Press up bottom pawls and remove belt from feed block, then release lock spring.

TO CLEAN.

As for Maxim (page [17]).

MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.

A steel muzzle attachment for ball firing is provided to assist recoil. When attachment is fitted on gun, the gland replaces the packing gland. The muzzle cup is fixed to barrel by a clamping screw, body of which lies in a circular groove on barrel, thus preventing muzzle cup from being blown off should clamping screw become loose. Outer casing is attached to gland by an interrupted flange and spring-keeper pin. Front cone screws into front end of outer casing, and, to protect its face from erosion, is covered by a thin steel disc, which, when badly eroded, can be replaced by a spare one. Gland and front cone have flanges which are grooved to receive the combination tool provided for assembling and stripping purposes.

FUSEE SPRING.

On the left of breech casing there is a strong spiral spring called the fusee spring, the rear end of which is connected by the fusee chain and fusee with the crank; the fore-end is attached to the breech casing by means of the fusee spring box and adjusting screw, which passes through the front end of fusee spring box, and through the nut at the front end of spring.

The fusee spring can be adjusted without removing the box, as the vice pin of the screw is loose. This screw is kept in position by two nibs which fall into recesses, by the tension of the fusee spring. The fusee is attached to the crank by means of a stem and lugs, and is easily removed.

To Weigh and Adjust Fusee Spring.

Take out lock; place loop of spring balance over knob of crank handle, and, standing on left side of gun, press down check lever with left hand. Pull spring balance vertically up, resting right wrist on breech casing. The reading indicated when crank handle commences to move will be the weight of fusee spring. This weight should be between 7 and 9 lbs. If spring is over, or not up to weight, adjust by means of vice pin. Generally six clicks (three revolutions) make a difference of about 1 lb. Adjust by ½–lbs. as a rule.

Turning vice pin clockwise increases weight and vice versa.

Tension of spring should always be kept as high as possible, consistent with maintaining normal rate of 500 rounds per minute.

TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE GUN.

The gun is stripped in the following order:—

Lock.

Clear extractor by revolving crank handle twice; pull crank handle on to roller; raise rear cover, place finger between extractor and stop, lift lock, at same time allowing crank handle to move slowly forward until lock is released from side plates. Give lock one-sixth of a turn in either direction and lift out.

Feed Block.

Release front cover catch, raise front cover, and lift out.

Fusee Spring Box.

With right hand at rear and left hand at front, press box forward until clear of lugs and remove. Disconnect fusee chain and remove box and spring. Care should be taken to throw no cross strain on chain.

Fusee.

Turn fusee to rear until lugs on stem are free to be withdrawn.

Ball Firing Attachment.

Withdraw split pin. Give outer casing one-sixth turn and remove it. Unscrew front cone. Loosen clamping screw of muzzle cup and revolve cup till clamping screw coincides with flat on barrel. Remove muzzle cup. Unscrew and remove gland.

Slides, Right and Left.

Raise rear cover, unscrew rear crosspiece screwed fixing T-pin, and hinge down rear crosspiece. Pull out sides.

Recoiling Portion.

Draw recoiling portion out to rear. Disconnect side plates from barrel, removing left one first (for convenience only). If necessary, by taking out fixing pin, crank handle can be driven off with a drift and hammer, but as a rule this should not be stripped.

Roller.

Remove split fixing pin, collar, and roller.

To Strip Lock.

(a) See that lock is cocked; force out side lever split pin and axis bush. Remove side levers and extractor levers and slide extractor from front of lock casing. (b) Release lock spring and push out the trigger and tumbler axis pins. (c) Remove trigger, tumbler, lock spring, firing pin and sear with spring. To strip extractor, push out gib spring cover and remove spring and gib.