GB190425201A - Improvements in Gun Mountings. - Google Patents

Abstract

25,201. Armstrong, Whitworth, & Co., Sir W. G., and Hadcock, A. G. Nov. 19. Field carriages.-Relates to howitzer elevating- gear which is so arranged that the recoil of the gun raises the breech into the loading position. An auxiliary elevating-gear is also provided for quickly performing the same operation. In the construction shown, the trunnions b are above the axis of the gun, so that the recoil moment may be utilized to turn the gun into loading position. The nuts e of the elevating-screws are carried by arms a pivoted about the trunnions b, and they are connected to the cradle at g<1> by jointed links f, g. Normally, the hinges f<1>, g<1>, g<5> are in alignment as in Fig. 4, but the gun while recoiling rocks a lever g<2>, which throws the hinges out of alignment, and permits the gun to swing into the loading position, Fig. 5- A lever g<3> with a spring catch prevents the return of the gun to firing position. The lever may also be used for raising the breech of the gun by hand. In a modification, the trunnions are placed below the gun and the tappet g<2> is dispensed with, the breech being raised by the auxiliary lever g<3>. The arms a may also be dispensed with. The axis pin for the sight may be carried by a bracket a<1> on one of the arms a, so as. to be parallel to the axis of the gun in firing position, but permitting the gun to be sighted while in loading position. When the trunnions are below the axis of the gun, the recoil slide is extended rearwardly for a greater distance than the gun recoils, to prevent the latter from striking the ground at high elevations.