8 inc Howitzer manual.pdf - Replica Plans and Blueprints

72283·-ls. (To lace page 25.)
A. c,.-acJ le.
B Rear closing plug.
C Adjuat.able valve _
o cov11ter rPcoi/ but'rer
E Nut" secur1ng f'e·coilvalve.
F washer do.
A liqu1d cylmdar.
B Packed Piston.
cRam .
o ThrottJe Valve.
E Th1
F Stt
G l..­
H Gla
25
After loading, the actuating lever is pressed downward, which withdraws
the forward plunger, elevates the cradle and howitzer until the
rear plunger, which slides along the elevating arc, comes opposite its
recess in the htter into which it engages under the action of its spring,
t.hereby locking the arc and cradle together.
TRAYELIXG LOCK.
(Plate \'Ill.)
A steel channel-shaped bar has one end pivoted to the top of the
right clamp of the traiL On top of the bar are two double lugs, through
which it is pinned to the cradle for traveling purposes. The other end
of the bar is shaped to fit into a bracket on the left flask, to which it is
secured by a pin, which, when not in use, is suspended on the right
side of the bar by a socket and hook.
The traversing gear must be placed at zero before connecting the
bar to the cradle. When not in use the bar is housed in a bracket on
the top of the right flask of the trail.
The bar is made removable in order to give clearance to the handle
of the loading tray when loading.
HYDRAULIC RECOIL CYLINDER.
(Plate Xill.)
The recoil cylinder and the recuperator cylinders are contained in
a steel block forming a recuperator body which fits inside the cradle
and is provided with a guide on each side to fit in the guideways on the
cradle. The body is connected at its rear end to the lug of the howitzer,
and thus recoils with it while the piston rod of the recoil cylinder and
the rods of the recuperator are attached to the cradle cap. Five parallel
openings are bored through the body, a center one to receive the
recoil cylinder, two outside lower ones for the recuperator liquid cylinders,
and two upper ones for the air cylinders.
The recoil cylinder has cut in its interior surface two spiral grooves
to rotate the recoil valve dw-ing recoil. The front end is closed by a
8teel stuffing box, which is screwed into it against steel and leather
\Yashers to make a tight joint. The stuffing box contains an L leather,
which is held in position by a hollow gland in which is placed the hemp
packing ring. In front of this is placed a sleeve, against the flange of
which bears a helical spring, the whole being kept in position by a
cap which screws onto the stu!Iing box and bears against the spring.
The stu!Iing box and cap are kept from unscrewing by locking plates.
The rear end is closed by a steel plug forming a counter-recoil buffer
which is screwed in against a leather washer to make a tight joint ana