Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

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.

Tangent Sight and Spring.

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

EXAMINATION AND TESTING.

Before assembling the gun all parts should be tried in their places separately to see that they work freely.

Test friction of recoiling portions (as Maxim, page 22).

Assembling.

Reverse all foregoing operations with exception that recoiling portions must be replaced before packing and packing gland. When assembling lock, care must be taken that lock spring is replaced with lock in fired position, and when all the other parts are assembled. When assembling rear crosspiece see that pawl of firing lever engages with trigger bar lever. When assembling tangent sight, it will be found convenient to place slide on stem (axis end) before attaching the milled head; in this position pinion is prevented from turning with pawl when engaging arms of spring outside lugs on pawl.

REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS.

(As Maxim, page 22.)

STOPPAGES.

(As Maxim, page 24.)

DAMAGED PARTS OF LOCK, &c.

(As Maxim, page 29.)

POINTS TO BE ATTENDED TO.
────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────
│ Before firing. │ During firing. │ After firing.
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Oil │Working and │Working parts during│Bore immediately.
│ recoiling │ temporary │
│ portions. │ cessation of fire.│
│In handles. │ │Thorough clean in
│ │ │ barracks.
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Test │Recoiling portions. │ │Release lock spring.
│Fusee spring. │ │
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Examine │Barrel. │Clamps of tripod not│Unload and clear
│ │ loose. │ extractor.
│Spare parts. │ │
│Belt. │Refill belts. │Empty cases (no live
│ │ │ rounds amongst
│ │ │ them).
────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────
Water │Fill barrel casing. │Watch consumption. │Empty out.
│Add glycerine in │ │
│ frosty weather. │ │
────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────

BELT FILLING.

All numbers, also drivers, should be instructed and practised in belt filling by hand, and also with the belt-filling machine, as follows:—

Belt Filling by Hand.

One Man Loading by Hand.—Sit on the ground, with the right foot doubled under the left thigh, the left foot resting on the outer side and drawn towards the right knee.

Place the belt on the left knee, with the tag pointing to the right. Take hold of the first brass strip between the forefinger and thumb; then with the remaining fingers and ball of the thumb, hold the belt so that the pockets will remain open. Take five cartridges in the right hand, insert into pockets, taking care to avoid doubling over the thin edge of webbing. Now place the belt on the knee, and, placing the tips of the fingers on the front of the belt, finally adjust the cartridges by pushing them forward with the thumb until the points of the bullets are in line with the _ends_ of the long brass strips. Continue to load and adjust in fives, and make a final inspection when placing the belt in the box.

Belt Filling by Machine.

Fix machine so that crank handle can be worked with right hand.

Unfold loading tray and leg, the tray being secured to the left of bed plate by pin, the leg being made rigid by turning up the keeper plate on to the pin catch.

Turn the steel guide plate (on bed plate) outwards. Pocket opener must be far enough back to clear the belt.

Place belt behind roller and into belt guide. Edge of belt to be touching side of guide, projecting end of long brass strips to point away from cartridge plunger, and to pass under the steel guide.

Pawl to lie on top of belt.

Turn steel guide into position again and draw belt through with left hand until first pocket is opposite pocket opener.

Fill hopper with cartridges and replenish as required.

Revolve crank handle continuously (not too fast) until belt is filled.

(A light pressure should be kept on the belt with the left hand until the weight of the filled portion is sufficient to assist the pawl.)

The Lewis Automatic Machine Gun.

LIST OF PARTS.

1. Butt plate.

2. Butt plate screws (2).

3. Buttstock.

4. Butt tang screw.

5. Butt tang.

7. Butt latch.

8. Back sight bed spring.

9. Back sight bed spring screw.

10. Butt latch spring.

11. Back sight bed.

13. Feed cover.

14. Back sight leaf.

20. Back sight slide.

21. Ejector.

22. Guard side pieces (2).

23. Back sight axis pin washer.

24. Back sight axis pin.

26. Receiver.

27. Magazine pawls spring.

28. Stop pawl.

29. Rebound pawl.

30. Trigger.

31. Feed operating stud.

32. Safety (right and left).

33. Trigger pin.

34. Feed operating arm.

35. Feed pawl.

36. Feed pawl spring.

37. Bolt.

38. Charging handle.

39. Guard.

40. Cartridge guide spring.

41. Sear spring.

42. Sear spring box.

43. Magazine pan.

44. Ejector cover.

45. Extractors (2).

46. Gear stop.

47. Striker fixing pin.

48. Gear stop pin.

49. Gear stop spring.

50. Striker.

51. Cartridge spacer ring.

52. Gear.

53. Mainspring casing.

54. Magazine top plate rivets (6).

55. Mainspring.

56. Collet pin.

57. Mainspring collet.

58. Magazine centre.

59. Mainspring rivets (2).

60. Magazine latch spring.

61. Gear casing.

62. Magazine latch.

63. Centre key.

65. Gear case hinge pin.

66. Feed operating arm latch.

67. Magazine top plate.

68. Receiver lock pin.

69. Spacer ring rivets (5).

70. Interior separators (25).

71. Radiator casing rear, locking piece.

72. Rack.

74. Radiator casing rear.

75. Piston connecting pin.

76. Barrel.

77. Gas cylinder.

78. Radiator.

79. Piston.

80. Regulator key stud.

81. Gas regulator key.

82. Gas chamber.

83. Gas chamber band.

84. Gas regulator cup.

85. Clamp ring.

86. Front sight.

87. Clamp ring positioning screw.

88. Clamp ring screw.

89. Barrel mouthpiece.

90. Radiator casing front.

91. Sear (rear).

92. Hand grip.

93. Oil well.

94. Oil well cap.

95. Oil brush.

96. Spade grip butt tang.

97. Deflector.

98. Deflector arm.

99. Deflector arm joint pin.

100. Deflector clip.

101. Deflector clip joint pin.

102. Deflector bracket.

103. Deflector clamp screw.

104. Deflector latch.

105. Deflector latch screw.

106. Deflector clamp screw washer.

107. Deflector clamp screw stop nut.

108. Shell catcher bag.

109. Mounting yoke.

110. Mounting yoke clamp.

111. Mounting yoke bronze pillar.

112. Mounting yoke pillar screw.

113. Mounting yoke clamp hinge pin.

114. Mounting yoke clamp pin.

115. Mounting yoke clamp key.

116. Back sight elevating screw.

117. Back sight elevating screw head.

118. Back sight elevating screw head pin.

119. Back sight elevating screw head spring.

120. Sear pin.

121. Butt latch pin.

122. Mounting yoke pillar hinge pin.

123. Mounting yoke chain.

124. Mounting standard.

125. Light field mount bottom cross brace.

126. Light field mount centre post.

127. Light field mount feet (2).

128. Light field mount front legs (2).

129. Light field mount front yoke.

130. Light field mount knuckle joint.

131. Light field mount knuckle joint pin.

132. Light field mount rear brace.

133. Light field mount T joint, centre.

134. Light field mount T joint, side (2).

135. Light field mount top lug.

136. Barrel mouthpiece spanner.

137. Magazine filling handle.

Plate VI.

LEWIS AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUN.
]

Description.

The gun complete weighs 25¼ lbs. and can be withdrawn from its leather case and put into action immediately.

There are only 62 parts in the gun proper—these cannot be wrongly assembled, and require no adjustment.

No water is used for cooling purposes, the steel barrel being closely fitted with a jacket of aluminium having deeply-cut grooves throughout its length. Over this is a thin tubular steel casing, the muzzle end of which extends (in reduced diameter) beyond the end of barrel, the special shaped mouthpiece screwed to the end of barrel serving the double purpose of firmly securing the radiator in place and of directing the powder blast of each discharge as to greatly increase the “ejector action” of this blast in sucking cool air through the grooves of the radiator. The system is so effective that the gun is found to give a slightly greater velocity to the bullet than can be obtained from the same length of barrel in a shoulder arm firing the same ammunition. There is no excessive recoil and the gun can be used with or without mount.

The gun is fed from a rotating drum magazine, which is controlled by the reciprocating breech mechanism.

Shell Deflector.

The shell deflector is an attachment for controlling the ejection of empty cartridge cases. It is very readily and quickly attached, and when in position can be instantly swung back out of the way so that the inside of the gun may be examined or any part of the mechanism got at.

Light Folding Field Mount.

Is a three-and-a-half-pound folding mount adapted for general use with infantry and cavalry. The mount is surprisingly rigid, and permits of very accurate shooting. Both front and rear mounting yokes, connected through centre post and rear brace, are pivoted about the axis of the centre post, so that the gun is always free to traverse. The gun is also free to turn within the yokes, so that the sights may always be kept vertical, no matter what the position of the feet. When the mount is attached, it is often convenient to use the rear brace as a handle for carrying the gun.

Plate VII.

Light Folding Field Mount Complete.
]

To Put Gun into Action.

When a loaded magazine is dropped into place over the magazine post, and the charging handle pulled to the rear as far as it will go and then released, the gun is put into action by a pull on the trigger, and continues to fire until the finger pressure on the trigger is released, or until the magazine is empty.

Single Shots.

When the trigger is pulled once and very quickly released a single shot is fired, this may be repeated at will until the magazine is empty.

Semi-Automatic Fire.

Within the limits of the magazine capacity the gun continues to fire so long as the trigger is held back, and stops firing whenever the trigger is released.

Full Automatic Fire.

Continued pressure on the trigger results in full automatic fire, which need be interrupted only by the four seconds interval required to replace emptied magazines by loaded ones.

During firing, before the magazine has been emptied, the gun stops at the beginning of the forward stroke, in the “ready to feed” position.

In this position the action is open and the chamber empty, but firing can be resumed on pulling the trigger.

General Note.

=Before Firing.=—See to it that bore is clear, working parts properly lubricated, and that tension of main spring is sufficient to avoid missfires.

=After Firing.=—See that gun is immediately unloaded, and that bore, working parts, and bearing surfaces are carefully examined, cleaned, and properly lubricated as soon as possible.

It is especially important to oil piston head and inside of gas cylinder; and to remove oil, and replace gas regulator cup.

Burrs found raised on any working part should be removed, and any roughening on a bearing surface should be smoothed down with fine emery or an oilstone.

TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE.

The gun may be taken apart starting with the mechanism in any position, but it is best, whenever practicable, to see that the magazine is removed, the chamber empty, and the charging handle at the extreme forward end of its stroke, before commencing to dissemble. If this procedure is followed there will be no need to readjust the mainspring tension or to make any other adjustment when the gun is reassembled.

Stripping.

To dissemble gun, insert point of a bullet into slot leading to butt latch and push forward against force of butt latch spring. At the same time twist buttstock up and to left, then remove by withdrawing it to the rear. This removes buttstock group which should not be further dissembled.

Next, hold back trigger and pull back guard until clear of receiver. This removes guard, which contains trigger mechanism and butt latch.

Pull down gear casing until it drops clear of rack.

Pull back charging handle until it reaches end of slot, then withdraw by pulling it out away from receiver.

Withdraw operating rod complete and bolt complete by pulling them both together to rear until clear of receiver.

With point of a bullet push back on receiver lock pin, then twist receiver up and to left and unscrew it from barrel.

The foregoing operations divide the gun into convenient groups.

DETAILED STRIPPING.

Buttstock Group.

It is best never to strip this group, but if found necessary, the screws securing buttplate and butt tang to buttstock are readily removed.

Receiver Group.

See that the feed operating arm is pushed to the right, then pull back and remove feed cover.

=Feed Cover.=—From the feed cover the stop pawl, rebound pawl and cartridge guide spring are readily removed with the point of a bullet.

=Back Sight.=—The back sight may be stripped from feed cover by removing bed spring screw.

=Feed Operating Arm.=—Remove feed operating arm complete, by pushing forward on feed operating arm latch and then lifting clear of magazine post. The feed pawl and feed pawl spring are removed from feed operating arm by lifting them clear of the studs. The latch should not be removed.

=Ejector.=—With the point of a bullet lift and pull out ejector cover and the ejector.

=Safety.=—The safeties may be prised out of the receiver with a bullet point.

Gear case hinge pin and centre key are permanently assembled and should not be removed.

=Gear Casing.=—Push forward and remove receiver lock pin and unhook gear casing from gear case hinge pin.

Mainspring Group.

To strip completely the parts assembled in gear casing, raise the gear stop with the point of a bullet, and allow mainspring to unwind.

=Gear.=—Then unscrew the collet pin and shake out gear.

=Mainspring.=—Pushing with a bullet through the gear against mainspring collet forces out mainspring casing from which mainspring, with its locating rivets and mainspring collet, may also be removed by the use of a bullet.

=Gear Stop.=—The gear stop and gear stop spring should not be stripped, but in case of necessity they may be removed by driving out the gear stop pin.

Guard Group.

The assembled guard contains trigger mechanism and butt latch. To strip, punch out trigger pin and sear pin.

=Trigger.=—Pull back trigger and lift out.

=Sear.=—Remove sear, sear spring box and sear spring.

=Butt Latch.=—Punch out butt latch pin and remove butt latch, and butt latch spring.

In ordinary practice the guard group need never be stripped.

Bolt and Rod Group.

The bolt and rod group comprises the bolt complete and operating rod complete. These two assembled parts are withdrawn together from the receiver, and may then be separated by lifting bolt clear of operating post on rod.

Bolt Complete.

=Feed Operating Stud.=—Unscrew and remove feed operating stud from rear end of bolt.

=Extractors.=—The extractors are spring-tempered and are sprung into place. To remove, insert point of a bullet under extractor claw and push head of extractor out and away from bolt. At the same time draw the whole extractor forward until it is clear of its seating.

Operating Rod Complete.

Not usually stripped.

=Piston.=—The piston connecting pin is riveted in place, but may readily be punched out in case it is desired to remove piston.

=Striker.=—The striker may be withdrawn after punching out striker fixing pin.

Barrel Group.

=Gas Regulator.=—Lift out gas regulator key, then unscrew and remove gas regulator cup.

=Clamp Ring.=—Using the gas regulator key as a tool, unscrew clamp ring screw and remove clamp ring which carries front sight and clamp ring positioning screw.

=Radiator Casing.=—Pull forward radiator casing front, and pull back radiator casing rear which is permanently assembled to radiator casing rear locking piece.

=Gas Cylinder.=—Unscrew and remove gas cylinder, using operating rod as a wrench.

=Gas Chamber.=—Unscrew gas chamber, using, if necessary, barrel mouthpiece wrench.

=Barrel Mouthpiece.=—Unscrew barrel mouthpiece. Thread is left-handed.

=Barrel.=—Drive out barrel from radiator. This operation may conveniently be accomplished before removing barrel mouthpiece by unscrewing latter part way and then allowing barrel and radiator to drop from a height of two or three feet on to a solid piece of wood, striking on front end of barrel mouthpiece. The weight of the radiator dropping from this height will usually loosen barrel sufficiently so that it can be withdrawn by hand from radiator after mouthpiece has been removed.

=Gas Chamber Band.=—Lift out gas chamber band from its recess in radiator.

Assembling.

By reversing the operations for stripping the assembling of gun is readily and quickly carried out. The following points, however, should be noted:—

1. Be sure that gas chamber band is correctly inserted into its place in the radiator before barrel is pushed home, and that barrel is turned with gas port at bottom.

2. In replacing bolt and operating rod the cam slot in bolt is slipped over striker and feed operating stud is screwed into bolt as far as it will go.

3. After inserting bolt, rod, and charging handle, the charging handle is carried forward to extreme end of its stroke before gear casing is swung up into place and rack engaged.

4. The mainspring is wound up by engaging the rack and gear, disengaging the guard, and pulling back on the charging handle until the required tension is obtained. The gear is then disengaged, charging handle moved completely forward, gear re-engaged and guard pushed home.

5. To reduce tension of mainspring proceed as follows:—

Remove buttstock.
Disengage both guard and gear.
Move charging handle part way back.
Re-engage gear and guard.
Replace buttstock.

STOPPAGES.

───────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────────────
Position of│ Immediate action. │ Remedy. │ Cause.
C.H. │ │ │
───────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────────────
Forward:— │ │ │
(_a_) │Turn magazine free │ │Magazine empty.
│ and change │ │
(_b_) │If magazine is │ │Missfire or space
│ fixed, pull back │ │ or rotation not
│ C.H. │ │ sufficient.
(_c_) │If recur, change │Examine rim of old │Faulty feed due to
│ magazine │ magazine │ damaged rim.
│ „ │Feed arm pawl. Stop│Feed arm pawl, or
│ │ pawls │ stop pawl.
(_d_) │If missfire on │If too │Weak or broken
│ pressing trigger │ light—adjust. │ return spring.
│ examine return │ │
│ spring │ │
│ „ │If │Damaged or broken
│ │ broken—substitute│ striker.
│ „ │If correct—change │
│ │ rod │
(_e_) │If C.H. will not │If dirty—clean │Dirt.
│ come back pull │ │
│ back with wooden │ │
│ handle │ │
│ „ │If hot—cool │
C.H. back │Pull C.H. back with│ │Bulged cartridge
slightly │ wooden handle or │ │ (should never get
│ pull through │ │ into magazine.)
│ „ │ │Separated case
│ │ │ (unknown as yet).
C.H. nearly│Examine ejection │ │
back │ opening, if clear│ │
│ pull C.H. back │ │
│ and carry on │ │
or, back to│If return spring is│Clean gas cylinder,│Weak or broken
full │ weak, adjust or │ or piston rod and│ return spring.
extent │ change it │ oil up │
│If it recurs, │ │Friction in gas
│ remove magazine │ │ cylinder or
│ and gas regulator│ │ moving parts.
│ and fire. After │ │
│ firing put back │ │
│ gas regulator, │ │
│ with large hole │ │
│ to rear │ │
│If empty case is │If recurs, examine │Weak or broken
│ found, pull crank│ extractor ejector│ extractors.
│ handle, raise │ │
│ safety catch, │ │
│ remove magazine │ │
│ and empty. │ │
│ Examine rim │ │
│ „ │ │Broken ejector.
│If crank handle │ │Magazine not really
│ jams remove │ │ home, or rim
│ magazine │ │ injured, or catch
│ │ │ broken.
│If crank handle │Change if broken │Weak or broken
│ flies forward, │ │ cartridge guide
│ insert new │ │ spring.
│ magazine, │ │
│ otherwise examine│ │
│ cartridge guide │ │
│ spring │ │
───────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────

The Colt Automatic Gun

(1914 MODEL.)

Weight of gun 35 lb.
„ „ tripod 58 „
Length of barrel 28 in.
Calibre ·303.
Rate of fire 400 shots per min.

The gun will swing horizontally through a complete circle of 360 degrees. The muzzle may be depressed 39 degrees and elevated 31 degrees, giving a vertical range of 70 degrees.

The barrel, which is detachable, is connected with the breech casing in which the mechanism for charging, firing and ejecting is contained.

Cartridges are automatically fed into the gun by means of a belt containing 250, running from a box attached to the left side of the breech casing.

The automatic action of the gun is effected by means of the pressure of the powder gases in the barrel. There is a small radial vent in the barrel near the muzzle, opening downward from the bore. This vent is closed by a piston which fits in the gas cylinder surrounding the outer edge of the vent. The piston is pivoted to the gas lever so that it adjusts itself to the gas cylinder while the lever swings in a vertical plane.

The belt is inserted from the left; the lever thrown downward and rearward as far as it will go. This opens the breech and feeds the first cartridge from the belt to the carrier; the lever is then released, and the spring causes it to swing forward, close the vent and transfer the cartridge from the carrier to the barrel; also cocking the hammer, closing and locking the breech.

Plate VIII.

Gun mounted on Tripod, showing Belt passing out.

(Right Side.)
]

On pulling the trigger the cartridge is fired. After the bullet has passed the vent and before its exit from the muzzle, the powder gases expand through the vent upon the piston and gas lever, which in turn act on the breech mechanism, opening the breech, ejecting the shell and feeding to the carrier another cartridge. The gas lever, returning, under the action of the retractor spring, forces the cartridge into the chamber, closing and locking the breech. If, instead of releasing the trigger, it is held back, the same operation will be repeated as long as cartridges are supplied, producing continuous fire at the rate of 400 shots or more per minute.

A safety lock secures the hammer, the latter being also used as a piston for an air-pump, forcing a strong jet of air into the chamber and through the barrel, removing all residue after the empty shell is ejected.

=The mainspring, firing-pin and extractor= can be easily replaced.

=The mount= consists of two principal parts:—

(_a_) Saddle with toothed arc.

(_b_) Yoke.

=The saddle=, in which the gun rests, is pivoted to the yoke by means of the axis bolt, so as to swing in a vertical plane. The gun is held in position on the saddle by the gun pin, which is inserted with its handle vertical; in any other position of the handle the gun is held secure by the gun pin lock screw.

=Changes of elevation= are made by means of the worm gear, which engages in the teeth of the arc, and is operated by the hand wheel, being secured at any angle by the arc clamp.

The lower part of the yoke is in the form of a spindle, and fits in the socket of the tripod, being secured by a spindle washer and spindle washer bolt.

=The tripod= consists of a socket to which the legs are hinged. The two front ones being interchangeable, brass shoes are attached to prevent their sinking into the ground during firing.

A seat is attached to the lower portion of the rear leg, also a leather tool bag containing spare parts, etc.

Equipment.

4 feed belts (capacity 250 rounds per belt).

4 feed boxes, for feed belts.

1 leather tool bag, containing the spare parts and accessories.

Spare Parts.

1 main spring.

1 hammer.

1 cartridge extractor and spring.

1 sear spring.

2 firing pins.

2 firing pin springs.

2 firing pin lock pins.

2 shell extractors.

2 shell extractor springs.

2 shell extractor pins.

2 handle locks.

2 bolt pins.

2 trigger springs.

4 cotter pins for piston-pin.

1 piston spring.

Accessories.

1 oil can.

1 combination spanner and screwdriver.

1 jointed cleaning rod.

1 combination operating handle and screwdriver

3 drifts.

Instructions for Operation.

Attach box in firing position on the left side of mount.

=To Load.=—Push belt through opening above the box from the left and draw it as far as it will go. Let go the belt. (Never pull on the belt while the gas lever is being operated.) Swing the gas lever downward to the rear until it strikes the bottom plate of the gun. Release gas lever, when it will resume its normal position.

The gun is now ready to fire.

=To Fire.=—Hold back trigger. The firing will continue until the trigger is released or until all the cartridges in the belt are fired.

To hold the gun ready for firing, push the safety latch on right side of gun below rear sight from “fire” to “safe.”

=To Draw Belt and Cartridges from the Gun.=— Push forward the knurled head on the right side of the gun near the belt exit and draw the loaded belt out to the left. Then operate the lever once by hand, as in loading, ejecting the loaded cartridge that remains in the chamber.

=Missfires.=—Wait a moment in order to make sure that it is a missfire and not a hangfire. Then operate the gas lever by hand, as in loading, which will eject the unexploded cartridge and will re-load ready for continued firing.

=Stoppage from any Cause.=—Whether the stoppage occurs from the jamming of a cartridge, missfire, or breakage of a part of the gun, operate the lever once by hand before making any effort to free the mechanism.

If the stoppage occurs when the lever is partially retracted, push it backward until it strikes the bottom plate. Never push it forward. This will generally free the mechanism, unless a broken part stops it. If not freed, draw belt and cartridges from the gun and examine for breakages.

In case of jamming, due to failure to eject empty shell, draw back the lever until it strikes the bottom plate, letting the live cartridge and carrier descend into the bottom position, and remove shell with cleaning rod. The lever is now free to resume its normal position. In this case, examine the extractor, and, if broken or chipped, or the spring does not work well, replace it.

=Precautions to be observed.=—After dismounting mechanism and before firing is begun, a belt of cartridges (preferably dummies) should be placed in the gun and the lever operated several times by hand, as in loading, to see if mechanism is in proper working order.

=Caution.=—With the gun hot from rapid firing, a cartridge should not be allowed to remain in the chamber longer than six or seven seconds, as it may be discharged by the heat. In case it is not possible, from any cause, to withdraw the cartridge within this time, and the lever is in its normal position, no harm will be done; but if lever is partially retracted, the bolt is then withdrawn and a “blow back” may occur. In either event, keep away from in front of the muzzle until satisfied that the danger from the explosion of the cartridge by heat is passed.

To Dismount Breech Mechanism.

1. Take hold of the gas lever pin and throw the gas lever rearward until it strikes the bottom plate. Then release the gas lever, when it will fly forward to its original position. This movement cocks the hammer.

Plate IX.

COLT AUTOMATIC GUN—Sectional View

MODEL 1914

COLT AUTOMATIC GUN

showing position of Gas Lever when disengaging Barrel Lock, A, to
remove Interchangeable Barrel.
]

2. On the right-hand side of the gun, in front of the trigger, is the handle lock, which is a pin with a small projecting lever resting in a horizontal position. Turn this lever upward and backward as far as possible. Withdraw the handle lock. This releases the handle, which then can be removed rearward. The handle contains the mainspring, hammer, sear, sear spring, trigger and trigger spring. To remove the hammer and mainspring from the handle, pull back the trigger, release the sear by pulling the nose down, when the hammer and mainspring will fly out, as the sear holds them in place.

3. To remove the bolt, throw the gas lever rearward as far as possible, and while holding it in that position insert the small end of the handle lock in the hole on the right hand side of gun, pushing the handle lock in as far as it will go. This removes the bolt pin from the bolt. Withdraw the handle lock pin, but leave the bolt pin in the position in which it now is—_i.e._, projecting from the left side. The bolt is now free to be removed from the rear of the gun.

4. The extractor and firing pin can be removed from the bolt by pushing out the small pins that hold them in place.

To Assemble.

1. Insert the bolt and push forward as far as it will go.

2. Place hand on gas lever, holding it up against bottom plate.

3. Push in bolt pin from left hand side as far as it will go.

4. Then release the gas lever.

5. Replace handle, locking it in position with handle lock.

To Remove Barrel.

Take hold of gas lever pin and throw the gas lever rearward until it strikes the bottom plate, and hold in this position. Withdraw handle lock and insert small end of same in small hole in rear end of gun, and on right side, pushing handle lock in as far as it will go. This causes the bolt pin to lock slide to receiver and to hold gas lever back. Bolt pin will then project from left-hand side. Leave in this position. Replace handle lock.

Attached to gas cylinder will be found barrel lock; place small end of combination wrench under point of barrel lock and press down and out until it clears barrel. Engage combination wrench in slot in under side of barrel just forward of gas cylinder and unscrew; then pull barrel forward and out.

To Replace Barrel.

Push barrel in as far as it will go and engage threads; complete this operation with wrench until lines on top of barrel and receiver coincide. Swing barrel lock up into slot. Release gas lever by pushing in bolt pin from left-hand side as far as it will go with handle lock. Replace handle lock. Do not remove or replace barrel until gas lever has been thrown to rear and locked in that position.

To Strip.

Lay gun on right side, muzzle to left. Turn side plate lock screw to left to bring cut in same clear of groove in side plate screws. Unscrew side plate screws and remove. Place right hand on rear of left-hand side plate, press downward, and with the left hand raise front of plate. Turn gun over and remove right-hand plate in same manner. Turn gun so as to bring bottom plate upward. Raise gas lever slightly with left hand, and lift bottom plate out. Raise gas lever again and pull out slide pin. Push slide to rear until it remains. Remove retracting spring tubes by pulling nearest tube toward you and pushing other away from you. Pull or push out gas lever bracket pin, then lift gas lever and connections out of bracket. Push carrier pin out with pointed end of screwdriver and lift carrier out of receiver. Unscrew locking screw and belt guide screw in belt guide. Lift belt guide out. If belt guide should stick, push the point of screwdriver under the slide at rear of belt guide and gently pry upward. Remove handle lock and pull handle out to rear. Push slide to rear and insert end of handle lock in small hole in rear of receiver in side nearest to you, and push out bolt pin. Pull slide to front and out and then push bolt out to rear with finger. Remove safety and trip.

To Assemble.

Hold gun with slot in receiver upward. Insert bolt, front end first. Replace slide, pushing to rear as far as it will go. Replace bolt pin, pushing it in as far as it will go by using end of handle lock. Replace belt guide and screw, having locking screw engage groove in belt guide screw. Replace carrier, having flat side or bottom up and carrier dog down. Insert pin. Replace gas lever, having piston drop into hole in gas cylinder. Adjust gas lever until large pin holes in gas lever and gas lever bracket are opposite each other, then insert gas-lever bracket pin. Next place retracting spring tubes in position having slot in followers align with long slot in retracting spring tubes. Force follower over projecting end of retracting connection by pressing follower end inward, at the same time slightly compressing retracting springs until pilot at end of tube clears bracket. Press tube inward at bracket end and into hole for pilot. Place bottom plate in position by putting tongue at rear end in receiver first and flush with rear end of receiver. Place safety in position. Right-hand side plate should be next placed in position, taking precaution to have slide pushed to rear as far as it will go and the feed lever on plate carried to rear as far as it will go, so that feed lever will lay between projections on slide when plate is in position. To place plate in position, have the dowel at rear of plate enter hole for same, in receiver, at the same time having groove near edge of plate engage rib on bottom plate and gas lever bracket pin enter hole in front end of plate. Turn gun over to rest on plate, draw slide forward, having slot at forward end of slide engage end of gas-lever connection. Hold gun at rear end with right hand to prevent moving. Take hold of gas-lever pin with the left hand and swing gas lever outward until slide pin can be pushed into hole in slide through gas-lever connection, having flattened end of slide pin enter slot in side plate. Place trip in holes and slot in receiver. Place left-hand slide plate in position by the same method as right-hand plate. Place side plate screws into holes in front and rear of side plates. If screws do not enter freely see that bottom plate is flush with rear of receiver; if not, tap bottom plate gently on front end until it is flush with rear end of receiver. Screw plates together and lock with locking screws, making a quarter turn of these screws to engage grooves in side plate screws. Push handle into hole in rear of receiver and lock with handle lock. Handle lock is placed in position by inserting large end into hole with the stem held upward and then turned toward front and downward to have projection engage locking cut in side plate and until handle lock stop springs over stem. Place gun in mount and run a few cartridges in a belt through gun to see that mechanism works properly. Keep hand away from trigger during this latter operation, and be sure to work gas lever until all cartridges are out of gun.

LIST OF PARTS.

1. Handle.

2. Handle lock.

3. Handle lock and safety stop.

4. Handle lock and safety stop spring.

5. Handle lock and safety stop screw.

6. Hammer.

7. Mainspring.

8. Trigger.

9. Trigger spring.

10. Sear.

11. Sear spring.

12. Trigger and sear pin.

13. Bolt.

14. Bolt pin.

15. Shell extractor.

16. Shell extractor spring.

17. Shell extractor pin.

18. Firing pin.

19. Firing-pin spring.

20. Firing-pin stop pin.

21. Carrier.

22. Carrier pin.

23. Carrier dog.

24. Carrier-dog pin.

25. Carrier-dog spring.

26. Carrier-dog plunger.

27. Gas cylinder.

28. Gas-cylinder pin.

29. Gas lever.

30. Gas-lever pin.

31. Gas-lever connection.

32. Gas-lever connection pin.

33. Gas-lever bracket.

34. Gas-lever bracket pin.

35. Gas-lever piston.

36. Gas-lever piston-pin.

36A. Gas-lever piston-pin cotter pin.

37–38. Retracting springs.

39. Retracting-spring tube, R.H.

40. Retracting-spring tube, L.H.

41–42. Retracting-spring follower.

43–44. Retracting-spring tube screws.

45. Retracting connection.

46. Retracting-connection pin.

47. Retracting-connection long link.

48. Retracting-connection long link rivet.

49. Retracting-connection short link.

51. Retracting-connection short link rivet.

52. Stock, R.H., with escutcheon.

53. Stock, L.H., with escutcheon.

54. Stock screw.

55. Front side plate screw.

56. Front side plate screw, Lock screw.

57. Rear side plate screw.

58. Safety.

59. Belt guide.

60. Belt guide screw.

61. Feed-wheel and bushing.

62. Feed-wheel shaft.

63. Feed-wheel dog.

64. Feed-wheel dog screw.

65. Feed-wheel dog spring.

66. Feed lever.

67. Feed lever screw.

68. Feed throw-off.

69. Feed throw-off spring.

70. Feed throw-off screw.

71. Ratchet lever.

72. Ratchet-lever screw.

73. Ratchet-lever pawl.

74. Ratchet-lever pawl spring.

75. Ratchet-lever pawl pin.

76. Ejector.

77. Chamber guide.

78. Bullet guide.

79. Bullet-guide screw.

80. Cartridge guide, R.H.

81. Cartridge guide, L.H.

82. Cartridge extractor.

83. Cartridge-extractor pin.

84. Cartridge-extractor spring.

85. Trip.

86. Slide.

87. Slide pin.

88. Receiver.

89. Side plate, R.H.

90. Side plate, L.H.

91. Bottom plate.

92. Barrel.

93. Front sight.

94. Rear sight.

A. Barrel lock.

A1. Barrel-lock pin.

C. Combination wrench.

Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun.

COMPONENT PARTS.

1. Barrel.

Assembled—

Trunnion ring.

Gas nozzle ring.

Orifice screw.

Gas cylinder support.

Front sight carrier.

Front sight.

2. Regulator.

3. Receiver.

Assembled—

Bottom plate.

Front feed guide.

Rear feed guide.

Cartridge base stop.

Feed piece cover.

Closing spring.

Rear sight base.

Rear sight screw.

4. Hand guard.

Assembled—

Catches for legs.

Catch springs.

5. Locking nut.

6. Locking screw.

7. Cocking handle.

8. Guard with stock.

Assembled—

Recoil spring seat.

Hinged strap.

Elevating screw tube.

Elevating screw slide.

Slide spring.

9. Barrel rest.

10. Elevating mechanism.

Assembled—

Outer screw.

Inner screw.

Base.

11. Piston.

12. Fermeture nut.

13. Breech block.

14. Extractor.

15. Firing pin.

16. Ejector.

17. Ejector cap.

18. Cartridge stop.

19. Cartridge stop holder.

20. Sear.

21. Trigger.

22. Feed piece.

23. Feed spring.

24. Recoil spring.

25. Ejector spring.

26. Sear spring.

27. Cartridge stop spring.

28. Extractor spring.

Plate X.

Infantry Model with Elevating Gear.
]

Plate XI.

External Parts.
]

Plate XII.

Working Parts.
]

ACCESSORIES.

One dismounting wrench.
One ejector key.
One hand extractor.
One cleaning rod complete.
Two wire brushes.
One cleaning brush.
One gas cylinder cleaner.
One oil can.
One front sight cover.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The gun comprises a single barrel, receiver, guard and stock, rigidly assembled. Guided in the receiver, parallel to and below the barrel, is the piston, which by its reciprocating motion assures the automatic action of the gun. This reciprocating motion is brought about as follows:—When the bullet in its passage through the bore has passed a port connecting the bore with the gas nozzle, a small portion of the powder gas issues from the nozzle, and impinging in the cup-shaped forward extremity of the piston, throws in the rear. The recoil spring compressed by the piston in its rearward movement now returns the piston to its initial position.

In its movement to the rear the piston, which is accompanied by the breech block, opens the breech, extracts and ejects the spent cartridge case, and brings a fresh cartridge to the loading position. In its forward movement the breech is locked and the shot fired.

Feed.

The cartridges are fed into the gun on flat, tempered steel strips, of 30 rounds each.

=A folding barrel rest= is provided for steadying the barrel when firing in the prone position which will ordinarily be taken.

=For aircraft= the gun is mounted on a crutch, and the stock may be replaced by a pistol grip.

The operation of the gun requires but one man, who loads and fires. If a second operator loads the speed of fire is increased from 250 to 400 rounds per minute.

ACTION OF THE MECHANISM

=To load=, the breech must be opened by means of the cocking handle. As the piston is drawn back, cams on its upper face turn the fermeture nut a partial revolution, disengaging its interrupted threads from corresponding threads on the nose of breech block. This unlocks the breech. Under the action of its spring, the feed piece engages with a shoulder on the piston and locks it in its rearmost position.

To permit the introduction of the feed strip, the feed piece must be lifted to its highest position by pressing up on its lower end. This frees it from the shoulder of the piston, which latter moves forward slightly under the action of its spring and engages with the sear. The feed strip may now be introduced into the guides, cartridge side down, and should be pushed forward until the pawl forming part of the feed spring engages with it, so as to prevent any backward movement.

When the trigger is pulled, the piston, accompanied by the breech block, is propelled forward by the recoil spring; the breech block pushes a cartridge from the feed strip into the chamber; the cams on the upper face of the piston act on the fermeture nut, locking the breech; the firing pin is driven against the primer and the shot fired.

When the bullet in its passage through the bore has passed the port leading to the gas nozzle, a small portion of the powder gas, conducted by the port and the gas nozzle, impinges in the cup-shaped forward extremity of the piston, and drives it to the rear. As already explained, the breech is now unlocked by the action of the piston cams on the fermeture nut, the breech block is withdrawn, along with the extractor holding the spent cartridge case, which later is ejected when its head strikes the ejector.

Towards the end of the backward stroke of the piston a cam on its side imparts a slight rotary movement to the feed piece, which advances the feed strip sufficiently to bring the following cartridge to the loading position.

The last cartridge having been fired, the strip is ejected from the gun. Under the action of its spring, the feed piece, which has been held up by the strip, now descends, and, engaging with the shoulder of the piston, locks the breech open. All is now ready for the introduction of another strip.

The firing gear may be set for continuous firing, single shots, or safety, by turning the cocking handle to the positions marked “A,” “R” and “S,” respectively.

When set at “A” (automatic), so long as the trigger is held back, the piston is free to move forward again under the action of the recoil spring. As a result the gun fires continuously until the strip is exhausted or the trigger released.

When set at “R” (repetition), a separate pull of the trigger is required for each shot, as the sear engages with the piston each time the latter recoils, thus stopping the firing.

When set at “S” (safety) the trigger is locked, and cannot be pulled back. As a result the gun cannot be fired.

TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE THE GUN.

1st.—Close breech.

(_a_) Lift feed piece to its highest position by pressing up on its
lower end as for loading. This releases shoulder of piston
from feed piece and allows it to move forward slightly and
rest on the sear.

(_b_) Pull trigger, cocking handle being set at “R” or “A.” As this
releases sear, the piston is propelled forward by recoil
spring and breech closed as when firing.

2nd.—Remove cocking handle.

(_a_) Throw cocking handle knob to left, slightly past vertical and
against stop.

(_b_) Draw cocking handle back about ½ inch and then throw knob to
right as far as possible to an angle of about 45 degrees. By
this movement cocking handle is released from piston.

(_c_) Withdraw cocking handle to rear.

3rd.—Remove guard.

(_a_) Unscrew locking screws on left side of receiver three turns.