155-MM HOWITZER MATERIEL MODEL of 1918 (Schneider)
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No. 2017 HANDBOOK OF THE 155-MM HOWITZER MATERIEL MODEL OF 1918 (Schneider) MOTORIZED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ITS CARE (FIFTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS) ...•••••••••...••••• DECEMBER 14, 1918 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 ( No. 2017 HANDBOOK OF THE 155-MM HOWITZER MATERIEL MODEL OF 1918 (Schneider) MOTORIZED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ITS CARE (FIFTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS) DECEMBER 14, 1918 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 (Form No., 2017.) The Commanding Officer or the Post or Coast Defense Ordnance Officer to whom this copy is issued will be held personally responsible for its safe-keeping. When another officer relieves him a' receipt for it will be taken, which should be mailed to the CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, U. S. Army, Wash- ington, D. C. NOTE.—This pamphlet should be destroyed when superseded by one of later date. (2) WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, Washington, December 14, 1918. This manual is published for the information and government of the Army of the 'United States. By order of the Secretary of War: C. C. WILLIAMS,. Major General,.Major Chief of Ordnance. (3) PLATE I B 155-mm. Howitzer Carriage, Model of 1918 (Schneider). Traveling Position. CONTENTS. Page. List of plates 10 Table of equivalents 12 PART I.-DESCRIPTION OF MATERIEL. General description of the 155-mm. howitzer materiel 13 155-mm. howitzer 14-20 Table of weights, principal dimensions, etc. Nomenclature of the howitzer. Description of the howitzer. The howitzer. .--,5he breech mechanism. The firing mechanism. The percussion mechanism. Operation of the breech mechanism. To open the breech. To close the breech. Misfirings. Missing of the primer. Missing of the charge. Table showing spare and replacement parts 21 Table showing spare and reserve parts 22 Table showing interchangeability of spare and replacement parts 23 Ammunition 24-28 The-primer. The cartridge. Common steel shell, Mark I. • Gas shell, Mark II. Common steel shell, Mark IV. • Semi-steel shell, Mark XVII. Shrapnel. Fuzes 28-30 45-second combination fuze, Mark I. Adapters and boosters 30-35 Point detonating fuze, Mark IV. Point detonating fuze, Mark III. Hand fuze setter Packing ammunition for shipment. The 155-mm howitzer carriage 35-57 Table of weights and principal dimensions. Nomenclature of parts. Description of the carriage. The sleigh. The cradle, Recoil and counterrecoil mechanisms. Trail. Elevating mechanism. Traversing mechanism. Axle traveling lock. The wheels. The shield. The road brake. (5) Page. Tools and accessories 58-63 Air pump. Liquid pump. Reservoir for compressed gas. Pressure-gage adapter. The filling pipes. Pressure gage. Loading barrel. Wheel mats. Drag rope. Funnel measure and funnel pipes. Sponge, staff, and slush brush. Ranamer. Sighting staff. Retracting rope and tackle block. Sights 63-72 The quadrant sight, Model 1918 (Schneider). Nomenclature of parts. Panoramic sight, Model 1917. Nomenclature of parts. Use of the panoramic sight. For direct fire. For indirect fire. The peep sight. Use of the peep sight. Sight extension. Gunners quadrant, Model 1918. Use of the gunners quadrant. Night lighting equipment. The 155-mm. howitzer carriage limber. - 73-77 Table of weights and principal dimensions. Nomenclature of parts. Description of the limber. The pole socket and pole. Wheels. The 155-mm. howitzer caisson 78-90 Table of weights and principal dimensions. Nomenclature of parts. Description of the caisson. The chest. Spring supporting mechanism. The road brake. The wheels. The reel. Antiaircraft machine-gun materiel 90-93 Table of weights and dimensions. General description. Antiaircraft machine-gun mount, Cygnet type. Antiaircraft machine-gun'tripod, Model 1918. Browning machine-gun tripod, Model 1917. Staff observation car 93-96 Table of weights and outline specifications. Brief description of body. Brief description of the chassis. Page. Reconnaissance car 96-97 Table of weights, principal dimensions, etc. Brief description. Artillery tractor, 21-ton 97-99 Table of weights and dimensions. Brief description. Artillery tractor, 5-ton 99-101 Table of weights and dimensions. Brief description. _ Outline specifications. Ammunition truck 101-104 Table of weights, dimension and outline specifications of body. Brief description of ammunition truck body. .Weights and outline specifications of all 2-ton chassis, Nash models. Brief description of chassis. Antiaircraft machine-gun trailer .104-105 Principal dimensions and outline specifications. General description. Artillery repair truck 105-107 Weights and specifications. General description. Chassis. %. Body. Artillery supply truck 107-109 General weights and dimensions. Brief description. -Chassis. Body. - Load. Light repair truck, Model 1918 109-111 Weights, dimensions, etc. , Brief description of.chassis. Brief description of light repair truck. The reel, Model 1909 MI 111-119 Weights and principal dimensions. Nomenclature of parts. Description. The cart. Model 1918 119-125 Weights and principal dimensions. Nomenclature of parts. Description. Oils, lubricants, and cleaning materiel 125-128 Engine oil, No. 1. No. 41 lubricant. Flake graphite. - Dixon's carriage grease. Clock oil. Hydroline. Glycerin and water. Slushing oils. Kerosene. Miscellaneous cleaning materiel. PART IL-INSTRUCTIONS FOR 1IIE CARE, MAINTENANCE, AD OPERATION OF TIIE MATERIEL. Page. Maneuvering the carriage. 129 Howitzer in traveling position. Howitzer in battery position. Care and maintenance of the materiel 129-136 Oils and greases. Care of the howitzer. Care of the carriage and other vehicles. To grease limber and caisson wheels. Care of the recoil and counterrecoil mechanism. To measure the pressure and liquids in the counterrecoil system. To add gas to the counterrecoil mechanism. To add liquid to the counterrecoil mechanism. To add liquid to the recoil cylinder. Daily inspection. Instructions for repairs and replacements 136-150 Duties of the gun crew. To dismantle the firing mechanism. To assemble the firing mechanism. Dismantling the percussion mechanism. Assembling the percussion mechanism. Dismounting the cradle traveling locks. Assembling the cradle traveling locks. Dismounting the sleigh traveling locks. Assembling the sleigh traveling locks. Removing a carriage wheel. Replacing the wheel. Removing the caisson connecting pole. Replacing the connecting pole. Dismounting the pintle. Assembling the pintle. Removing a caisson wheel. Replacing the wheel. ,• Removing a limber wheel. Replacing the wheel. Care of the sights. Duties of the battery mechanics. The howitzer. To dismantle the breech mechanism. To assemble the breech mechanism. Preparation of the liquid for the recoil and counterrecoil cylinders. Repairs and replacements. To dismount the firing mechanism. To assemble the firing mechanism. To dismount the elevating mechanism. To assemble the elevating mechanism. To dismount the traversing rollers. To assemble the traversing rollers. To dismount the traversing mechanism and axle. To assemble the axle and traversing mechanism. To dismount the axle traveling lock. To assemble the axle traveling lock. To dismount the spade. Instructions for repairs and replacements—Continued. Duties of the battery mechanics—Continued. To assemble the spade. To dismantle the brake rigging. To assemble the brake rigging. To remove the brake band from the caisson To replace the brake band. To remove the supporting springs from the caisson. To replace the supporting springs. To remove axle bracket from the caisson. To replace the axle bracket. Page. Verification and adjustment of the sights 151-153 Additional tests. Verification and adjustment of the sights in the field. Verification and adjustment of the peep sight. Inspection by the battery mechanics 153-154 General notes on caring for the matkiel 154-156 General information 156-158 Painting artillery materiel. Instructions,for riveting. Cleaning and disinfecting of materiel affected by gas 158-160 Protection. Cleaning. Disinfecting. Protection against mustard gas. - Transportation of artillery materiel affected by mustard gas. Repairs for field artillery materiel 160 PART III.-EQUIPMENT. Table of equipment 161-208 Abbreviations for motor vehicles. The units composing a regiment of 155 mm. howitzer materiel. Equipment. Index 209-216 LIST OF PLATES. Plate No. Faces page. 1A. Right side view 14 1B. Traveling position 5 . I. Howitzer 15 II. Breech mechanism 20 III. Breech mechanism 21 IV. Firing mechanism 24 V. 21-grain percussion primer 25 VI. Powder bags 26 VII. 155 mm. common steel shell, Mark I 27 VITA. 155 mm. common steel shell, Mark IV 28 VIIB. 155 mm. semisteel shell, Mark XVII 29 VIII. 155 mm. shrapnel, Mark I 30 IX. 45 second combination fuze, Mark I 31 IXA. Adapter and booster, Mark IIIA 32 Adapter and booster casing, Mark VB 32 DM Adapter and booster, Mark VI 32 X. Point detonating fuze, Mark IV 33 XI. Point detonating fuze, Mark III 34 XII. Hand fuze setter 35 XIII. Left side elevation in battery 36 XIIIA. Left side view 37 XIV. Traveling position 52 XV. Longitudinal section in battery 53 XVI. Transverse section 54 XVII. Gage cock with pressure-gage adapter assembled 55 XVIII. Recoil and counterrecoil mechanism 56 XIX. Piston-rod lock mechanism 57 XX. Recoil indicator 56 XXI. Traversing rollers 57 XXII. Traversing mechanism 58 XXIII. Elevating mechanism 59 XXIV. Axle traveling lock 58 XXV. Firing mechanism 59 XXVI. Filling valve with air pump assembled 62 XXVII. Air and liquid pumps 63 XXVIII. Quadrant sight (Schneider) 66 XXIX. Panoramic sight 67 XXX. 155-mm. howitzer carriage