Machine gun manual

Telephone 11596 CENTRAL MAXIMS Makers of Good Clothes Telephone 990 MAYFAIR

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.

Maxim Gun.	Page
	General description	5
	Plates and list of parts	11
	To mount and dismount	16
	„ load and unload	16
	„ clean	17
	Muzzle attachment	18
	Fusee spring	18
	Stripping and assembling	19
	Examination and testing	21
	Stoppages	23

Vickers’ Light Gun.
	Plates and list of parts	31
	Special features	35
	To mount and dismount	36
	„ load and unload	36
	„ clean	36
	Muzzle attachment	37
	Fusee spring	37
	Stripping and assembling	38
	Stoppages	39
	Examination and testing	39
	Points to be attended to (Maxim and Vickers’)	40
	Belt filling	40

Lewis Automatic Gun.
	Plates and list of parts	43
	Description	47
	To load and unload	49
	Stripping and assembling	50
	Stoppages	53

Colt Automatic Gun.
	Description	55
	To load and unload	58
	Stoppages	59
	Stripping and assembling	62
	Plates and list of parts	65

Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun.
	Component parts and plates	67
	General description	71
	Action of the mechanism	71
	To strip and assemble the gun	73
	Points to be attended to before firing	78
	Rapid change of barrel in the field	80
	Stoppages	82
	Cleaning and care	83
	Feed strip filling machine	83

General.
	Duties	85
	Section drill (with and without transport)	86
	Elementary tests	90
	Machine gun characteristics	90
	Fire direction	91
	Fire orders	93
	Signals	94
	War establishment	95
	General machine gun course	97
	Notes from overseas	100
	Points to remember	100
	Choice of gun position	100
	Employment of machine guns	100
	Occupation of positions	102
	Trench work	106
	In action	107
	Village fighting	109
	Attack on entrenched position	110
	Co-operation 112,	118
	Targets and ranges	112
	Guns brigaded in action	115
	Indication and recognition	116
	Observation of fire	117
	Ammunition supply	119
	Mechanical troubles	119
	Pack transport	120
	Training in billets	121
	Painting of guns	122

	£	s.
Service Tunic	3	3
Slacks	1	1
Bedford Cord Breeches	2	2
British Warm (fleece lined).	3	3
Sam Browne Belt (complete)	2	2

“He sent home a Snapshot!”

How many tender voices have said this, with absolute joy? Arthur Brisbane said: “A photograph can speak a million words!” EVERY soldier should own a little camera. EVERY army-man can photograph, and the snapshot records may be PRICELESS in days to come. Our new List of Cameras at prices 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. below makers’ prices FREE, from the Firm with 40 years’ Reliable Reputation for honest photographic dealing. Send post card for Big List to-day. (Cameras taken in exchange or bought for CASH.)

✥ ✥ ✥

43 years’ service.

SANDS, HUNTER & CO., LTD.

37, Bedford St., Strand, W.C.

The Specialists in Photographic Apparatus.

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 6the 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 7supporting 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.

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 9of 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 10is 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.

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.

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

16fixed 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.

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

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 17as 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.

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.

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.

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.

Treatment in Frosty Weather.

In frosty weather, when water is kept in the barrel casing, a blanket or some other thick covering should be 18kept 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 19turns 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.

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.

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.

(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 21extractor 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.)

(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, 22backwards 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.

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.

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.

242. 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.

TABLE OF STOPPAGES.
I.	II.	III.	IV.
Position of crank handle and its indication.	Immediate action.	Probable cause.	Prevention of recurrence.

FIRST	(i) Turn the crank handle on to the buffer spring, pull the belt to the left front, and let go the crank handle.	The extractor has not dropped. This may be due to:—
Indication. The lock is unable to come back far enough to allow the extractor to drop.	(a) Too heavy fusee spring.
(ii) If failure recurs, lighten fusee spring by three “turns.”	(b) Excessive friction, due to want of oil; grit or tight pockets in the belt, or excessive packing in cannelure or packing gland.	(b) Clean and oil working parts. Examine the belt, which should be dried if damp; or if the stoppage is due to a new or stiff belt, the pockets should be plugged. If due to excessive packing, examine and repack cannelure or packing gland.
		(c) Partial loss of the force of the explosion due to—
		(i) Worn barrel.
		(ii) Defective ammunition.	(c) (i) The barrel should be examined at the first opportunity, and if much worn in the lead should be changed.

25SECOND.	(i) Force the crank handle on to the buffer spring. Open the cover and examine the cartridge on the face of the extractor. If a damaged cartridge, or an undamaged cartridge with the front portion of a separated case adhering to it, clear the face of the extractor and re-load.	(i) (a) Damaged cartridge. The cartridge is unable to enter the chamber completely, although it has commenced to do so.
Indication. The lock is unable to go fully home after recoil.	(b) Separated case with front portion adhering to undamaged cartridge.
	(ii) If an undamaged cartridge with no front portion of separated case adhering to it is found on the face of the extractor, clear the face of the extractor and replace the lock, keeping the crank handle on the buffer spring. Take the clearing plug (seeing that the centre pin is back) and insert it into the chamber. Push the pin well home by allowing the lock to go forward. Then keeping a firm pressure on the crank handle, give the clearing plug a rocking motion; withdraw the lock; lever back the handle of the clearing plug, withdraw it (seeing that the front portion of the separated case is on the clearing plug) and re-load.	(ii) Separated case. The front portion of the case causes an obstruction and prevents the next cartridge from going into the chamber.	(b) If a succession of separated cases occur the connecting rod must be lengthened. (See para. 82.)

26THIRD.
Indication. The extractor is unable to rise to its highest position. If the feed block slide is jammed, there is a fault in feed.	(i) Strike the crank handle on to check lever by a glancing blow with the palm of the hand. If failure recurs, strengthen the fusee spring by three turns.	(i) (a) Too light fusee spring.	(i) (b) Clean and oil working parts.
(b) Excessive friction.
	Note.—If the continued strengthening of the fusee spring results in the crank handle stopping in the first position, change the lock, putting the fusee spring back to normal; if failure recurs take muzzle attachment into use. (See para. 44.)
	(ii) If (i) fails, slightly raise the crank handle, pull the belt to the left front, let go the crank handle, and then strike it down on the check lever.	(ii) A cartridge is fed up slightly crossways, or a long brass strip is bent.	(ii) Carefully examine the belt.
	(iii) A. If (i) and (ii) fail, examine feed block slide. If jammed, No. 1 holds up the crank handle and opens the cover. No. 2, with the assistance of No. 1, removes the feed block, and replaces it by the spare one. Meanwhile No. 1 forces down the horns of the extractor, and places the crank handle on the buffer spring. As soon as the spare feed block is in position, No. 1 closes the cover and pulls the top cartridge of a fresh belt into position and lets go the crank handle.	(iii) A. (1) Badly filled belt, or a belt with worn or loose pockets. The cartridges projecting unevenly from the belt prevent it entering or passing freely through the feed block.	(iii) A. (1) Carefully examine the new belt.
27	(iii) A. (2) Belt box not being in line with the feed block; the belt does not lead up correctly to the feed block and becomes jammed.	(iii) A. (2) See that the new belt box is in line.
	Note.—The effect of a fault in feed is that the top pawls, being engaged behind a cartridge in the belt, are held fast when some obstruction, such as above, prevents the belt from passing freely through the feed block. The recoiling portions, being connected by the top and bottom levers to the slide, are arrested and prevented from going home. The distance they are held back depends upon the point at which the obstruction asserts itself.
	(iii) B. If free, No. 1 opens the cover. No. 2 forces down the horns of the extractor. No. 1 clears the face of the extractor, and changes the lock. He removes the cartridge in positioning the feed block and re-loads.	(iii) B. (1) Damaged cartridge grooves.
	(2) Broken gib spring.
	(3) Broken gib. In these cases the extractor is prevented from rising to its highest position. It may be necessary sometimes to slide the cartridge or the empty case upwards, when clearing the face of the extractor.
	(4) Thick-rimmed cartridge.
		Note.—If it is apparent that the stoppage is due to a thick-rimmed cartridge, it will not be necessary to change the lock.

28FOURTH.	(a) Turn the crank handle on to the buffer spring, pull the belt to the left front, and let go the crank handle.	(a) (1) No cartridge in the chamber.
Indication. That there has been no explosion, or, if any, that there has been little or no recoil, the lock remaining in its forward position.	(2) Defective ammunition.
(b) If (a) fails, place the crank handle on to the buffer spring twice, change the lock, and re-load.	(b) (1) Broken or damaged firing pin.
(2) Broken lock spring.

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 29found 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:—

(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.

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, 30and, 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.

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

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.)

36An elevating stop on outside of left-hand plate, this preventing the bracket head of the mounting damaging the fusee spring box.

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.

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

STOPPAGES.

DAMAGED PARTS OF LOCK, &c.

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.

40
POINTS TO BE ATTENDED TO.
	Before firing.	During firing.	After firing.
Oil	Working and recoiling portions.	Working parts during temporary cessation of fire.	Bore immediately.
	In handles.		Thorough clean in barracks.
Test	Recoiling portions.		Release lock spring.
	Fusee spring.
Examine	Barrel.	Clamps of tripod not loose.	Unload and clear 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.

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.

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.

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

(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.)

LIST OF PARTS.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

51Back 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.

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.

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

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.

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.—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 53or 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.

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.

STOPPAGES.

(1914 MODEL.)

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.

57On 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 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.

Accessories.

Instructions for Operation.

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.

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.

59Stoppage 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.

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 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.

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. 64Next 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.

COMPONENT PARTS.

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, 72disengaging 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.

73When 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.

ASSEMBLING.

1st.—Mount in order the following parts: fermeture nut, barrel nut, hand guard, barrel, ejector, spring and cap, feed piece, feed piece spring.

2nd.—Assemble the trigger, sear and sear spring, and then mount them in guard.

4th.—Insert recoil spring in piston and push forward, allowing a few inches to project to rear of receiver.

In order to replace a defective extractor or firing pin proceed as follows:—

The extractor and extractor spring can also be removed without stripping gun as follows:—

Replace defective part by a spare, cock the gun and withdraw empty cartridge case.

4. Oil mechanism. A moderate quantity of oil will suffice. It is useless to flood the mechanism. As the essential parts are sufficiently accessible through the ejection slot and by opening the feed piece cover, dismounting is not necessary.

5. Test action of both ejector and cartridge stop by pushing on their points. They should work freely, their springs being elastic but without stiffness.

6. Test action of mechanism by rapidly opening and closing breech several times. It should work freely and smoothly.

OPERATING THE GUN.

In firing, the prone position will be taken ordinarily, the barrel rest being used to steady the gun.

In high grass or under conditions where more height is desirable, ammunition boxes may be placed under the barrel rest so as to increase height.

In short, any sort of rest available may be used, for instance, the top of a parapet or the limb of a tree.

(5) Loading is ordinarily performed by a second operator, who takes the prone position to the right of gun, with ammunition conveniently at hand.

N.B.—If gun is operated by but one man, loading will be found more convenient if the elevating mechanism is not used; the firer performs both operations of lifting the feed piece and introducing the strip with the right hand, the left hand meanwhile steadying the gun by grasping the stock.

N.B.—The trigger must be released at the end of each strip, so that the sear will hold the piston at the cocked position during the introduction of the following strip. Otherwise, as soon as the feed piece is raised preparatory to loading the breech will close, necessitating recocking the gun before continuous firing.

(7) Unloading.—In order to remove a partially spent strip, proceed as follows:—

N.B.—As a live cartridge never remains in the chamber the mere presence or absence of the strip shows whether the gun is loaded.

RAPID CHANGE OF BARREL IN THE FIELD.

In prolonged firing it is sometimes desirable to replace a hot barrel by a fresh one, so as to allow the former to cool.

This operation, which is performed without dismounting any part of the mechanism, requires some 10 to 15 seconds.

The firer unscrews the locking nut one-sixth of a turn with the right hand, using the dismounting wrench.

While the second operator grasps the legs of the barrel rest, quite near the barrel, No. 1 separates the barrel from the receiver by drawing the latter to the rear.

Resting the butt on the ground No. 1 now mounts the fresh barrel and pushes it home.

Meanwhile No. 2 handles the hot barrel by means of the barrel rest, which he then detaches as follows:—

COOLING BARREL.

To reduce wear of rifling, the barrel should be kept cool if circumstances allow.

Water is not harmful, and when available may be copiously applied to barrel by means of a sponge or rag.

A hot barrel may be dipped in water, but all traces of latter must be removed from barrel bore and gas cylinder, by blowing through same, by means of cleaning rod, or by firing two or three loose cartridges.

Until all water is blown out of gas cylinder, the gas pressure may be insufficient for ensuring automatic action.

USE OF THE REGULATOR.

In order that the working of the gun may be regular, sufficient power must be available to ensure complete recoil of the piston. The amount of power necessary must vary because of insufficient oiling, dust, or fouling in the mechanism, &c. Then, again, pressure of the powder gases may vary because of temperature, deteriorated powder, or badly worn rifling.

The regulator affords means of varying the power which works the gun. Under normal conditions it should be set at 25.

To test the automatic action, fire several shots with regulator set at 25 and cocking handle at “R,” and observe:—

82If these three points are not satisfactory it may be concluded that there is a lack of power, and regulator should be screwed up from 5 to 10 divisions.

On the other hand, too much power is not desirable, as the vibration due to the violent action of the mechanism necessarily affects accuracy.

ACCIDENTAL STOPPAGES IN THE AUTOMATIC ACTION OF THE GUN.

STOPPAGES AND THEIR REMEDIES.

The strip was probably not pushed completely home before trigger was pulled. Always push forward strip until pawl catches, so that both strip and cartridge are positively held in loading position.

N.B.—A loose primer falling into the mechanism may cause repeated missfires. Dismount the piston and breech block so as to remove primer, which will usually be found either in the piston cams or in the fermeture nut near the entrance to the chamber.

Missfires may be also due to a weakened recoil spring. In this case replace the spring with a spare.

The cartridge jams at entrance to the chamber when being pushed forward by breech block. The bullet of 83the cartridge in question may have been imperfectly seated due to defective crimping, or the cartridge insufficiently held by the clips of the feed strip.

Another cause of bad introduction is incomplete feeding due to lack of power. In this case screw up the regulator 3 to 10 divisions.

CLEANING AND CARE.

This arm requires the same care as the service rifle. It must be kept clean and free from rust, and all parts lightly oiled. No gritty substances or emery should be used.

As soon after firing as practicable the barrel should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled, particular attention being paid to the chamber.

The gas cylinder should be kept free from fouling by means of the cleaner so that the regulator can be easily screwed up without using the dismounting wrench.

When the gun is not in use the breech should be kept closed so as to avoid weakening the recoil spring.

FEED STRIPS.

The feed strips hold 30 rounds each. There are three rows of clips which hold the cartridge near the base, the middle and at the neck. A stop lug which catches behind the head of the cartridge case prevents longitudinal motion.

FEED STRIP FILLING MACHINE.

The feed strip filling machine is constructed for clamping to a bench or plank, as, for instance, the lid of a cartridge box.

84The machine must be so placed that the crank can be conveniently turned with the right hand.

This machine is operated most efficiently by two men. One supplies the machine with feed strips, turns the crank, and removes filled feed strips; the other supplies the hopper with cartridges.

N.B.—The feed strips may also be readily filled by hand; care should be taken that the rims of all cartridges bear back against their stop lugs.

RE-SIZING THE FEED STRIPS.

When the feed strips have been used repeatedly, the middle clips sometimes lose their curvature to such an extent that the cartridges are not firmly held. This is quickly remedied by passing the strips through the re-sizing tool so as to restore the middle clips to their original form.

As a rule, very little re-sizing is necessary, slight contact between the re-sizing roller and the top of the middle clip sufficing.

DUTIES.
(Referring mainly to the Maxim and Vickers’ Guns.)

Section Officer.

Sergeant.

Be prepared to take command in the event of the officer becoming a casualty; in fact, act as the officer’s understudy.

Corporal.

No. 2.

Assists No. 1 at the gun, carries it into action and mounts it with the assistance of No. 1.

Nos. 3 and 4.

No. 3 takes first supply to the gun assisted by No. 4 and arranges that spare parts wallet is brought up to gun position.

No. 5—Scout.

No. 6—Range taker.

Drivers.

Remain with wagons and must act on signal from the officer. They should be taught to fill belts by hand or machine and to act as ammunition carriers.

SECTION DRILL (WITH TRANSPORT).

Drill with Limbered Wagons.

The detachment will be formed up in two ranks six paces in rear of the wagon, facing outwards.

On the command or signal “Action,” the driver dismounts and stands to his horses. The sergeant and Nos. 5 and 6 double out to the section officer. The corporal lowers the tail-board and superintends the unpacking. The remaining numbers ground arms on the word of command of the senior number, and fall out to the wagon to perform the duties detailed above.

87The corporal selects a suitable covered position for the limbered wagon, if necessary.

On the command or signal “Dismount guns,” the procedure for unpacking is reversed, and when completed, detachments fall in and take up arms by word of command.

Drill with Pack Transport.

On the command “Prepare for action,” Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 8 will link their mules to those immediately in front of them.

Nos. 7 and 8 will lead Nos. 1 and 4 mules. Nos. 1 and 2 will march on the tripod and gun sides respectively of No. 1 mule and loosen straps. Nos. 3 and 4 will march on either side of No. 2 mule.

On the command or signal “Action,” No. 1 will off-load the tripod and No. 2 the gun; No. 3 will off-load the leading ammunition animal.

The corporal will select a suitable covered position for the pack animals. The other duties of the various numbers are as on pages .

On the command or signal “Stand to,” Nos. 1, 2 and 3 will reverse the actions of off-loading. The detachment will then form up for marching.

SECTION DRILL (WITHOUT TRANSPORT).

Guns, tripods and ammunition boxes will be placed on the ground, muzzles to the front and in line, legs to rear, straps round rear legs buckled, clamps sufficiently tight to prevent legs from hanging loose when tripod is lifted. Traversing clamp sufficiently loose to enable gun to be deflected by a sharp tap with the hand on rear crosspiece, guns on right and not closer to each other than eight paces, ammunition boxes three paces in rear.

Fall in.—Detachment for the two guns will “fall in” in two ranks, five paces in front of the interval between guns, sergeant on left of front rank, corporal covering him in rear.

Take Post.—Detachments turn outwards and double to their respective guns (sergeant and corporal on outer 88flanks, where they can superintend). Nos. 1 and 2 fall in on left of tripod; No. 3 on left of ammunition box. (If ground suitable these numbers should lie down.)

Mount Gun.—No. 1 picks up tripod, having previously seen that both elevating screws are exposed the same distance, carries and places it in position indicated. In adjusting, he must ensure that crosshead and sights are upright, and legs clamped tight. No. 2 should so time his advance that he will arrive immediately the tripod is adjusted. He will carry gun to right side of tripod, holding rear crosspiece with left hand, gun muzzle to rear under right arm. Kneels on left knee, facing tripod, and supporting weight of gun on right knee, places it on tripod, drives in and turns down crosshead joint pin, and removes cork plug from steam escape hole.

No. 3 when he sees gun nearly mounted, will carry ammunition box forward and place it within reach of No. 2. He then retires to a position not immediately in rear of the gun.

Load.—No. 1 raises tangent sight, No. 2 passes tag of belt through feed block. No. 1 turns crank handle on to buffer spring, pulls belt to left front as far as it will go, and lets go crank handle, releases strain on belt, then turns crank handle on to buffer spring, again pulls belt to left front and lets go belt and crank handle. The gun is now ready to fire.

Single Shot Loading.—Carry out first half of loading motions, then, without touching belt, turn crank handle on to buffer spring and let go.

800 (Range).—No. 1 repeats the order and adjusts slide to elevation required.

At (Object).—No. 2 adjusts traversing clamp if ordered to by No. 1, who lays the gun, raises automatic safety catch with forefinger and prepares to fire.

Traversing Fire.—No. 1 will lay gun on flank named, press button, and tap alternately, with the hand, on the rear crosspiece in the required direction, until limit is reached.

Unload.—No. 1 lowers the sight (not the slide), turns the crank handle twice in succession on to buffer spring, letting it fly back each time on to the check lever; then presses up finger pieces on bottom pawls, No. 2 withdrawing and repacking belt in box. No. 1 clears ejector tube and lock, and releases lock spring by pressing double button.

Dismount Gun.—No. 1 removes crosshead and elevating joint pins. No. 2 replaces cork plug, passes ammunition box to No. 3, and removes gun to its original position in rear, No. 1 following with tripod, joint pins will then be pushed home, legs folded and clamped.

Prone Position.

Mount Gun.—No. 1 crawls into position, pushing tripod forward with right hand, having first adjusted front legs by turning it over and moving legs round so that they remain in a slightly backward position over the elevating wheel.

When in the position ordered for mounting, he turns legs down and adjusts so as to secure a low, upright position of the crosshead.

No. 2 will then move into position, on his back, carrying the gun across his body, muzzle to the front. On reaching tripod he will push muzzle towards No. 1 who will assist in mounting, and insert crosshead joint pin, No. 2 inserting elevating joint pin and removing cork plug.

No. 1 will then turn into position for firing, supporting himself against the legs of No. 2.

Out of Action.—No. 1 will unload, Nos. 1 and 2 (in prone position) will take hold of rear leg (No. 1 with right hand, No, 2 with left), and draw gun out of action until under cover, when gun will be dismounted in the usual manner; No. 2 having drawn ammunition box back with the gun.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MACHINE GUN.

The fact that the gun is mounted upon a platform and the personal factor thus reduced, results in a close grouping of fire, and practically the same results are obtained in war as in peace, the beaten zone being about half the area of that of rifle fire. This gives the following advantages:—

Narrow frontage (a machine gun only occupying the same frontage as two infantrymen).

No. of Test.	Nature of Test, with Commands.	Standard Time.	Remarks.
I.	To erect tripod and mount gun. “Mount Gun.”	20 sec.
II.	To load the gun. “Load.”	5 sec.	All motions distinct. No slurring.
III.	To adjust sights and lay gun “At ... (Range) ... Object ...”	12 sec.	From range being ordered until No. 2 holds up his hand.
IV.	To unload the gun. “Unload.”	5 sec.	Motions distinct, belt correctly repacked, Lockspring released.
V.	To dismount the gun. “Dismount Gun.”	15 sec.	All points as at beginning of Test I., and cork plug replaced.
VI.	To bring gun into action (Range ... Object ...) “Action.”	40 sec.	All points for Tests I., II. and III. to be fulfilled. Time taken until No. 2 holds up his hand.
VII.	Horizontal Traversing (Limits of Traverse). “Traversing Fire.”	3 sec. for each complete series.
VIII.	Diagonal Traversing (Limits of Traverse). “Traversing Fire.”	4 sec. for each series.
IX.	Rectifying Stoppages. “Gun Stops.”	Correct procedure begun, 3 sec.	Correct remedy applied and gun relaid after remedy.
X.	Belt Filling.	1 min. 12 min.	25 rounds.^[1] 250 rounds.^[1]

Normal rate of fire about 500 rounds per minute. 91All-round traverse, which allows gun to be turned in any direction without moving tripod, and with little exposure.

It will be seen therefore that the machine gun is a weapon of opportunity particularly adapted for surprise effect, but not for sustained fire action.

FIRE DIRECTION.

Ranging Fire.

Rapid Fire.

In groups of from 30 to 50 rounds, the firer pausing slightly between each group to confirm the alignment of sights.

Traversing Fire.

Distributed laterally, and applied in a series of small groups, the object being to cover as wide a front as possible, with a minimum of volume. (Groups should consist of from 5 to 10 rounds only.) A belt of 250 rounds should cover a frontage of 25 yards in one minute.

Swinging Traverse.

For trench warfare, and against dense targets at close ranges, the traversing clamp being kept fairly loose and the gun traversed evenly and smoothly from side to side, both hands retaining their hold on the traversing handles.

Combined Sights.

When two or more guns are working together, the depth of the effective zone can be increased by ordering different elevations for each gun, both, however, using the same point of aim.

From this it is apparent that, allowing an error of 10 per cent. in ascertaining the range, the flatness of trajectory within 800 yards will insure the target being included in the effective zone, therefore with Mark VII ammunition combined sights should not be used at less than 800 yards.

Bracketing.

When only a section is available and the “combined sights” method does not give sufficient assurance of fire effect, “bracketing” should be used as follows:—

The range estimated, probable error determined, and the limits between which it is necessary to search with fire, the maximum and minimum elevation will be allotted to right and left gun respectively, who fire a burst and then work inwards (one higher, one lower) by altering their respective elevations 50 yards each time, eventually passing each other. If observation of the fire can be obtained, correct elevation should be immediately ordered.

With Mark VII ammunition this method would not be necessary at 1,000 yards, as with a 10 per cent. error the “combined sights” method would give a satisfactory result.

Vertical Searching.

The range to nearest point of objective is taken, sight adjusted and gun laid on this point.

Sights are then set for the farthest point of the objective. This will bring the line of sight short of the aiming-point. A series of bursts are then fired, care being taken that each burst strikes just beyond the former one, but does not leave any gap between groups.

Overhead Fire.

Can be employed normally from or at a commanding position, or across a valley, but not when own troops and those of the enemy are on same plane.

Range.	Mark VI.	Mark VII.
Depth.	Width.	Depth.	Width.
Yards.	Yards.	Feet.	Yards.	Feet	inches.
500	150	4	220	2	6
1,000	70	8	140	5	0
1,500	60	13	70	10	0
2,000	50	19	60	17	6

93Range of target must be accurate. If 1,000 yards or under, angles of sight to enemy and own troops must not be less than 30 minutes. If range is between 1,000 and 1,500 yards, the angle must not be less than 60 mins.

Adjust backsight to correct range of target and lay gun on mark. If gun is nearer than 900 yards, raise sight by 400 yards, and if further than 900 yards, raise sight 250 yards.

When heads of own troops come into line of sight, cease fire, or continue to elevate gradually, keeping pace with advance.

Indirect Fire.

A machine gun protractor, or graticules cut across the focal plane of prismatic glasses are most satisfactory. By this means indirect fire can be applied as easily as direct fire.

Night Firing.

The gun may be laid by day and left until required, or by use of the “night firing box,” as follows:—

A stick is placed in the ground 10 yards in front of gun in a direct line with the target, and at night the stick is replaced by the “night firing box”—the sights altered (but not the gun) until aligned on the lamp at the point where the lines form the true centre.

EXAMPLES OF FIRE ORDERS.

Normal Fire Order using One Elevation.

Combined Sights.

Changes in elevation (left gun up 200, right gun down 200) (or more, as required).

When “differences” “by sections” are required the fire order will be as follows:—

Traversing Fire.

The same method is employed when laying on the centre, the caution “Outwards traversing” being given.

Section officer repeats limits to be traversed, and immediately issues orders respecting ground to be traversed by their own sections, corresponding to their own positions.

Vertical Searching Fire.

Bracketing Fire.

SIGNALS.

In many cases observation will be impossible from the gun position and it will be necessary for observers to signal results from a flank.

95The following semaphore code is used in signalling the results of observation of fire:—

The signaller at the observation post should give the “call up” to show that the observers are ready. “P” and “M” may be repeated for multiples of 50 yards; thus, “PP” would mean, “Fire observed at least 100 yards beyond target.” Signals should be repeated from the gun position if this can be done without disclosing the position to the enemy.

On all occasions when guns are firing, the following signals should be used in controlling fire:—

Signal for “Action.”—Both arms fully extended, raised from the sides to a position in line with the shoulders and lowered again. This motion to be repeated until it is seen that the signal is being complied with. Note.—A machine gun is said to be “In Action” when it is mounted, loaded and laid, but not necessarily firing.

Signal for “Out of Action.” Arm swung in a circular motion in front of the body.

By No. 2.

By Controlling Officer.

GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.

Extracts from War Office Letter No. 9/General Number/4976 (M.T. 2), dated 14th May, 1915.

The following table shows the establishment of the Service Machine Gun section to be maintained in the 96following units:—New Armies, Reserve Units, Territorial Force Units, Colonial Contingents.

In draft producing units, the personnel of machine gunners will always be maintained; a reserve of men thoroughly trained in mechanism, drill, etc., must be available to fill the gaps in the service section caused by drafting.

300 rounds (Territorial Force Units, Mark VI., other Units, Mark VII.) will be fired in the General Machine Gun Course by each Officer, N.C.O. and man of the existing service section or on his appointment thereto, as soon as he is fit to fire.

Unit.	Officers.	Sergeants.	Corporals.	Privates.
New Armies (Infantry Battalions):—
	Service Section	1	2	1	24
	Reserve Section ^[2]	1	2	1	24

Reserve Cavalry Regiments	1	1	1	24

Territorial Force:—
	Yeomanry Regiments	1	1	1	24
	Infantry Battalions	1	2	1	24
	3rd Line Depôts	1	1	1	24

Special and Extra Reserve Infantry Battalions:—	1	1	1	24
	2nd Reserve Infantry Battalions (supplying 3 Battalions)^[3]	1	1	1	24
	2nd Reserve Infantry Battalions (supplying 2 Battalions)^[3]	1	1	1	18
	2nd Reserve Infantry Battalions (supplying 1 Battalion)^[3]	1	1	1	12

Colonial Contingents:—
	Cavalry Regiments	1	1	1	24
	Infantry Battalions	1	2	1	24

(b) Men who have commenced a course previously approved will complete such course.

97Machine gunners of New Army Battalions, other than 2nd Reserve Battalions, will not commence the course until authority is given to do so.

Ammunition allotted to Machine Gun Sections is not to be expended for rifle firing.

3. GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.

1. Additional Practice.—For trench warfare, and against dense targets at close range, the “Swinging Traverse” has been found necessary. It in no way replaces the method of traversing by automatic tapping, which should still be considered the normal method. The swinging traverse is taught by teaching a man to traverse a machine gun instructional target evenly and smoothly in about 6 seconds.

2. Practice 10.—It will be necessary to shorten the target, as 40 rounds less are allowed for in this practice. This will be done by using two 10–feet screens instead of three. Spaces will be 20 inches.

3. Practice 13.—(a) If a field firing range is not available Practice 11 will be substituted for this practice.

(b) Observation should be taken by three parties, left, right, and centre, who should change round after each firer. Section Officers should ascertain that each man has observed from each position.

4. Practice 14.—10 rounds will be fired at each of the four distances from 600 yds. to 200 yds. on the lines laid down in Musketry Regulations. These rounds will be “spaced out” before commencing the practice, and the firer will proceed to the next range on completing his 10 rounds, whether he has secured a hit or not.

5. Machine gunners will be classified upon the result which they obtain in Practices 9 and 10, General Machine Gun Course, as follows:—

Points will be allotted in the classification practices on the same basis of scoring as laid down in paragraph 647, Musketry Regulations, Part I., 1909 (reprint), 1914.

Preliminary instruction in aiming and firing should be given by means of a Rifle Attachment.

A very satisfactory one can be obtained at small cost from Messrs. A. G. Parker & Co., Whittall Street, Birmingham.

The illustration is practically self-explanatory. The large round clamps fit on the water jacket of the machine gun and the small clamps hold the rifle, which can be adjusted to hit at exactly the same mark as the machine gun barrel is aimed at.

The trigger of the rifle is connected to the machine gun by the adjustable chain device shown.

The apparatus is in constant use at the Schools of Musketry, and is the invention of Armourer Sergeant-Major Hiscock, of the Motor Machine Gun Section.

WAR ESTABLISHMENTS OF NEW ARMIES, 1915.

1 pick-axe, 1 shovel, and 1 billhook are carried with each machine gun tripod as part of its equipment. 60 sandbags per infantry battalion are carried for use with machine guns.

Points to Remember.

Choice of Gun Positions.

The choice of a gun position must be governed by the following considerations:—

Employment of Machine Guns.

Open spaces across which the enemy are dribbling in small parties in order to concentrate at another point.

It may happen that machine guns are forced to open fire in self-defence, or to assist the advance of the infantry in spite of the target offered not being a suitable one for machine guns.

Any tendency, however, to open fire with machine guns without good reason must be suppressed.

Machine Guns and Artillery.

Change their Position at once.—This would be the usual proceeding. A movement of quite a short distance—say 50 yards—is quite sufficient in many cases; or—

Cease fire while detachments take cover until the shelling stops.—If this be done, the hostile artillery may think that the machine guns have been put out of action.

Good targets may then present themselves, and the guns may be able to reopen fire with good effect from the same position.

There have been several cases of machine guns firing against artillery with great success. The following instances are quoted:—

(a) A section of machine guns worked forward to a concealed position 900 yards away from a German field battery in action. The section brought oblique fire to bear on the battery and completely silenced it.

(b) A section took a German field battery in enfilade at 2,400 yards. The battery was firing at the time, the gunners fled from their guns, and the battery was silenced.

Note.—Frontal fire by machine guns against shielded artillery can only be expected to produce moral effect. This moral effect may, however, be considerable; and, in addition, the machine gun fire may greatly hamper the supply of ammunition to the guns, etc.

Barricades.—When barricading roads, bridges, streets, etc., machine guns should not be placed on the barricade itself if equally good effect can be obtained by placing the guns in positions commanding the approaches to the barricade.

Banks.—The banks of rivers, canals, streams, etc., can be made use of for gun positions, or covered lines of advance or retreat.

Crops.—Standing crops often form useful cover for guns and concealed lines of advance, etc.

Ditches.—These can often be used to enable machine guns to be pushed forward, so as to bring oblique or enfilade fire to bear on the enemy.

A few men should be pushed along the ditch on the exposed flank as a protection against snipers, counterattacks, etc.

Place the gun in the back of a room, firing through an open window, or a window from which a few panes of glass have been removed.

Should a house have two doors or two windows, directly behind one another, the gun may be placed in rear of the house, and fire through these doors or windows.

Place the gun in rear of the house, so that oblique or enfilade fire can be brought to bear on the enemy.

If the house possesses a cellar, the gun may be placed in the cellar, a few bricks being removed, so as to enable the gun to be fired from the ground-level.

In whatever position the gun is placed some protection should, if possible, be provided for the numbers, such as an emplacement of sandbags, stones, bricks, etc.

103It should be remembered that if the gun is located in a building by the enemy’s artillery, it may be necessary to evacuate the building quickly; arrangements must therefore be made to meet this contingency.

Folds in the Ground.—Great use can be made of folds in the ground for the concealment of machine guns.

The gun should be placed so as to enable the bullets to clear the crest, while the gun and detachment are concealed as much as possible.

Place the gun behind the haystack in such a manner that oblique or enfilade fire may be brought to bear on the enemy.

Hedges.—Can often be used as a covered approach and as fire positions giving cover from view.

A few men should be placed along the hedge, on the exposed flank, for protection.

Hollow out the mound from the rear, so that the gun can fire from the hollow while it is concealed from the front.

Place the gun behind the mound, using the mound as a cover from the front, while oblique or enfilade fire is brought to bear against the enemy.

104Stacks of Wood.—The stack may be hollowed out from the rear, so that the gun can be placed inside the stack, and fire to the front, while being perfectly concealed from view.

Trees with strong branches are necessary, and a platform for the gun must be built in the branches.

Trenches.—When guns are not used in trenches they should, when possible, be placed so as to bring oblique or enfilade fire against:—

In all cases the gun should, if possible, be covered from fire from the front, and should be able to sweep the front of the entrenched line with cross fire.

Thus, although each gun may be firing to its flank, its front is swept by the fire of a neighbouring gun.

Arrangements should be made so that guns so placed may be able to fire to their front, should an emergency make this desirable.

Arranging that some sandbags can be removed and the gun fired to the front through the loophole thus made.

Every endeavour should be made to conceal the position of the gun from the front.

Gun emplacements must therefore be made to appear exactly like the remainder of the trench or breastwork.

Several emplacements should be made for each gun, and practice should be made in moving guns quickly from one emplacement to another.

Guns may be placed—In the Front Line of Trenches.—This may be taken as the general rule.

In Support Trenches.—There are occasions when it may be advisable to place guns in the support trenches.

In Positions in Rear.—If the ground is favourable it may be possible to place guns, in concealed positions, in rear of the entrenched line.

General Notes on Trench Work.

If guns are often used, the positions from which they are fired should frequently be changed.

When taking over a line of trenches the machine gun officer must make careful arrangements for controlling the fire of his guns.

Towers, windmills and other high buildings may often be used with advantage:—

Woods, especially when in leaf, are often most valuable for concealing the position of guns.

Care must be taken that the guns are not placed too near the edge of the wood or individual men expose themselves.

All communications between guns should be made in the wood, well in rear of the guns.

Alternative positions should be selected, so that the 107guns may be moved rapidly from one to another if desired, with as little loss of time as possible.

Lines of retirement through the woods must be arranged and also lines of communication between guns and limbers thought out.

Machine Guns in Action.

The Attack.—The guns should be dug in whenever it is possible to do so without giving away their position.

It is often impossible to see anything of the enemy. Therefore likely positions for him to occupy must be looked for.

Surprise, obtained by a concealed advance, is essential to the successful handling of machine guns.

The progress of the infantry must be carefully watched, with a view to pushing on a certain number of guns and to closely support them whenever possible.

All suitable ground, buildings, etc., that may enable this kind of fire to be used should be looked for.

The enemy’s machine guns are the weapons that are most likely to hold up the attack.

Therefore every effort should be made to locate them, and to concentrate the fire of our own machine guns upon them.

It may sometimes be possible to use machine guns to search systematically all places in the area of attack likely to be held by the enemy.

This searching fire has undoubtedly considerable moral effect on the troops subjected to it, and may greatly assist the subsequent infantry advance. It requires, however, a large expenditure of ammunition.

If the preliminary reconnaissance is properly carried out, it is quite possible for the guns employed for this purpose to remain undetected, even though pushed well forward.

108The general rules as to position of machine guns in attack are as follows:—

It may be possible, and advantageous, to move forward a proportion of the guns with the attacking lines of the infantry.

The guns allotted to this duty will not take part in the covering fire, but will keep themselves fresh and their ammunition intact, in readiness for the advance.

As enemy snipers are a particular source of annoyance to machine gunners, they should be watched for.

The defence of prepared positions has been already dealt with under the heading of Machine Guns in Trenches.

Machine guns in any defensive position must be so organized that they can support each other mutually throughout any given section of the defensive line.

It must be remembered that the best positions for machine guns are not always the same by night and day.

It will often be necessary to move the guns from the night position to the day position before dawn.

Positions in rear must be chosen before the guns leave the position they are holding.

A proportion of the guns should occupy the position in rear, before all guns retire from the forward position, thus the retirement of the last guns can be covered.

Village Fighting.—As soon as the infantry have made good one edge of the village, the guns will be brought up as close to the firing-line as possible.

They will then search windows, doorways, roofs, etc., likely to be held by the enemy.

Guns will be used to command cross-streets, etc., so as to guard against attacks on the flanks or rear of the infantry.

Guns should also be posted on the edges of the village, to prevent flank attacks.

During village fighting every use should be made of windows, doors, etc., as machine gun positions (see page 102).

Co-operation.—The necessity for co-operation between the machine guns taking part in any particular action cannot be overestimated.

Not only should the individual gun of a particular unit work upon some definite plan for mutual support, but the sections of all units that are operating together should co-operate with a view to obtaining the best results from their combined action.

Therefore great attention should be paid to training a number of guns to operate together for some specific purpose.

110The following notes from overseas on machine guns, compiled by Capt. E. Feilder (Attached Gen. Staff, A.T.C.), are of considerable value:—

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MACHINE GUN OFFICER.

1. The Machine Gun Officer should have a complete knowledge of the nature of the action and the plans of the Commander.

2. The Commanding Officer should inform the M.G. Officer generally of the part he expects the guns to play, and the particular assistance he requires from him.

3. The M.G. Officer should then be allowed to form and carry out his own plan of action in such a way as best meets the requirements of the C.O. and the situation generally.

4. When possible, ample time should be given the M.G. Officer to make his arrangements.

5. He should not be given hurried orders at the last moment; such a proceeding is very seldom necessary.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE MACHINE GUNS OF A BRIGADE TAKING PART IN AN ATTACK ON AN ENTRENCHED POSITION.

1. The whole of the machine guns must be organised under the command of one Officer.

2. This Officer, in conjunction with the Section Officers, must make detailed plans for the employment of the guns.

3. In this manner each gun or group of guns will have a specific task allotted to it. Before the action commences all concerned will thoroughly understand their duties.

4. It must be clearly understood by all Officers of the Brigade that the machine guns have definite tasks allotted to them. That they are under the command of the Brigade Machine Gun Officer, and are therefore not to be given orders or otherwise interfered with by other Officers.

5. The plans of the B.M.G.O. will have been made in consultation with the Brigade Commander, who will have explained to him the course that the action is expected to take.

111All guns must be in their allotted places before the preliminary bombardment commences.

A.—Some to go forward with the Attacking Infantry.

Their role will be to make good the ground gained by the infantry against counter attack.

They should advance in such a manner as to ensure their reaching the position gained by the infantry in safety.

The locality in which the guns will be mounted in the captured lines should be settled before the advance.

B.—Some to Cover the Infantry Advance.

The possibility of using guns for this purpose and their positions if used depends on:—

When their role of covering fire is completed they should automatically come again under the control of the B.M.G.O., who will give them further orders.

C.—Some Detailed in Pairs to Engage the Enemy’s Machine Guns when these are Located.

These may possibly go forward with the attacking Infantry. This will depend on the nature of the ground, action, etc.

D.—Some in Reserve under the Brigade Commander.

These should be retained as a real reserve and not pushed too early into the fight.

If the attack is to consist of more than one phase, that is to say, of two or more distinct advances, separate plans must be made for each.

Arrangements for the supply of ammunition, belt fittings, ammunition depôts, etc., must be made before the action commences. One Officer should be placed in charge of these arrangements.

The B.M.G.O. should remain with the Brigadier. He should provide himself with a suitable number of orderlies.

The necessity for co-operation between the machine guns taking part in any particular action cannot be overestimated.

Not only should the individual guns of a particular unit work upon some definite plan for mutual support, but the sections of all units that are operating together should co-operate with a view to obtaining the best results from their combined actions. This cannot be done in action unless previously practised. Therefore attention should be paid to training numbers of guns to operate together for some specific purpose.

RANGES.

The ranges fired at have varied from 15 yards (at which, in one instance, a German rush was stopped), to 2,800 yds., at which range a battery of the enemy’s field artillery was silenced. This brings out the importance of:—

2. The importance of range-taking, range cards, judging distance, visual training, reference points, etc.

3. Practice of the “Swinging Traverse” for stopping rushes and dealing with dense targets at very close range.

4. Practice of traversing by means of the “Automatic Tap” for medium and long ranges.

NATURE OF TARGETS FIRED AT.

4. Edges of woods, hedges, ditches, etc., where enemy’s firing-line was known to be, but in many cases could not be seen.

5. Enemy machine guns in all manner of positions, usually invisible to the eye or even with glasses.

6. Hollows, wood, and other cover under which the enemy was known to be concentrating.

7. Searching fire to try and locate and beat down hostile fire that was being delivered from concealed positions.

The varied nature of the targets that the machine gunner may have to engage brings out the fact that the machine 113gunner must be very thoroughly trained, and emphasizes the points brought out under “Ranges, Fire Orders, Indication and Recognition.”

FIRE ORDERS.

While in a large number of instances it has been possible to give fire orders by word of mouth, this will, as a rule, be only possible under exceptionally favourable circumstances.

Thus the successful co-operation of the guns working under one leader will very largely depend on the mutual understanding that exists between the Officer and his Gun Commanders.

Therefore the Officer must ensure that all those under him clearly understand:—

3. The objects in view and the methods by which the Machine Gun Officer hopes to attain them.

In this way, even when individual control by the Officer has been lost, the desired effect will most likely be obtained, for each Gun Commander will be striving to attain that effect, though, perhaps, by different means.

METHODS EMPLOYED IN CONTROLLING FIRE OF SECTION.

But whatever method is employed, a thorough understanding between the Officer and those under him is essential.

NUMBER OF GUNS UNDER ONE COMMAND.

One Officer to a 4–Gun Section is not sufficient. Whether the guns are grouped under the supreme command of one Senior Officer, or whether they work in sections, there should always be one Officer to each pair of guns.

The great importance of alternative positions being arranged for cannot be overestimated. The best way of moving the gun from one position to another without being seen should be studied. If guns are located and shelled, either:—

The first will be the more useful proceeding, but success has been obtained several times with the second. For example:—

On one occasion, after shelling for some time, the artillery ceased, thinking, no doubt, that they had “knocked out” the machine guns. Massed enemy infantry then advanced, the machine guns opening fire again from their old position with great effect.

The great importance of concealed approach in occupying positions must be impressed on Machine Gun Officers.

GENERAL REMARKS OF INTEREST.

1. Lack of any organised method of using machine guns. Young and inexperienced Officers are left in many cases to do what they think best with their sections, without any previous consultation or plan as to how guns can be most usefully employed.

2. Lack of any attempt at co-operation between the sections of the units working together in any particular action.

3. Lack of initiative and push. This is usually due to want of knowledge. Though the machine gun is a weapon of opportunity, opportunities seldom occur to those who passively await them.

A good Machine Gun Officer, by keeping himself thoroughly in touch with the situation, must have an opportunity to use his guns with effect.

4. This lack of co-operation is seen both in the open and in trench work. All this points to the fact that co-operation between the whole of the machine guns taking part in any action is not sufficiently studied.

On many of the occasions brought to notice in which machine guns have been brigaded they have achieved marked success, but on the whole not sufficient use has been made of this method of obtaining the combined action of a number of guns.

“Brigading” guns does not mean “massing” them. It means the “brigaded” guns are employed with some definite plan under the direction of one Officer.

In all cases where the action of brigade guns has been successful there has been:—

2. Conference between the B.M.G.O. and the Section Officers at which the arrangements for the employment of the machine guns were fully discussed.

But when the sections have been hastily collected together and placed under the B.M.G.O., without time for making the above arrangements, the result has usually been that sections have been dispersed without definite orders or a complete understanding of the situation, and effect has been lost.

In trench warfare the successful co-operation of the machine guns assisting in the defence of any particular section of the entrenched line has been obtained by:—

This has enabled rapid concentration of the requisite number of guns only on any one portion of the enemy’s line, and has prevented unnecessary opening of fire and the consequent waste of ammunition.

In many cases, however, Officers in command of troops in sections of trench line have considered they are also in command of the machine guns placed in that portion 116of the trench occupied by their troops. This has led to:—

4. The guns being located by the enemy through an unnecessary opening of fire ordered by an Officer who is not an expert in machine gun tactics.

FIRE ORDERS.

The system of fire orders as taught at Hythe previous to the war has been most successful.

Machine Gun Officers are also of opinion that, though it has often been impossible to give orders by word of mouth, the systematic training of all ranks in this system tends to ease of control under difficult circumstances, and when a number of guns are being employed for combined action.

This training forms a basis from which other methods of control can most easily be evolved, and inculcates into the men the necessity for assuring themselves that any orders received by them are passed on by some means to those concerned.

“INDICATION AND RECOGNITION.”

The methods of “indication and recognition,” as taught at Hythe before the war, have proved most useful. This fact has been brought out in the accounts of the most successful machine gun actions, as has also the great value of the use of range cards and indication points. Targets are generally easy to indicate, as men are more alert than in peace-time.

Training in indication, recognition, fire orders, and judging distance, can be given at any time, as no apparatus is required.

This is also valuable, as it trains all ranks in a quick understanding of directions given, study of ground, and trains the eye in quick observation.

The necessity of using guns in pairs for mutual support in case of mechanical trouble no longer holds good. Guns in the open have usually been placed not less than 50 yards apart. This enables the best use to be made of the ground as protection against artillery fire and for concealment. In trench warfare guns should usually be placed singly, arrangements being made for “cross fire” and mutual support between the guns of any particular section of the defensive line.

OBSERVATION OF FIRE.

Observation of fire has usually been obtainable up to 900 yards, and in favourable circumstances at even longer ranges.

Even when the ground has been unfavourable, observation has often been obtainable on water, walls of houses, enemy’s parapet, etc.

OVERHEAD FIRE AND CONDITION OF GROUND.

During the fighting on the Marne and on the Aisne, guns were often able to support the infantry advance to within 100 yards of the enemy’s position.

Even on flat ground frequent instances are given where overhead fire has been used, with excellent effect, from buildings.

This is a question that should be carefully studied by all Machine Gun Officers.

INDIRECT FIRE BY GRATICULES, LEVEL, AIMING POSTS AND OBSERVATION.

All the suggested methods have been used, and in some cases compasses and maps as well. Effect has been obtained in the open and on enemy’s concentrations at long ranges, and in trench warfare on working parties, ration parties, communications, etc., behind the enemy’s 118lines. A great deal more could be done in this way if all guns were not almost invariably placed in trenches, instead of a proportion being placed in suitable positions in rear, and long-range fire employed. All this points to the fact that a Machine Gun Officer should be acquainted with all methods of employing indirect fire, in order that he may be in a position to make the best of any opportunities that may occur.

CLOSE CO-OPERATION BY MACHINE GUNS WITH THE FRONT LINES OF ATTACKING INFANTRY.

Very little information has been given on this subject, but co-operation seems to have been very poor; but this co-operation is made very difficult in many cases by:—

2. The visibility of the methods employed of carrying the gun. This leads to many casualties.

4. Lack of definite plans as to the role of the M.Gs. before the action commences.

1. In a recent attack, owing to lack of any previous understanding between M.G.Os., eight M.Gs. converged into one small section of a captured trench. Owing to lack of space only two of these guns were able to come into action.

2. In another instance during an attack, six guns converged into one small house. Owing to lack of space, etc., only two of these guns were able to come into action.

Before an attack a certain M.G. Officer was told to await orders from his Commanding Officer. He was forgotten and left behind.

In this case, as soon as the Officer realized that he had been forgotten, he should have used his own initiative.

All these point to the fact that some arrangements for concerted action should be made.

1. The usual system of using Nos. 3 and 4 as carriers is generally adopted. Often these numbers are not sufficient for the work. It is then necessary to borrow men from neighbouring squadrons or companies.

2. The bringing up of ammunition is dangerous work; therefore it is obviously best to avoid employing trained gunners if unskilled men are available.

4. Pack animals can sometimes be brought close to the firing-line when the ground is favourable, thus saving manual labour.

5. Several instances are given of confusion occurring during an attack, owing to the limber moving without orders. This should be guarded against.

CHIEF MECHANICAL TROUBLES.

The answer to this subject emphasizes the fact that when well looked after, the Maxim or Vickers machine gun is thoroughly reliable. Except in very few cases all breakages may be said to be due to want of care. The following are the principal troubles that have occurred:—

1. Broken Lock Spring.

From inquiries made it would appear that many gunners keep their guns loaded with the lock spring compressed during the whole period that the gun is in the trenches. This practice will be a fruitful source of broken lock springs. The half loading motion should be performed, and the lock spring released. To complete the loading when required should not take more than one second.

2. Bulged Barrels.

These are due to mud getting into the barrel when the gun is being carried into the trenches, while it is being mounted, or through striking against the parapet when in position.

Waterproof sheets or sandbags should be put round the gun when carrying it to or from the trenches.

These can generally be kept dry by covering the box with a waterproof sheet; the exposed part of the belt also being covered by that part of the sheet that is hung over the gun.

4. Muzzle Cups (Vickers’ Gun).

The reason for most of the breakages of these cups is that they are screwed up too tight, thus allowing for no expansion of the metal of the barrel owing to heat. At the same time they must not be too loosely screwed up, as this will equally cause breakages.

5. Stove Pipe Attachment.

Complaints are made that this bursts at the seam. This seam can easily be riveted by the armourer sergeant.

6. Loose Belts.

7. Firing Pins.

USE OF PACK TRANSPORT.

Pack transport for both cavalry and infantry has been found to be more mobile and less conspicuous than limbered wagons. A combination of both is probably best. In many cases, before the war, pack transport was never used; thus when issued it was little understood. Sufficient attention is not paid to the selection of horses for pack work. If the horses with easy action are selected the bad effects of undue jolting can be minimized. Putting on pack and getting in and out of action with it is too little practised.

THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.

1. Canvas ammunition carriers soon wear out. These can easily be reinforced with leather by a saddler. A board placed underneath them with rope passed through the brass eyelets has been found very satisfactory.

1212. Jolting of the pack causes the ammunition to slip back in the belt, leading to faults in feed. Boxes can be lined with tin from biscuit boxes. Ammunition has been carried in boxes that have been treated in this way for long periods without any movement of the ammunition.

PACKING AND CARRYING GUNS IN LIMBER.

Almost every detachment appeared to have a different method of packing their limbers. It is advisable that gun, tripod, etc., should be carried in the front portion, as the rear half may have to be discarded. In many cases boxes to hold the gun are fitted into the limber itself with good results. Converted guns are sent in boxes too long to fit the limber.

BREAKAGES TO LIMBER.

Perches, brakes and perch hooks have frequently broken. It is thought that brakes are too often used instead of horses being made to take the weight of the limber when descending hills.

BILLETS.

Most Machine Gun Officers appear to make every endeavour to keep their men in practice, practice being daily given whether in or out of the trenches. There are, however, exceptions, who state that there is no time for training. As all brigades doing trench work are similarly situated, this points to lack of effort in those particular cases. In very few cases is any physical training attempted. This is one of the most important parts of the training of any man who has to carry a heavy weight at a rapid pace. After several days of trench work this becomes more than ever necessary. It is suggested that only the minimum number of men actually required to work the guns should be kept in the trenches. The remainder of the team should be practised daily, and every effort should be made to keep them physically fit. In this way each man would do only very short periods of trench work, and would be in every way better and more prepared for really strenuous work when required.

Where instruction in billets is carried out on a properly organized system there would appear to be no difficulty in training considerable numbers of new men. In certain brigades, brigade machine gun courses are held under a selected Officer; the men attending these courses are kept out of the trenches for the duration of the course. This would appear to be by far the most satisfactory arrangement. Many Officers complain that as soon as they train a reserve team it is placed in the ranks, the men fighting as ordinary riflemen. Thus after an action when reserve men are required to replace the casualties in the gun team, it is generally found that many of these, on whose training as machine gunners much time and trouble has been spent, have been killed or wounded. This is a mistaken policy. In conclusion:—

1. Trained machine gunners are too valuable to be risked on any work except their own particular job.

2. All trained reserves should be kept out of danger as much as possible until required to replace casualties.

3. At ordinary times four men per gun are ample for work in trenches; the remainder should be kept in reserve.

PAINTING OF GUNS.

It is suggested that guns should be painted on the rainbow smudge system, in order to make them less conspicuous and visible.

KEEPING OFFICERS IN PRACTICE.

It is very important that all Officers, when trained as machine gunners, should be given opportunities of practice and of handling a section. Thus they will be ready to take over the section at any time, if required.

B.S.A.

RIFLES

AND

SIGHTS

The very extensive B.S.A. rifle and sight plant is at present exclusively engaged in the manufacture of service pattern arms for the War Department. The production of the various B.S.A. target and sporting rifles and sights will be resumed as soon as the pressure due to the war eases off.

There are still remaining in stock a few rifles of ·250, ·300, ·310, and ·32/20 bore.

WRITE FOR DETAILS, POST FREE.

B.S.A. Rifle “Safetipaste”

THE “NO TROUBLE” RIFLE BARREL PRESERVER.

Abolishes the arduous process of scrubbing out rifle barrels. The bore of the barrel has merely to be coated with the preparation. Acid and other products of combustion at once rendered quite harmless. Rifle may safely be put aside for any period. Simply wipe out the bore before firing again. Its polish may be even more brilliant than before.

Sold by all Gunmakers at 1/– per tube.

Inventors and Sole Manufacturers:—

THE BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS CO., LTD.,

BIRMINGHAM.

H. Graham Bennet,

Uniform Specialist,

58, Moorgate Street, LONDON, E.C.

Telephone No.: LONDON WALL 205.

Estimate for Outfit for Second Lieutenant of Infantry

on joining Unit (Home Service).

	£	s.	d.
1 Service Jacket, whipcord material	4	14	6
1 pair Collar Badges for ditto	0	6	6
1 pair Knicker-breeches, whipcord material	1	10	0
1 Service Jacket, fine grade serge	3	10	0
1 pair Collar Badges for ditto	0	6	6
1 pair “Slacks” to match	1	5	0
British Warm Coat (Lined Woollen Plaid)	3	15	0
1 pair Gilt Stars for shoulders of ditto	0	2	6
Sam Browne Belt, fine grade, with two braces, frog, holster, pouch, etc., complete	2	5	0
Cap and Badge	1	0	0
1 pair Spiral Puttees	0	7	6
Haversack	0	7	6
Water Bottle	0	12	6
Whistle and Lanyard	0	2	6
Great Coat Carrier, best grade sling and swivels	0	8	6
3 Best Quality Khaki Flannel Shirts at 10/6	1	11	6
6 Collars to match at 1/6	0	9	0
2 Khaki Silk Knitted Ties at 2/6	0	5	0

	22	19	0
Wolseley Valise and Camp Kit complete	7	10	0

	30	9	0
Infantry Pattern Burberry Coat	3	13	6

	£34	2	6

Strictly Net Cash.

NOTE.—The above figures are a quotation for the complete outfit, and do not refer in every case to separate items.

All the above articles of best materials, best cut and style and sound workmanship.

Full detailed price list and list of regiments, etc., for which outfits have been supplied, can be had on application.

Speciality—Promptitude.

Smart Yet Dependable

Prior to the invention of THE TIELOCKEN, a Weatherproof combining the smart Service appearance requisite to the Soldier, with such protective powers as would enable it to resist the heaviest downpour and keenest wind, may be said to have been non-existent.

In every case one quality had to be sacrificed for the benefit of the other, and to-day

THE TIELOCKEN

is the only Service top-coat that successfully unites both these essential characteristics.

Its design ensures that, from chin to knees, every vulnerable part of the body is doubly protected.

It affords effective security, yet is healthfully self-ventilating—excludes heavy rain, yet is free from rubber or other air-tight fabrics—is airylight, and yet warm in chilly weather.

Another advantage is its quick adjustment. A belt holds securely—no buttons to fasten.

BURBERRYS supply well-tailored Uniforms in Burberry-proofed cloths, suitable for any part of the world, as well as every detail of equipment.

Freedom.

“It is not to be thought of that the Flood
Of British freedom, which to the open Sea
Of the world’s praise from dark antiquity
Hath flowed, ‘with pomp of waters, unwithstood,’
Roused though it be full often to a mood
Which spurns the check of salutary bands,
That this most famous Stream in Bogs and Sands
Should perish; and to evil and to good
Be lost for ever. In our Halls is hung
Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:
We must be free or die, who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held.—In everything we are sprung
Of Earth’s first blood, have titles manifold.”
William Wordsworth, 1802.

THESE BOOKS WILL HELP YOU

PLATOON & COMPANY DRILL

Compiled by the Commandant and Staff of the London District School of Instruction, Chelsea Barracks. Illustrated. The last word in Drill.

Price 1/–, post free 1/1.

BATTALION DRILL ILLUSTRATED

A very practical work widely used throughout the country. Fully illustrated.

Price 1/– net, post free 1/1.

DUTIES FOR ALL RANKS

Will be of considerable help to you. Gives all duties from the Private to the C.O. Etiquette, Officers’ Messes, hints to young Officers, how to look after your Platoon, &c., &c.

Price 6d. net, post free 7d.

KNOWLEDGE FOR WAR

Every Officer’s handbook for the Front. Based on the War Office Syllabus. Expert information on every subject which an Officer must know before being selected for service in the field.

Price 2s. 6d. net, post free 2s. 8d.

COURTS-MARTIAL FOR PRESIDENTS AND MEMBERS

A complete guide to this intricate subject by a D.A.A. and Q.M.G.

Price 5/–, post free 5/5.

RIFLE SHOOTING FOR WAR

A valuable adjunct to Musketry Regulations.

Price 6d. net, post free 7d.

Send a postcard for full List of Books:

HARRISON & SONS,

Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty,

ST. MARTIN’S LANE, LONDON, W.C.

SMART, SERVICEABLE AND SOLDIERLY.

Let the Leading Military Tailors make your kit and you are assured of quality in material, soldierly smartness in cut, correctness in detail, and strict moderation in cost. Thresher’s Guide illustrates and describes everything in Officers’ Uniforms and Equipment. The long experience and wide knowledge which it embodies are invaluable to the Cadet receiving a commission who wishes to be well and efficiently equipped without throwing away money.

The Guide is kept constantly up-to-date, fresh editions, containing the latest information, being frequently published.

Write for Guide (E) to Kit and Equipment.

A FEW PRICES.
	£	s.	d.
Whipcord F. S. Jacket	4	4	0
Slacks	1	12	6
Bedford Cord Riding Breeches	3	3	0
Service Cap	0	15	6
British Warm from	4	4	0
Sam Browne Belt and Shoulder Strap	1	7	6

By Appointment to H.M. The King.

THRESHER & GLENNY

152 & 153, STRAND

LONDON, W.C. 2.

Estd. 1850.

Elvery’s Ltd.

“Waterproof” Trencher

☛ ELVERY’S TRENCHER is made of “Triple-proofed” fabric without the aid of Oilsilk or Cotton, and is unsurpassed as a reliable “Trench Coat.”

¶ “Land & Water” says: “it is a good coat worthy of the consideration of all officers in need of a really reliable coat.”

Best make & finish, special value, 4½ gns.

Active Service Waterproof, 3 gns.

(Guaranteed Stormproof.)

☛ Elvery’s are waterproof Experts, and are replete with all Waterproof Kit Requirements, Boots, Leggings, Gloves, etc.

Complete War Office Kit, £7 10s.

J. W. ELVERY & CO., Ltd., Waterproof Specialists,

ELEPHANT HOUSE, Estd. 1850,

31, CONDUIT STREET, LONDON, W.

(One door from New Bond Street), And at DUBLIN & CORK.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MACHINE GUN MANUAL ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”
• You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.
• You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.
• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™

Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

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

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

Lightweight	90/–
Medium	105/–
Heavy	105/–
Fleece Linings	45/–
Without Rubber	} Write for Prices.
„ (lined Oil Silk)	} Write for Prices.

Silver Crystal Glass,	£3 3s.
Silver Hunter or Half Hunter,	£3 15s.
Gold Crystal Glass	£8 0s.
„ Hunter or Half Hunter	£8 10s.
Others in Silver from	£2 10s.

Part I.				Rounds allotted.
Practice	1.—	Grouping		10
„	2.—	Single shot, traversing		10
„	3.—	Application		20
„	4.—	Vertical searching		20
„	5.—	(Omitted).
Additional Practice.—		Swinging traverse		30
		Repetition		20

				110

Part II.

(Range 400 yards for all Practices except Practice 14.)

			Time.	Rounds
			Seconds.	allotted.
Practice	7.—	Ranging		20
„	8.—	(Omitted).
„	^[4]9.—	Application	20	30
„	^[4]10.—	Traversing	50	60
„	11.—	(Omitted).
„	12.—	(Omitted).
„	13.—	Observation		20
„	14.—	Fire at successive positions (range 600 yds. to 200 yds.)		40

		Total		170

		Part I.		110

		Part II.		170

Surplus for repetition of indifferent shots to be pooled and used at the discretion of the Commanding Officer				20

Grand total				300

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Machine gun manual

Machine Gun Manual

Contents.

The Maxim Gun.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Non-Recoiling Portion.

Recoiling Portion.

Converted Guns.

Ammunition.

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

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.

To Mount Gun.

To Dismount Gun.

TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.

To Load.

To Unload.

TO CLEAN GUN.

Mechanism.

Barrel.

Treatment in Frosty Weather.

MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.

THE FUSEE SPRING.

To Weigh and Adjust.

STRIPPING THE GUN.

(i) Lock and Feed Block.

(ii) Fusee Spring Box.

(iii) Tangent Sight and Cover Lock.

(iv) Cover.

(v) Rear Crosspiece.

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

(vii) Recoiling Portion.

(viii) Foresight.

(ix) Steam Tube and Packing Gland.

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

(xii) Feed Block.

(xiii) Tangent Sight.

(xiv) Rear Crosspiece.

EXAMINATION AND TESTING.

ASSEMBLING THE GUN.

REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS OF THE LOCK.

(i) Sear.

(ii) Tumbler.

(iii) Trigger, Lock Spring or Extractor Levers.

(iv) Firing Pin.

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

STOPPAGES.

1. Temporary.

2. Prolonged.

(i) Broken Cover Springs.

(ii) Broken Ejector Tube Spring,

(iii) Cotter working out,

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

(v) Gunmetal Valve Working Loose.

·303–inch Vickers Gun.

VICKERS LIGHT MACHINE GUN.

TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT GUN.

TO LOAD AND UNLOAD GUN.

To Load Gun.

To Unload Gun.

TO CLEAN.

MUZZLE ATTACHMENT.

FUSEE SPRING.

To Weigh and Adjust Fusee Spring.

TO STRIP AND ASSEMBLE GUN.

Lock.

Feed Block.

Fusee Spring Box.

Fusee.

Ball Firing Attachment.

Slides, Right and Left.

Recoiling Portion.

Roller.

To Strip Lock.

Tangent Sight and Spring.

EXAMINATION AND TESTING.

Assembling.

REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS.

STOPPAGES.

DAMAGED PARTS OF LOCK, &c.

BELT FILLING.

DUTIES.
(Referring mainly to the Maxim and Vickers’ Guns.)