Mike and I also like this gun and particularly the carriage a lot. Any further information on it's previous location would be much appreciated.
It seems to us that it's low stature suggests a fortress location, probably in a casemate, the tube within an embrasure. the V-shaped tongue at the front suggests this was a casemate carriage tied to a pintle-pin within the masonry under the embrasure opening. For this display, the forward wrought iron A-frame with integral wheels about 1/2 the size of the rear traverse wheels has been replaced with a thick walled pipe section which IS NOT the carriage pivot point. The forward wheels would have been set at a much smaller radius and ridden on a track or plate set into the casemate floor. This is a front pintle, traversing carriage designed for a casemate application.
The really unique part of this carriage is the design of the recoil and return to battery features. We studied this picture quite a bit, and have come to the conclusion that this carriage that we call the 'locust carriage' because of the shape, can only work during the recoil cycle if a sturdy roller with a central V-groove lies under the tube, supported by the massive yoke in the area of, but NOT supporting the trunnions. Only with this configuration of parts does the split-trail recoil reducing ramps make any sense. If the yoke was a 'Trunnioin Yoke', then the tube supported by the 45 degree back brace and bolster supporting the quoin and the tube's breech could not recoil up those ramps! It would be rigidly held in place. The roller held in position by the massive 60 degree yoke is the only explanation that seems to work for us. Anybody else have hardware in mind which would allow this piece to function during recoil?
As for the 'Return-to Battery', that must have been one ear-piercing,
CLANK!! as all that mass stopped instantly at the bottom of the hill!
This is all conjecture and not presented as established fact. What do you think?
Tracy and Mike
