=Variable recoil= is obtained by varying the area of effective throttling holes in the recoil valve. An arm on the trunnion cap is connected by means of connecting rod, valve-turning arm, valve-turning gear, and a piston-rod gear, to the piston rod itself. As the gun is elevated the relation of the cylinder to the trunnion changes, causing the piston rod to turn by means of the valve-turning mechanism. Slots in the piston engage lands in the valve, causing the valve to turn with the piston. As the cylinder remains stationary the location of the lands inside of the cylinder change with relation to the three rows of holes in the valve, and these rows of holes are covered to produce variations in the length of recoil. At long recoil all the rows are uncovered; at intermediate recoil one row is uncovered; and at short recoil two rows are uncovered. The setting of the valve in degrees elevation is shown by the scale on the piston-rod sleeve and index mark on the edge of the piston-rod bracket bushing at the top of the piston rod. =The top carriage= carries trunnions of the spring cylinders and rests on pintle bearing. The top carriage bears on the circular bronze slides in upper part of pintle bearing and is centered on the bronze pintle collar of the pintle bearing. =The pintle bearing= carries the top carriage, the equalizing pinions and the equalizing gear, and is supported by the axle arms, which are shrunk in the arms of the pintle bearing. Axle arms bear in the wheels. The object of the =equalizing gear= is to increase the stability of the carriage in firing when the wheels are at different elevations. Equalizing gear is an H-section with bevel tooth sector on each end and bronze-bushed bearing in the center. It bears over the vertical journal below the pintle bearing and is held in place by equalizing-gear support screwed inside the journal. Vertical deflection is prevented by the equalizing-gear bolts which are fixed to the pintle bearing by means of nut and shoulder, pass through slots in equalizing gear, and support gear on bolt heads. Equalizing pinions are bevel pinions sectors, bronze bushed, bearing over the arms of the pintle bearing, and have the lugs for trail connection bolts. Pinions are held in place by locking rings screwed over axle arms and are free to revolve about the pintle bearing arms. Equalizing pinions mesh with equalizing gear. When the carriage is laid with wheels at different elevations, it is more unstable than when wheels are level. If fired under this condition, the force of recoil tends to overturn the carriage. The function of the equalizing gear is to overcome this tendency. When carriage is fired, firing stresses are transmitted to trails, and the side on which the smaller stress is exerted tends to rise. This motion is transmitted through equalizing pinion and equalizing gear to equalizing pinion on other side, applying downward force on this trail and preserving the stability of carriage.