=The counter recoil cylinder= is connected by a passage to the right air tank and also to the small equalizing cylinder, the latter being connected to the left air cylinder, thus maintaining equal pressure in both air cylinders and in the counter-recoil cylinder. The counter-recoil cylinder is closed at the rear end with the counter-recoil cylinder head and at the front end with the stuffing box, through which the counter-recoil rod and its piston moves. =The recoil cylinder= is closed at the rear end with the recoil cylinder head and at the front end with the recoil cylinder stuffing box, through which the recoil piston rod operates. This rod is hollow and serves as a buffer chamber for the buffer rod, which is securely screwed to the recoil cylinder head at one end, the other end carrying the counter-recoil valve. The recoil and counter-recoil rods are fitted with the piston rod nuts on the front end which engage the piston rod lock plate. =The cradle= is a steel U-shaped plate reinforced by several transoms and supported by the trunnion bracket, elevating segment brackets, and in traveling position by the cradle band which engages the clips on which the howitzer recoils when in action. The sleigh traveling locks are mounted at the extreme ends of the cradle and used to lock the sleigh to cradle when the howitzer is in traveling position. The cradle is mounted on trunnions on the carriage, and by means of elevating segments geared with the elevating mechanism may be inclined at various firing angles. When carriage is traveling the rear end of the cradle rests on the cradle traveling lock, thereby relieving the elevating mechanism of the weight of the howitzer, sleigh and cradle. The left trunnion of the cradle is bored out to receive the sight and bracket. The shoulder guard is located on left side of the cradle just back of the trunnion bracket and protects the gunner from the recoiling parts. The firing mechanism is located on the right side of the cradle and provided with a safety device which prevents the piece from being fired when the piston rod nuts are not engaged by piston lock.