Handbook for Light Artillery

Name: Handbook for Light Artillery
Author: Dyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)

Dyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)

Artillery, Field and mountain

1 breech-cover, russet leather.
    1 muzzle-cover, russet leather.
    1 gunner's haversack, containing:
      1 breech-sight.
      1 gunner's quadrant in case.
      1 lanyard.
      1 Universal fuze-wrench.
    1 cannoneer's haversack, containing:
      1 spare extractor.
      1 spare stop-bolt.
      1 spare spring-washer.
      1 dismounting-pin.
      1 drift.
      1 oil-can.
      2 cleaning-brushes.
      1 screw-driver.
      1 fuze-wrench.
      1 pair of cutting-pliers.
      1 vent-cleaner.


                             GUN-CARRIAGE.

    1 pair of shafts.
    1 sponge and rod.
    1 sponge-cover.
    2 brake-ropes.


                            PRAIRIE LIMBER.

    4 ammunition-chests.
    4 fuze-cases.
    1 pair of shafts.
    1 felling-axe.
    1 pick-axe.
    1 shovel.
    1 waterproof paulin 13′ x 6½′.
    1 picket-rope and prolonge 20′ long.


                    ARTIFICER'S TOOLS AND SUPPLIES.

In the composition of a complete mountain-battery must be included
the necessary tools and supplies for making any repairs that may be
required, for shoeing the pack-animals, etc. These constitute the loads
for four mules, as follows:


                             PIONEER-PACK.

    2 felling-axes, with handles.
    1 crowbar, steel.
    2 sledge-hammers (8 pounds), handled.
    4 bill-hooks.
    4 pick-axes, handled.
    4 shovels.
    6 reaping-hooks.
    4 hatchets.
    50 feet of 1-inch hemp rope.


                              FORGE-PACK.

    1 mountain-forge, complete.
    1 set of smith's tools.


                           ARTIFICERS' PACK.

    1 set of wheelwright's tools.
    1 set of saddler's tools.


                             SUPPLY-PACK.

    1 set of wheelwright's stores.
    1 set of saddler's stores.
    1 set of farrier's stores.


                    LOADING-TOOLS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

Tools for loading the ammunition are supplied in sets, enclosed in an
oak chest. They are not to be carried into the field. The set consists
of:

    Common-shell plunger.
    Shrapnel plunger.
    Case-shot plunger.
    Loading-sleeve.
    Ejector.
    Loading-press.
    Fuze-key.
    Cleaning-brush.
    Shell-funnel.
    Cartridge-funnel.
    Cartridge-gauge.


                         TO FILL COMMON SHELL.

Insert the funnel in fuze-hole and pour in bursting-charge, at the same
time tapping side of shell with a wooden mallet. Clean the fuze-hole
carefully with brush, and make sure that no powder remains in the
thread. Screw the fuze tightly home. If the fuze requires more force
than can be given with the key to screw it home, lay it aside. _Never
strike a fuze or attempt to force it._


                      TO FILL THE CARTRIDGE-CASE.

Weigh the charge (never measure it) and pour it in the case through a
funnel. Shake the charge well down by tapping side of case with flat of
the hand. Insert the wad.


                    TO ASSEMBLE CARTRIDGE (1′.65).

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Handbook for Light Artillery

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