│If empty case is │If recurs, examine │Weak or broken │ found, pull crank│ extractor ejector│ extractors. │ handle, raise │ │ │ safety catch, │ │ │ remove magazine │ │ │ and empty. │ │ │ Examine rim │ │ │ „ │ │Broken ejector. │If crank handle │ │Magazine not really │ jams remove │ │ home, or rim │ magazine │ │ injured, or catch │ │ │ broken. │If crank handle │Change if broken │Weak or broken │ flies forward, │ │ cartridge guide │ insert new │ │ spring. │ magazine, │ │ │ otherwise examine│ │ │ cartridge guide │ │ │ spring │ │ ───────────┴───────────────────┴───────────────────┴─────────────────── The Colt Automatic Gun (1914 MODEL.) Weight of gun 35 lb. „ „ tripod 58 „ Length of barrel 28 in. Calibre ·303. Rate of fire 400 shots per min. 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. [Illustration: Plate VIII. Gun mounted on Tripod, showing Belt passing out. (Right Side.) ]