1874.] British Artillery Matériel. 49 
to increased resistance, the onward velocity was suddenly 
checked. 
XII. The Moncrieff system of mounting guns has been 
tried successfully with guns up to 7 tons weight, can be 
applied with advantage to g-inch guns of 12 tons, and 
possibly extended to guns of 18 tons and upwards. 
The g-inch carriage subjected to trial was of the improved 
type, known as Pattern II. It differs from the original con- 
struction adopted in the case of the 20 7-inch muzzle- 
loading Moncrieff carriages made for service, and from the 
first experimental carriage for g-inch guns of 12 tons, in the 
following particulars :— 
1. The carriage proper is dispensed with, and the gun 
rests directly on the elevators. By this arrangement, the 
strain which, in the carriages of original construction, was 
received upon the rear axletree at the moment of firing, is 
now conveyed through the vertical elevating bars to a 
grooved stool bed upon which these bars slide. By this 
means the blow which previously was met directly is now 
gradually absorbed. 
2. The gun comes down into a constant position for 
loading, whatever elevation or depression it may have in 
the firing position. 
3. It is simpler and more compact, although heavier, but 
it affords greater facility for loading and elevating. 
Notwithstanding the increased cost of the Moncrieff as 
compared with the service carriage and platform, his system 
(an ordinary barbette unprotected battery always excepted) 
is considerably cheaper than any other, constructed of either 
earth or stone protected with iron shields. As compared 
with the cost of a casemated battery, with shield, as esti- 
mated for a g-inch gun of 12-tons, the balance in favour of 
the Moncrieff system would amount to about £1800 per gun, 
while, as compared with that of an open battery, with 
shield, with and without splinter-proof cover, the saving 
would be respectively £450 and £667 per gun. 
As regards economy and efficiency, therefore, the Com- 
mittee consider the Moncrieff system compares very favour- 
ably with that of the service, especially when it is considered 
that, from its extensive lateral range, one gun mounted on a * 
Moncrieff carriage may do equal work with two or more 
guns mounted behind shields. 
; The system will be found particularly well adapted 
or,— 
(1.) Mounting guns in salients, &c., of land defences, 
and— 
VOL. IV. (N.S.) H 
