GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 
517 
the tie-bars together. This collar-bolt can work backwards and 
forwards in the slot cut for it in the brackets. The axletree has a 
corresponding play in guides fastened to the lower edge of the brackets. 
The collar bolt is connected with the buffer above-mentioned, which is 
fixed to a transom, so that if the axletree be fixed the trail can only 
move by compressing the buffer. Thus, when the gun recoils, it at 
first only moves the trail brackets and buffer, and by means of the 
latter, which suffers compression, a pull is exerted on the collar-bolt 
and tie-bars, and thus on the axletree and wheels, which are thus put 
into motion. 
Thus a large amount of work is done on the buffer which would 
otherwise act destructively on the various parts of the carriage. 
The absence of a sudden shock, and the method of absorbing work 
by an elastic buffer, seem to render this system a peculiarly valuable 
one, as enabling us to fire heavy charges and shells from light guns. 
The theory may be briefly stated thus :—The trail brackets are rigidly 
connected with the gun, and being comparatively light do not absorb 
a very large amount of work to put them in motion. The buffer then 
comes into play and absorbs work, gradually reducing the speed of 
recoil of gun and trail, and gradually imparting motion to the rest of 
the carriage. 
We can easily calculate the work done on the various parts of the 
carriage in the case of the proposed 24-pr. 
Let us assume the gun= 1350 lbs., carriage 1350 lbs., shell 24 lbs., 
charge 6 lbs., M.Y. 1600 f.s. Then let cc = velocity of recoil of gun 
in feet. 
1350# = (24 + f) x 1600. a = 82 f.s. 
and energy of recoil of gun — 21,600 ft. lbs. 
Suppose the first part of the carriage to weigh 550 lbs. Then 
(1350 + 550) x' = (24 + -§-) x 1600. af=22*7 ft. 
This is velocity of recoil of gun and first part, and its energy of 
recoil = 15,200 ft. lbs. 
The difference between 21,600 and 15,200 = 6400 ft. lbs., and gives us 
the work absorbed by the material of the first part. The buffer now 
comes into play, and through it the rest of the carriage is moved; 
finally, the whole system recoils with a velocity = 16 f.s., and an 
energy = 10,800 ft. lbs. Thus (15,200 — 10,800) 4400 ft. lbs. are 
absorbed in putting the second part into motion, and much of this is 
absorbed by the buffer. 
The principal peculiarity of the Russian carriage seems to be the 
great care shown in fastening the trail brackets together both by 
transoms and collar-bolts. Experience shows us the wisdom of this 
course; carriages otherwise sufficiently strong yielding by the brackets 
opening and bulging. This device seems to be very ingenious and 
well worth a trial, more especially as the large extent to which it has 
been adopted in the Russian service shows that it must possess more 
than merely theoretical advantages. 
