SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
171 
The axle'tree bed, as just stated, is formed wholly of wrought-iron, and has the 
axletree riveted into it; both together constituting, as it were, a beam of box 
girder section. The axletree forms the bottom of the box; a piece of angle-iron, 
riveted along each side of the body of the axletree, the sides; while the top is 
formed by a broad plate riveted upon the upper sides of the angle-iron pieces. 
This construction gives great increase of strength; for though the wood bed fur¬ 
nished a convenient means of attachment between the axletree and body of the 
carriage, it did not support the axletree in an efficient manner. 
The brackets are housed over and riveted through their frames to the axletree- 
bed; they are also secured to it by the front transom, which is riveted to them and 
to the bed; and, further, by a small bracket stay between each bracket and the 
back of the bed. 
Placing the plate upon the inner instead of the outer side of the bracket frame 
gives greater strength to the bracket, by bringing the plate more under the trunnions, 
or, as it may shortly be expressed, “nearer its work.” This mode of construction 
has also the advantage of being the more convenient for manufacture. 
The transoms are of plate-iron; the front transom has a frame of angle-iron 
riveted to it in front, and a piece of angle-iron along each side in rear; and the 
second transom has a piece of angle-iron riveted along each side, both front and 
rear. 
The trail-piece is formed, not as in the present service carriage, to lap over and 
under the point of the trail, but to lie partially between the bracket sides. This form 
gives a stronger neck to the trail eye, and is much easier of manufacture than the 
old pattern. A bearing plate is bolted beneath the point of the trail. 
The top plate of the axletree-bed forms a suitable support for the axletree-boxes, 
which are attached to it by nib irons on the inner and screws on the outer side. 
The wheels of the carriage are the same as those of the present service carriage— 
viz., Madras pattern, of the 2nd class, 5 ft. high, and with a tire 2^ ins. wide. 
The elevating screw box is secured in its sockets on the brackets by cap squares, 
which makes it more convenient for removal, when required. 
The other fittings and articles belonging to the carriage are similar to those of 
the present service carriage. 
9 -pr. M.L.R. Limber. 
This limber differs from the service limber in having a wrought-iron instead of a 
wooden axletree-bed, and no block between the latter and the limber-hook. 
The axletree-bed is formed in a similar manner to that of the gun-carriage, but 
being of necessity deeper than the latter, its sides are constructed of plate-iron, a 
piece of angle-iron being riveted along each for the top plate to rest upon and be 
secured to. 
The futchells, of tee-iron, are let into the bed beneath the top plate, and are riveted 
to its angle-iron. The centre futchell is bent and its end riveted to the back plate 
of the bed, while the outer futchells project to the rear for the support of the top 
plate under the limber boxes; the latter plate is also strengthened by a stay near 
each end. 
The limber-hook is forged with three long arms by which it is riveted to, and at 
the same time held at a sufficient distance from, the rear of the bed; the rivets 
holding the upper arms have collars upon them. 
The platform and footboards are both 10 ins. wide, and beneath the front of the 
latter a slat is secured across the futchells, to prevent a horse getting his leg between 
the splinter bar and the board. 
The splinter bar is of plate-iron, trough-shaped, as in the service limber. 
The wheels, fittings, and articles belonging to the limber are also the same as in 
the latter. 
