FM 23-45 Basic Field Manual
12
■22. G
ENERAL. — It is essential that the gun be maintained in the best mechanical
condition at all times. It must always be kept clean and covered with a light coating of
oil. Particular attention must be paid to the bore. Care and cleaning will not be
confined to the gun alone but will include the tripod and all accessories. Belts and
ammunition must be kept clean and dry.
■23. G
UN, TRIPOD, AND SPARE PARTS.
a. Bore
. — When firing is completed the bore should be cleaned immediately as
follows:
(1) Disassemble groups from gun.
(2) Place barrel with barrel extension attached, muzzle down, in a vessel
containing hot water and soap or hot water alone.
(3) Use cleaning rod with flannel patch to pump water hack and forth through
the bore for about 1 minute. (A soft wire brush may be used to remove
particles which are stuck to the bore.)
(4) Dry and clean bore thoroughly then apply a light coat of lubricating oil.
(5) Inspect daily and repeat the above treatment until the bore shows no signs of
corrosion.
b. Moving parts.
— The moving parts should be kept clean and lubricated before,
during, and after firing. In lubricating the parts during firing, care should be exercised
to apply oil frequently but sparingly to those parts where actual friction exists. These
include the cam groove and the cocking lever. Excess oil generates smoke which
interferes with observation.
c. Front barrel bearing
. — Carbon is deposited in the front barrel bearing during
firing of the gun. If this deposit is not removed periodically, it will eventually cause the
barrel to bind. To remove—
(1) Using a combination tool, unscrew front plug.
(2) Soften carbon with oil and scrape it out.
(3) Replace plug.
NOTE. — Before guns are stored, the front barrel bearing should be removed and the carbon deposits thoroughly
removed from the bearing and barrel jacket.
d. Tripod
.
(1) Keep all moving parts lightly oiled. Avoid leaving excessive oil in interior of
tripod head as dirt and sand will collect and interfere with positive locking of legs. The
pintle bushing should be cleaned and lightly oiled. Oil should not be placed in the
seating of the traversing dial, as it will cause dirt to collect and interfere with easy dial
adjustment.
(2) All steel parts of the M2 tripod are given special treatment to prevent
rusting. This protection may eventually wear through where sliding parts are in
contact and rust will then occur. In the removal of such rust only the finest crocus cloth
should be used and this sparingly.
(3) AU parts of the M2 tripod are carried in local stock by the Ordnance
Department. In case of dents or bending of parts that interfere with smooth operation
in mounting and dismounting the tripod, temporary repair by either filing down dents
or straightening the bent part may be necessary. However, the damaged part should be
replaced at the earliest opportunity by Ordnance Department personnel.
