FM 23-45 Basic Field Manual
4
with a longitudinal slot in which is seated an engraved scale. This scale is utilized to
indicate plus or minus increments of elevation given the mounted gun. It is subdivided
into 50-mil graduations and is read by noting the position of the upper edge of the
traversing bar and the traversing slide lock lever preferably engaged. (When firing on
rapidly moving ground targets, the traversing clamp is not engaged, although the
traversing block must be retained in firm contact with the traversing bar.)
(2) Movement of the light machine gun in traverse, when mounted on the tripod
M2, is accomplished by moving the gun right or left as desired, the traversing clamp
being disengaged from the traversing bar but the traversing block remaining in firm
contact with the traversing bar.
S
ECTION II
DISASSEMBLING, ASSEMBLING, AND CHANGING PARTS
■9. GENERAL.
a
. Disassembling may be considered under two general heads: first, removal of
groups to the extent required for ordinary cleaning and minor repairs; and, second,
detailed disassembling, involving removal of all components from each group.
b
. A group is a number of parts, contained in a common housing, which function as a
unit.
c
. The removal of the different groups from the gun and complete disassembling of
the groups to be disassembled by the using services can be accomplished with the tools
provided.
■10. REMOVAL OF GROUPS FROM GUN.
a
. Backplate.
(1) Pull back on latch and raise cover. With the left hand pull back bolt handle and
hold it in the rearmost position.
(2) Insert rim of a cartridge in slit in end of driving spring rod. With slit
horizontal, push in driving spring rod as far as it will go and turn it clockwise one-
quarter turn until slit is vertical. In this position the lugs on it will engage in their
recesses in the bolt.
(3) Push bolt handle forward about an inch to free the rear end of driving spring
rod from backplate.
(4) Push latch forward and lift out backplate.
b
. Bolt handle.—Pull bolt all the way back and remove bolt handle.
c
. Bolt.—Remove bolt from rear end of receiver being careful not to handle driving
spring rod.
d
. Lock frame.—Insert nose of cartridge through hole in the right side of receiver and
push in on trigger pin. Grasp trigger and pull lock frame, barrel extension, and barrel
out of receiver. Hold barrel in one hand, lock frame in the other, and push forward on
accelerator. This separates lock frame and barrel extension.
e
. Barrel extension and barrel.—Unscrew barrel extension from barrel.
f
. Latch.—With the left hand, palm up, against the rear of the receiver to prevent
dropping the latch spring, pull latch to rear until it separates from the plate. Guns of
recent manufacture have the latch spring riveted to the latch
g
. Latch spring.—If not riveted lift the latch spring from its pin in the latch.
h
. Cover.
(1)
Guns of early manufacture
.
