25 Pounder info needed.

[Private_collector]

Level now has a new bubble inside.
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A new vial was found that was the exact size I wanted.

A fortnight ago, I made a trip to get the main brake parts.
The pull rods, cross shaft brackets, and U bolts are finished and temporarily fitted.
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Some minor finishing pieces for the brake system are yet to be received, and one of the cross shaft bushings is being fabricated by a friend of mine, who is also a MLU member!
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Speaking of the cross shaft piece, the handbrake lever attached to it, has a slight bend that will be knocked out tomorrow afternoon. A neighbour and I will tackle that job after work. He has an oxy set and an anvil. It'll be basic blacksmithing work, but because the lever is welded to the cross shaft, a second person is needed to hold the shaft up, while the other one belts the brake lever back into shape again. It's fairly thick metal, so will take some persuasion.


I won't be getting the sight assembly I wanted. Although a repairable one was available here in Australia, another from UK became available and was in full working order. I overlooked the local one, in preference for the better condition (and dearer) overseas one. Wasn't fair to keep the other guy hanging after I had decided to spend the extra for other one, which as it turns out won't be happening, so guess I get none out of two. A technical hitch with export/customs leaving UK caused the package to be returned to sender. Apparently the issue was their inability to scan within the multiple layers of metal, and because they couldn't be sure there wasn't anything hidden inside, they rejected the parcel. Afterwards, the shipping company stated the assembly could have proceeded if it had been totally pulled apart, for internal imspection. There's a lesson learned at considerable time and expense, to both parties involved.

Once the remaining brake pieces arrive, they and the cross shaft (with lever) will be finished and put in place, completing the entire axle. Because I don't have anything else to start on, I'll be stopping work on the gun at that point, so another post or so will see the end of progress for an unknown period.

[Private_collector]

Incoming mail today brings a nice genuine 25 & 17 pounder spare parts roll.
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If I am reading correctly, the roll has the following markings.

C.M 1541
ROLL SPARE PARTS
Q.F 25 & 17 PR. MK I
P. J
I'm not sure about the '1541' nor the 'P.J', but that's what it looks like to me, anyway.
I do wish P.J had looked after his things better.

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By pure coincidence, I bought a small cotton canvas tarp on the way home, to be used on my CMP sunshine roof. Should be sufficient material left over to make a copy of the spares roll. Guess I'll have to cut some more stencils.

[rob love]

Last year, when I was at the Calgary gun show, a young fellow came up to me and offered m\to sell me some artillery stuff. They turned out to be 2 tool rolls for the 25 pounder, and the canvas for the limber. I purchased them and got reimbursed by the museum, so they are now their property. Perhaps a lack of foresight on my part but I really did not expect to get a 25 pounder. Anyway, here are some shots of the two tool rolls. I can confirm that the part number of CM 1541 is correct for the smaller one as that is the part number in the manual. The larger tool roll is part number CM 1598. Although the pouch I show does not denote 17 pounder as well, perhaps it predates the 17? The manual lists it as being for both.

[Private_collector]

Rob, your smaller roll has the same two letter at bottom, if my sight is correct.
Can you confirm it is 'P.J', or do you think something else?

[rob love]

Positive it is PJ. Perhaps a textile company somewhere that got the contract for these?

[Private_collector]

That's excellent news, thanks Rob.

[Private_collector]

Having been let down by ANOTHER sandblaster one time too many, the best option to ensure the job gets done properly.....or done at all, is to do it yourself.
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Crude but moderately effective, with over 75% of used sand being collected for recycling.
The rest went into surrounding ground, and into my pockets......apparently.

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I'm yet to finish the pull rod for the ratchet, and make the adjustable fitting that attaches upper end to the silver lever. Something like on the ends of the CMP brake rods should do nicely, if I can modify it.