Paragraph
General   ....................................................................................................		40
Inspection of gun   .......................................................................................		41
Inspection of breech mechanism   ................................................................		42
Inspection of firing mechanism   ...................................................................		43
Inspection of traversing mechanism   ...........................................................		44
Inspection of elevating mechanism   ..............................................................		45
Inspection of recoil and recuperator mechanisms   ........................................		46
Inspection of rammer assembly   ..................................................................		47
Inspection of mount   ...................................................................................		48
Inspection of bogies   ..................................................................................		49
Inspection of brakes   .................................................................................		50
Inspection of equilibrators   .........................................................................		51

40. GENERAL.

a. Inspection has as its purpose the detection of conditions which cause improper performance. Such conditions may be caused by:

(1) Mechanical deficiencies resulting from ordinary wear and breakage.

(2) Faulty or careless operation.

(3) Improper care (servicing and lubrication). Inspection should always be accompanied by corrective measures to remedy any deficiencies found. When properly carried out, inspection and necessary corrective maintenance will insure the maximum reliability and performance of the materiel. The following inspection should be made at regular intervals not to exceed 30 days during both active and in active seasons.

b. Before making a detailed inspection, the gun and mount should be inspected in general for evidences of faulty operation, care, and maintenance. Any unusual conditions which might result in improper operation or damage to the materiel, must be immediately remedied. Untidy appearance and evidences of rust or deterioration must be corrected. Missing or broken apparatus must be replaced.

41. INSPECTION OF GUN.

Inspection		Adjustment
Note condition of bore. Look for rust. Note lubrication of bore.		Remove any rust. Clean and slush. Wipe dry and lubricate.
Note smoothness of operation of the breech mechanism in opening and closing.		If the mechanism does not operate smoothly, disassemble, clean, examine the parts for wear or breakage, and replace unserviceable parts. Lubricate the mechanism and reassemble. If it is still difficult to operate, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Examine the breechblock and breech recess for burs, indentations, rust, pitting, and other evidence of erosion.		If not possible to smooth or clean with CLOTH, crocus, notify ordnance maintenance personnel. Do not use any other abrasive.

43. INSPECTION OF FIRING MECHANISM.

Inspection		Adjustment
Note the action of the firing mechanism by pulling on the firing lever. Then open the breech and note whether the percussion mechanism has been cocked during the operation of opening the breech. Close the breech again and operate the firing mechanism. With the breech closed, cock the percussion mechanism using the cocking lever assembly.		Repair or replace parts of the percussion mechanism release assembly, percussion mechanism, and cradle firing mechanism which may be worn or broken.

44. INSPECTION OF TRAVERSING MECHANISM.

Inspection		Adjustment
Operate the traversing mechanism to determine smoothness of operation and whether there is any backlash or play in the mechanism.		Lubricate. If this fails, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Inspect for defective or broken parts.		Notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Examine for proper lubrication.		Lubricate if necessary.

45. INSPECTION OF ELEVATING MECHANISM.

Inspection		Adjustment
Operate the elevating mechanism to determine smoothness of operation and whether there is any backlash or play in the mechanism.		Lubricate. If this fails, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Inspect for defective or broken parts.		Notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Examine for proper lubrication.		Lubricate if necessary.

46. INSPECTION OF RECOIL AND RECUPERATOR MECHANISMS.

Inspection		Adjustment
Check recuperator cylinder for proper amount of gas pressure and liquid.		To check the gas pressure: See that the gas valve on the recuperator cylinder is closed. Remove the liquid and gas filling plug and install the pressure gage securely. Open the gas valve and read the pressure registered on the gage. The normal pressure is 600 pounds per square inch. If the recorded pressure is less than normal, proceed as in paragraph 37.
		The gas pressure may also be checked without the use of the gage, by elevating the gun to maximum elevation and then jacking it out of battery and blocking in the recoil position. If the gun slides into battery rapidly when the block is knocked out, the gas pressure is sufficiently high for proper operation.
		To check the liquid level: Depress the gun to minus 1 degree. Gently open drain plug not more than one turn and note whether liquid flows. If it does, there is sufficient liquid. If no liquid flows, the cylinder must be purged of gas and refilled with liquid as described in paragraph 37.
Check the recoil cylinder for proper amount of liquid.		To check liquid: Elevate the gun to a 2-degree elevation. Remove the liquid filling plugs. The liquid should be up to the level of the filling holes. If it is necessary to add liquid, proceed as in paragraph 38.
Exercise the weapon using a block and tackle to determine the amount of recoil, which should be 41½ inches at a 0-degree elevation and 27¾ inches at maximum elevation.		If necessary, check the gas and liquid content of the recuperator cylinder, should the weapon recoil in excess of the prescribed distances (par. 46 a). If cylinder is full, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
The gun should not jump or slam into battery. The gun should ease into battery smoothly against the action of the recoil mechanism.		If necessary, refill the recoil cylinder. If this does not remedy the condition, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Note whether or not the recoil and recuperator piston rods are properly secured to the breech ring.		Tighten if necessary.
Inspect for any leakage of liquid around the recoil or recuperator cylinders.		Notify ordnance maintenance personnel.

47. INSPECTION OF RAMMER ASSEMBLY.

Inspection		Adjustment
Check the rammer cylinder for proper amount of gas pressure and liquid.		To check the gas pressure: See that the gas valve in the rammer cylinder is closed. Remove the liquid and gas filling plug at the air filling vent and install the pressure gage securely. Open the valve and read the pressure registered on the gage. The normal pressure is 225 pounds per square inch. If the recorded pressure is less than normal, proceed as in paragraph 39.
		To check the liquid level in the rammer cylinder. Depress the gun to minus 1 degree. Gently open the gas and liquid filling plug not more than one turn and note whether liquid flows. If it does, there is sufficient liquid. If no liquid flows, the cylinder must be purged of gas and refilled with liquid as described in paragraph 39.
Check the smoothness of the rammer tray for burs or rust.		If not possible to smooth or clean with CLOTH, crocus, notify ordnance maintenance personnel. Do not use any other abrasive.
Inspect for any leakage around the rammer cylinder.		Notify ordnance maintenance personnel.
Operate the rammer assembly by cocking the mechanism; then release the pressure on the rammer to determine smoothness of operation.		Lubricate if necessary. If this fails, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.

48. INSPECTION OF MOUNT.

Inspection		Adjustment
Inspect the pintle bearing for lubrication.		Lubricate if necessary.
Inspect the trunnion bearings for cleanliness and lubrication.		Clean and lubricate.

49. INSPECTION OF BOGIES.

Inspection		Adjustment
Examine the winches for broken parts, smoothness of operation, and lubrication.		Repair any damage or replace broken parts. Lubricate if necessary.
Check to see that the leaf spring clips are tight and that the spring center bolts are not worn.		Tighten the spring clips or replace spring center bolts, if necessary.

50. INSPECTION OF BRAKES.

a. Power Brakes. Inspect the power brake mechanism at frequent intervals to discover air leaks. All air line connections must be tight. In case leakage test shows a 2-inch diameter soap bubble in 5 seconds, notify ordnance maintenance personnel.

b. Hand Brakes. A hand brake lever is mounted on the rear bogie. The lever is retained in position by a latch engaging a toothed segment. If the hand brake does not hold, notify ordnance maintenance personnel for any necessary adjustment.

51. INSPECTION OF EQUILIBRATORS.

a. If the elevation handwheel is difficult to operate, it is possible that the equilibrators are not compensating for the unbalanced weight of the gun. Notify ordnance maintenance personnel for any adjustment necessary.