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ROCK ISLAND CANNON COMPANY TECHNICAL MANUALT M 1V0001

75-mm PACK HOWITZERSIGNAL CANNON

ROCK ISLAND CANNON COMPANY • JANUARY 2016

RICC Printing Office

Rock Island : 2016

DISSEMINATION OF RESTRICTED MATTER.—

No person is entitled solely by virtue of his grade or position

to knowledge or possession of classified matter. Such matter

is entrusted only to those individuals whose official duties

require such knowledge or possession. (See also MG 196–5.)

RESTRICTED.

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ROCK ISLAND CANNON COMPANYRock Island, IL, 8 January 2016

TM 1V0001, 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned.

By order of the Secretary of cannoneering :

official : KRIS M. JANSENPresident, Rock Island Cannon Company

JAMES R. COLEChief Officer of Miniature Artillery,Rock Island Cannon Company

diStriBution :One (1) copy per 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon.

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WARNING!

This manual provides critical safety and instructions on the property setup, operation, maintenance, and service of this 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon. Failure to read, understand, and properly follow the instructions given in this manual may result in serious personal injury or death. This Signal Cannon is not a toy. No one under the age of 18 should operate the Signal Cannon without direct and proper adult supervision. The owner of this Signal Cannon is solely responsible for its safe use. This responsibility includes but is not limited to proper setup and use in a safe environment, proper inspection and maintenance, manual availability and comprehension, and use of the safety gear and safety precautions prescribed herein. Use ONLY .50 caliber blank cartridges manufactured by Rock Island Cannon Company for this Signal Cannon. Do NOT use any other object or projectile when firing this Signal Cannon. The manufacturer shall not and will not be held liable for personal injury or property damage from negligence, modifications, improper use, or use of the Signal Cannon in any manner other than as prescribed herein.

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CONTENTS

PART ONE. INTRODUCTION

Section I. General ..................................................................................1Paragraph 1. Scope ........................................................................1Paragraph 2. Records .....................................................................1

Section II. Description and Data ...........................................................3Paragraph 3. General .....................................................................3Paragraph 4. Tabulated Data ..........................................................3

PART TWO. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Section III. General ...............................................................................4Paragraph 5. Scope ........................................................................4

Section IV. Service Upon Receipt of Signal Cannon ............................4Paragraph 6. General .....................................................................4Paragraph 7. New Signal Cannon ..................................................4Paragraph 8. Used Signal Cannon .................................................5

Section V. Assembly ..............................................................................5Paragraph 9. General .....................................................................5Paragraph 10. Assembly ................................................................5

Section VI. Operation ............................................................................8Paragraph 11. General ....................................................................8Paragraph 12. Loading a Cartridge ............................................8–9Paragraph 13. Firing the Signal Cannon ......................................10Paragraph 14. Removing the Cartridge .......................................11Paragraph 15. Cleaning and Maintenance ...................................12Paragraph 16. Disassembly of Tipping Parts ...............................12

Part Numbers .......................................................................................15

Gun Card ........................................................................................16–23

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RESTRICTED

PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

Section I. GENERAL

1. Scope a. This manual provides information on the proper use and care of the 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon. It contains technical information required for the identification, operation, use, and care of the signal cannon, carriage, ammunition, and accessory equipment. b. In all cases where the nature of repair, modification, or adjustment is beyond the scope of facilities of the operator, Rock Island Cannon Company (RICC) should be contacted so that technicians can provide proper guidance, instruction or servicing support. c. Warning: No modifications to the product should be done without first consulting RICC. Any modifications to the signal cannon will void the warranty and RICC cannot be held responsible or liable for any harm done to persons and/or property as a result of the modification(s).

2. Recordsa. Artillery Gun Card. The Artillery Gun Card, Form 5825 (this

form is located on page 16 of TM 1V0001), is used to keep an accurate record of the 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon.

These records are important for the following reasons : (a) They inform operators of the condition and serviceability of the howitzer signal cannon under their command. (b) They serve as the record of use and maintenance of the howitzer signal cannon and expedite effective maintenance.

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Section II. DESCRIPTION AND DATA

3. Generala. The 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon is a 1/6 scale model of

the 75-mm Pack Howitzer circa 1945. It is a portable, general purpose, miniature field artillery piece. It is manually operated, single loaded, and uses .50 caliber blank cartridges. The firing mechanism is a spring loaded firing pin actuated by pulling a lanyard that is connected to a hammer that swings to make contact with the firing pin. The cannon is used to signal or salute for celebrations or special occasions, or to alert nearby persons of your love for artillery.

b. The 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon contains two main assemblies: tipping parts (top sleigh, howitzer tube, bottom sleigh, and cradle) and carriage (fig. 1).

4. Tabulated Dataa. Data Pertaining to 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon.

Weight of howitzer and accessories and shipping crate...........23.00 lbs Weight of howitzer tube (with breech mechanism) ....................1.20 lbsWeight of tipping parts ................................................................2.60 lbsWeight of carriage .......................................................................6.80 lbsWeight of tipping parts and carriage ...........................................9.40 lbsLength of howitzer tube (with breech mechanism) ............ 10.22 inchesLength of carriage ............................................................... 19.16 inchesLength of tipping parts and carriage ................................... 24.19 inchesDiameter of bore ................................................................. 0.478 inchesType of firing mechanism .............................................Hammer and pinAmmunition ................ .50 caliber blank cartridges—777 black powderTime to emplace ........................................................................ 1 minuteLoudness of boom ............................................................... >90 decibels

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PART TWO

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Section III. GENERAL

5. ScopePart two contains information for the guidance of the personnel responsible for the operation of this signal cannon. It contains information on the cleaning and servicing, assembly, and operation of the 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon.

Section IV. SERVICE UPON RECEIPT OF SIGNAL CANNON

6. GeneralUpon receipt of new or used 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon it is the responsibility of the operator to ascertain whether it is complete and in sound operating condition.

7. New Signal Cannon Purchased From the Manufacturer or Authorized Dealer

a. Remove expansion foam from inside the crate. If desired, foam can be retained for storage and transport purposes, otherwise it can be discarded.

b. Inspect the contents of the crate (fig. 2) for damage to the signal cannon, carriage, and components. Check the bore to ensure it is clear of obstructions. Open and close the breech (par. 12c) to make sure the moving parts are functioning properly. Contact Rock Island Cannon Company if any damage is discovered.

c. Warning: Do not fire a damaged signal cannon!

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8. Used Signal CannonInspect the contents of the crate for damage to the signal cannon, carriage, and components. If the signal cannon has visible damage or the condition is in doubt, contact Rock Island Cannon Company or a licensed gunsmith to inspect for damage. Warning: Do not fire a damaged signal cannon!

Section V. Assembly

9. GeneralThe assembly of the 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon components are described in this section.

10. Assemblya. Carriage. Remove the carriage (fig. 2) from the crate and place

it on a solid surface. Inspect the carriage to ensure that there is no debris present on the surface.

b. Tipping Parts. Remove tipping parts (fig. 2) from the crate. Inspect the tipping parts to ensure that there is no debris present on the surface.

c. Assembly (fig. 3). Line up the tipping parts so that the cradle locking pins rest on the carriage bed and slide securely into the rear trunnion hooks. Swing the front trunnion hooks up to lock onto the front mounting pegs. This will secure the tipping parts to the carriage.

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Figure 3. Assembly of tipping parts to carriage.

Figure 4. Opening of the breech.

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Section VI. Operation

11. GeneralInformation in this section is concerned with the mechanical steps necessary to fire the cannon. This section also covers the procedures required to properly store the cannon after use. Please recognize and adhere to the following warnings when operating the signal cannon: Warning: The signal cannon is not a toy. No one under the age of 18 should operate the cannon without direct adult supervision. Check with local ordinances to ensure that firing the signal cannon is lawful. Warning: Do not operate the signal cannon without hearing protection. Warning: Do not put your hand or any body part in front of the cannon muzzle when firing the signal cannon as injury may result. Warning: Never point the signal cannon at a person or group of people as injury may result. Ensure a clear range out to 40 yards in front of the Signal Cannon when discharging a round.

12. Loading a Cartridgea. Clear the range. Ensure that the area is clear of people or objects

within 40 yards of the muzzle.b. Warning: Even though the signal cannon can only fire blank

rounds, the wads from the cartridge can travel with enough force to cause serious injury.

c. Opening the breech (fig. 4). The L-shaped breech operating lever is located at the top right side of the breech. Grasp the handle and swing it to the rear of the breech. The breech block will slide to the right exposing the bore. If the breech block is difficult to slide, assist the opening of the breech by pushing the left side of the breech block while swinging the handle.

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Figure 5. Loading of a cartridge

d. About RICC cartridges. Only .50 caliber blank cartridges manufactured by RICC MUST be used with the 75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon. The specialty cartridges are designed to ensure the safety of the operator and observers when firing the signal cannon. Contact Rock Island Cannon Company to order additional .50 caliber RICC cartridges.

e. Warning: Using cartridges that are not manufactured by RICC, or using any other objects, could cause serious personal injury or death to the operator and bystanders, cause damage to property, and cause damage to the Signal Cannon.

f. Loading a cartridge (fig. 5). Carefully insert the cartridge into the bore, ensuring that the primer end is facing the rear of the cannon. Slide the cartridge all the way into the bore until it is seated securely.

g. Closing the breech. Grasp the breech operating lever and swing it toward the front of the breech until it is seated. This will close the breech block and lock the cartridge into place in the bore. If the breech won’t close, remove the cartridge and insert a new cartridge. Dispose of the bad cartridge if breech closes. If breech does not close, clean bore and breech mechanism and insert new cartridge. Do not force if breech remains difficult to close. In this event, contact RICC for instruction.

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a. Clear the range.b. Warning: Clear the range of people and objects in front of the

signal cannon out to 40 yards before firing to prevent injury.c. Warning: Even though the signal cannon can only fire blank

rounds, the wads from the cartridge can travel with enough force to cause serious injury.

d. Fire the signal cannon. Grasp the lanyard and walk out the slack in the opposite direction the signal cannon is pointing until it is extended but not taught. To fire the signal cannon, pull the lanyard rearward in a quick motion to swing the hammer up and strike the firing pin. Do not attempt to fire the cannon without a lanyard or with a lanyard shorter than five feet in length. If the lanyard is not pulled properly, the hammer may need to strike the pin more than once to fire the cannon. Firing the cannon will produce a loud boom. Persons in close proximity should employ the use of hearing protection.

e. Warning: Do not attempt to fire the signal cannon without a lanyard or with a lanyard shorter than five feet in length.

f. Warning: If the lanyard is not pulled properly, the hammer may need to strike the firing pin more than once to fire the signal cannon.

g. Warning: Firing the signal cannon will produce a loud boom. Persons in close proximity should employ the use of hearing protection.

h. In case of misfire. If the cannon fails to fire after several attempts, count to ten and then follow the cartridge ejection procedure outlined in paragraph 14.

13. Firing the Signal Cannon

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Figure 6. Removing the cartridge

14. Removing the Cartridgea. Open the breech. Open the breech following the procedure

outlined in paragraph 12c.b. Removing the cartridge (fig. 6). Locate the cartridge extraction

tool. Slide the plunger end of the tool into the muzzle of the cannon until it reaches the cartridge. Gently push the cartridge out of the bore,until enough of the cartridge is exposed that it can be grasped and extracted.

c. Close the breech. Close the breech following the procedure outlined in paragraph 12g.

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15. Cleaning and Maintenancea. Ensure the signal cannon is unloaded. Make sure the cannon is

unloaded prior to cleaning or maintenance procedures. b. Warning: Before cleaning make sure the signal cannon is

unloaded by opening the breech and visually confirming that it is empty.c. Cleaning the signal cannon. The signal cannon fires black

powder cartridges. Moisture is highly attracted to black powder residue. In order to ensure a long life for the signal cannon it is vital to clean the cannon after every firing session. For best results, Rock Island Cannon Company recommends that you use quality black powder solvent. In the event that black powder solvent is unavailable, hot water with a mild detergent will be a suitable solvent to remove the residue. Begin by applying the solvent to the bore of the howitzer tube. Use an appropriately sized bore brush to loosen the residue followed by swabbing the bore with cloth until all of the residue is removed.

d. Maintaining the signal cannon. After the bore is clean, use a cleaning rod and swab to apply a generous coat of gun oil to the bore and breech to keep moisture away from the barrel and breech surfaces.

16. Disassembly of Tipping Partsa. Loosen the set screw. The signal cannon’s tipping parts (fig. 7)

can be disassembled if necessary. Begin by locating the set screw (fig. 8) on the bottom of the cradle. Use the provided 5⁄64 inch L-wrench to loosen the set screw.

b. Remove the top sleigh (fig. 9). Slide the top sleigh rearward to disengage the locking hooks from the locking hook channels. Lift the top sleigh to remove.

c. Remove howitzer tube from bottom sleigh and cradle (fig. 10). Slide the cannon rearward to disengage it from the bottom sleigh and cradle.

d. Remove the bottom sleigh from the cradle. Make sure the set screw has been removed from the bottom sleigh. Slide the bottom sleigh rearward until it slides out of the track located on the cradle.

e. Reassembly. Reverse the previous steps to reassemble. Do not over-tighten the set screw. It could cause damage to the signal cannon.

f. Warning: Do not over-tighten the set screw. This could cause damage to the signal cannon.

13Figure 8. Loosening the set screw

Figure 7. Tipping parts

14Figure 10. Removing the cannon

Figure 9. Removing the top sleigh

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PART NUMBERS

Visit RockIslandCannonCompany.com or contact RICC at 1-888-922-8502 to order replacement parts.

75-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon ........................................1V0001Crate ............................................................................................1V0190Tipping Parts ...............................................................................1V0100Bottom Carriage Assembly .........................................................1V0050Howitzer Tube with Breech ........................................................1V0110Top Sleigh ...................................................................................1V0120Cradle ..........................................................................................1V0180Hammer Assembly ......................................................................1V0140Lanyard .......................................................................................1V0104Wheel and Axle Assembly ..........................................................1V0130RICC .50 cal “Safety” Blank Cartridges (Qty. 25) .....................1V0082Cartridge Extraction Tool ............................................................1V010375-mm Pack Howitzer Signal Cannon Tech Manual ............TM1V0001Signal Cannon Gun Card .............................................................. F5825

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GUN CARD

Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825

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Round Number Date Notes

form 5825