Evolution of the 4-in Dischargers, Smoke
Based on the information I received from the Enfield Pattern Room, this piece of equipment evolved in the following way. No dates were available to form an actual timeline, but it is very likely some overlaps occurred.
No. 1 Mk 1: The action was based on the .303 Martini Enfield. No further information available.
No. 2 Mk 1: The action was based on the No. 1 SMLE rifle with mods for firing by a remote control Bowdenex Cable.
No. 2 Mk 2: The action was based on the No. 1 SMLE rifle with no modifications to the firing mechanism.
No. 3 Mk 1: The action was an original design specific to the discharger. Employed a dropping breech block similar to the Martini action. It could be fired by a pull chain or a remote Bowdenex Cable.
No. 4 Mk 1: The action was based on the No. 3 (Pattern 14) rifle. No further information available.
Canada produced a quantity of their own dischargers, based on the British No. 2 Mk 1, utilizing both the Ross Mk. III Rifle actions and No. 1 SMLE rifle actions. I do not know what, if any, numbering convention Canada used for this production. Some were built for cable operation and some had no modifications to the firing mechanism.
The Bowdenex type cable is essentially a bicycle brake lever and cable assembly. Different lengths were issued for different vehicle installations. For the No. 1 Mk 1 Dischargers, the available cable lengths were:
No. 1: 3 feet
No. 2: 5 feet
No. 3: 6 3/4 feet
For the No. 2 Mk 1 Dischargers, the available cable lengths were:
No. 1: 3 1/4 feet
No. 2: 5 feet
No. 3: 7 1/2 feet
David
Last edited by David Dunlop; 01-06-16 at 17:26.
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