17 pdr question

[Gunner]

Hi Eric:

The 17 pounder had a number of tools stored on the trails. The right trail has a shovel and a 'handspike' (what we Gunners call a lever), the left trail has the handspike, the pickhead and handle and two tool boxes.

The handspikes are about 2&1/2 inches in diameter and about four feet long. they were painted the same colour as the gun and fit into sockets on the end of the trails to make it easier to lift and separate or close the trails when coming into or out of action. When the trails were spread and locked the handspikes made it easier to lift the trails and swing the gun in large changes in azimuth.

I haven't purchased the Bronco model yet... what do you think?

Cheers! Mike