Key used for adjusting or mounting 9.2inch guns?

[marc coene]

I found a steel key in our garden (Manor Farm at Zillebeke)about 30 cm deep. Out of air photos and written info by Captain Walker of 154 Siege Battery we know that there were positioned 4 pieces of 9.2" guns overhere. Somebody knows for which parts of the guns this key might have been used or was it for an other use?

The key is long and on one side it is made for tightening or untightening bolt nuts with diameter of about 54 mm(for big nuts).The key is about 64 cm long.

Somebody has an idea for what this could have been served?

Marc

[Old Tom]

Hello,

Do you mean this tool is like a single ended spanner or wrench - what the French call a cle plat, if my memory serves? Is the gap between the faces of the spanner about 80mm? If it is, it suggests a spanner for something like a 2 inch diameter bolt or screw. I would guess that might be for part of the recoil system.

Tot seen

Old Tom

[marc coene]

Hello,

Do you mean this tool is like a single ended spanner or wrench - what the French call a cle plat, if my memory serves? Is the gap between the faces of the spanner about 80mm? If it is, it suggests a spanner for something like a 2 inch diameter bolt or screw. I would guess that might be for part of the recoil system.

Tot seen

Old Tom

Hello, meanwhile I took a picture of the spanner.The faces are only a about 54 mm.So still a question where it could be served for?

Marc

[Pete1052]

I'm inclined to regard it as a big wrench for use on heavy equipment and not something that is a special tool specifically for 9.2-inch guns.

[truthergw]

I'm inclined to agree with Pete. Its a ruddy great spanner for throwing in the works perhaps. The army were keen on marking stuff. Are there any marks on it? A broad arrow perhaps.

[David B]

Tom,

I cant resist this but HMG were rather keen on the broad arrow for marking. Look at all the nice folk who were marked thus a

couple of hundred years ago and sent out here, Cheers

David

[nigelfe]

It's quite easy to find out. 9.2 was unchanged until it went out of service in WW2 (assuming the tools for the different Mks were the same). This means you'll find it in the handbook, not sure about the WW1 editions but certainly in 26|Manuals|860 HANDBOOK for the B.L. 9.2-INCH MARKS I & II HOWITZERS on MARKS I & II CARRIAGES LAND SERVICE 1931 LONDON PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONARY OFFICE Price 7s 6d net

Inconveniently I only copied selected pages dealing with matters of interest to me, which excluded tools.

[marc coene]

It's quite easy to find out. 9.2 was unchanged until it went out of service in WW2 (assuming the tools for the different Mks were the same). This means you'll find it in the handbook, not sure about the WW1 editions but certainly in 26|Manuals|860 HANDBOOK for the B.L. 9.2-INCH MARKS I & II HOWITZERS on MARKS I & II CARRIAGES LAND SERVICE 1931 LONDON PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONARY OFFICE Price 7s 6d net

Inconveniently I only copied selected pages dealing with matters of interest to me, which excluded tools.

Heool,

Thanks for the message. If possible i'm also interested in info about the 9.2"guns as the stood here on the farm where we live.The info you say is difficult to reach for us here in Ypres. It would be very appreciated if you could forwarded some of the info.The gun itself the shells and fuses used, the fuse needed to send the shell away, method of directing, all interest me.

Thanks,

Marc