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I am trying to find some info on sealing the water jacket. I am good for the chamber end, but I am lost on how to seal the muzzle end. I found some good info at www.mg0815.com but still lost on the front half. If some one has pics that they could share that would be great.


David

The packing well can be filled with different types of packing. I use one strand removed from a 1/4" four strand industrial valve packing rope, which is graphite impregnated cotton. One strand is aboiut 1/8" OD. The length required varies from gun to gun, but not by much, and I usually start with a 12" length of packing string. Apply a water repellent grease or equivalent to the packing string and the muzzle and then wind the string around the muzzle clockwise (oriented facing the muzzle). The grease will keep it against the muzzle. Using a piece of narrow, flat shim stock or metal push the wound length of packing into the well until it is flush with the endcap and then screw the booster into the endcap. The threaded flange on the booster will push the packing further into the well. Hand tighten the booster.
With the fusee cover/spring off the gun, pull the crank backwards and feel if there is resistence. If there is no resistence, add another six inches and repeat the pull test. Usually that is enough packing to fill the well with the booster hand tight. If it is too tight, push and pull the action back and forth feeling if it loosens up a bit. If you cannot move the action, then you need to remove the booster and with a pick extract the end of the packing and cut off a couple inches. The resistence should be light but firm with the booster hand tight. You can use a spring guage such as was supplied with the Vickers, 1910s and other similar weapons and note the level where the resistence is correct for future packs. Note the measured length of the packing that is installed when it is correct.
Keep in mind that when the booster is wrench tightened and the gun has fired twenty or thirty or more rounds the packing will loosen up from the heat and the friction. It will take some several packing sessions to get it absolutely right, and erlyy attempts will result in some leakage, but just keep the water level high to protect the barrel.

Bob Naess