15cm. lang schwere Feldhaubitze 1913/02
Restoration
The 15cm. lg. s.F.H. 1913 with iron farm implement wheels welded onto the original hubs. No portion of the howitzer was functional at this point.
The breechring which was later attached to the barrel.
The breech block.
A machineist at TIC's Machine Shop in Savannah, GA with the 15cm. lg. s.F.H. 13 barrel before attaching the breechring.
A rear view of the 15cm lg sFH 13 with the recoil/barrel group stripped out.
A side view of the 15cm lg sFH 13 with the recoil/barrel group stripped out.
A close up that shows the elevation mechanism and incorrect wheels with the recoil/barrel group removed.
Elevation mechanism.
The brake lever.
The brake leaver and axle.
The hydro-spring recoil mechanism being pulled back into battery. Two "come-a-longs" where needed to pull the springs back into place. The same incorrect iron wheels are still on the howitzer in this photograph.
The howitzer with the barrel fitted back onto the cradle/recoil group. The re-built equilibrators are the shock absorber like pieces just to the front of the trunnions. These keep a percentage of the weight off the gearbox and make elevation easier.
The breech is seen fitted into the breechring. Also both equilibrators are evident in this photo.
Ralph and Leon Lovett with the 15cm lg sFH 13 after three years of restoration work.
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All images, research, and text are sole property of Ralph Lovett.