Abstract: An automatic loading device consisting of a magazine of rounds of ammunit, a tray and rammer assembly to receive a round from the magazine as the gun tube recoils from firing a previous round, means responsive to counter recoil movement of the gun tube for moving the tray into position for loading a round into the gun chamber, cable means for releasing a rammer mechanism to exert forward movement against the round to move it forward into the gun chamber and close the gun breech. A fluid drive means retracts the rammer to cocked position during recoil to enable it to operate (move the round forward) during counter recoil of the gun tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus to locate nd indicate visually the position of a floating piston while inside its cylinder without the aid of movable means exterior of the cylinder and is especially usable in locating the floating piston separating the compressible gas from the hydraulic fluid in the recuperator cylinder assembly of the recoil-counterrecoil mechanism in a large caliber weapons system, such as the howitzer.