Good question! The lever was removed after loading, because with the lever the barrel doesn't fit the carriage. The breech has holes, one of these should hold the lever. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any pictures of the type of lever used.
As for the cartridge casings, I always assumed that the two brown things that were on the barrel transport cart were the casings, but I am not sure..
'Had any thoughts about modelling the unique barrel transport cart?' Well, yes: My thoughts were: Bloody hell, that would be difficult to draw... So I have no plans to draw this one yet, but I must admit, it is a very interesting vehicle..
With kind regards,
-Arie.
-- Edited by Arie Dijkhuis on Monday 16th of September 2019 08:46:09 PM
I never realised that the breach was opened in two stages, thanks for pointing that out! That the technology is a mixture of 1880's and 1900's technology is no surprise. The barrel is from 1899, so snugly fits both periods...