If we're following Roland's Development Tech Tree this is 75% logical sense, that's probably a WWI or WWII ship so kinda low tech, So I accept it.
The only thing that makes me a little iffy is did he found oil? I know canola oil can be as substitute for grease/lubricant
(
Not the exact video I watched but still related)
But how about the shock absorber? Without them the recoil could be nastyThey i