This damage to
the mantlet trunnions
is quite distinctive
and still visible (see p35),
but how significant is it?

You could still elevate and depress the gun, so it may not have been that bad,
but once again
it was not until ABRO
began the restoration process
that the extent of
the damage was revealed.

The large cylinder at the bottom
of this picture is described in
the British report on Tiger 131 as
the Gun Balance Spring Casing.

In effect it is a counter-balance to offset the weight of the gun, it contains a large compression spring and is adjustable.

It is located on the right side of the turret, just above turret ring level and attached to the mantlet by the complicated bracket, visible on the right.