10 cm K 14 explained

10 cm Kanone 14
Origin:German Empire
Type:Field gun
Is Artillery:yes
Service:1915–1918/191511945
Used By:
Bulgaria
Wars:World War I
Designer:Krupp
Design Date:1912-14
Manufacturer:Krupp
Production Date:1915-18
Number:724
Weight:2,820 kg (6,217 lbs)
Part Length:4.725abbr=onNaNabbr=on L/35
Cartridge:separate-loading, cased charge
Caliber:105 mm (4.13 in)
Range:12,085 m (13,092 yards)
Breech:semi-automatic horizontal sliding-wedge
Recoil:hydro-spring variable recoil
Carriage:box trail
Elevation:-5° to +45°
Traverse:

The 10 cm Kanone 14 (10 cm K 14) was a field gun used by Germany and Bulgaria in World War I.

Design

The 10 cm Kanone 14 was designed by Krupp and was intended to replace the 10 cm K 04. It was essentially a heavily modified version of the gun it was intended to replace, but it was designed to be able engage targets on the ground and in the air. Its firing platform was intended to give it a fast 360° traverse. Its elevation was 15° greater than the 10 cm K 04, and due to recoil problems associated with firing at high angles, it was designed with a heavy and complicated variable recoil system. To improve its accuracy when employed in the anti-aircraft role, it was fitted with a double elevation sighting system.

Production

It was placed into production on the outbreak of World War I and the first guns had been delivered by May 1915. It was used as a field gun by both Germany and Bulgaria. It could be transported in one load by a team of six horses, with the baseplate carried on the trails. Two batteries worth were modified to be broken down for use in mountainous terrain. Despite the modifications for its intended dual role as an anti-aircraft gun, it proved to be a complete failure in that respect.

References