340mm/28 Modèle 1881 gun explained

340mm/28 Modèle 1881
Origin:France
Type:Naval gun
Is Ranged:YES
Is Artillery:YES
Is Uk:YES
Service:1881-1922
Used By:France
Weight:52.2t[1]
Length:9.7m (31.8feet) L/28.5 calibres
Cartridge:Separate loading bagged charges and projectiles
Cartridge Weight:AP: 925.9disp=flipNaNdisp=flip
Common: 771.6disp=flipNaNdisp=flip
Caliber:340mm
Velocity:1969disp=flipNaNdisp=flip
Breech:Interrupted screw

The 340mm/28 Modèle 1881 gun was a heavy naval gun of the French Navy.

History

The type was used in single mountings on the ironclads of the Marceau class, and on the Hoche.

Railway guns

Canon de 340 modèle 1881/84 à glissement
Origin:France
Type:Railway gun
Is Ranged:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Service:1919-?
Designer:Schneider
Design Date:1917
Manufacturer:Schneider
Production Date:1918
Number:8
Weight:187t
Part Length:9.7m (31.8feet) L/28.5 calibres[2]
Cartridge:Separate loading bagged charges and projectiles
Cartridge Weight:430kg (950lb)
Caliber:3400NaN0
Rate:1 round every five minutes
Velocity:430m/s
Max Range:19km (12miles)
Breech:Interrupted screw breech
Recoil:Carriage recoil
Carriage:Two six-axle bogies
Elevation:+3° to +40°
Traverse:None

Eight guns were converted from naval use to railway guns by Schneider and designated Canon de 340 modèle 1881/84 à glissement. The conversions were ordered during 1917 but they weren't delivered until January 1919 after the war had ended. The guns were suspended from two six-axle rail bogies and used carriage recoil known as the glissement system. The guns had no traverse mechanism so aiming was done by drawing the guns across a section of curved track.[3]

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

External links

Notes and References

  1. French gun tables quoted in Brasseys Naval Annual 1901
  2. Book: Hogg, Ian. Allied artillery of World War One. 2004. Crowood. 1861267126. Ramsbury. 218. 56655115.
  3. Book: Miller, H. W. . Railway Artillery, vols. I and II. Government Printing Office . 1921 . Washington . 193–196.