The Canon de 194 mm Modèle 1893–1896 was a turret mounted medium-caliber naval gun used as the primary armament of a number of armored cruisers of the French Navy during World War I.
| Canon de 194 mm Modèle 1893–1896 | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) One of the two single turrets aboard the Gloire. | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1893–? |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | World War I |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1892 |
| Produced | 1893–1896 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.6 t (13.9 short tons) |
| Length | 8.12 m (26.6 ft) |
| Barrel length | 7.7 m (25 ft) 40 caliber |
| Shell | separate-loading, bagged charge |
| Shell weight | 75–90 kg (165–198 lb) |
| Caliber | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Elevation | -6° to +15° |
| Traverse | -150° to +150° |
| Rate of fire | 2 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 840–875 m/s (2,760–2,870 ft/s) |
Design
editThe mle 1893–1896 guns were typical built-up guns of the period with several layers of steel reinforcing hoops. The guns used an interrupted screw breech and fired separate loading bagged charges and projectiles.
Naval service
editShips that carried the Mle 1893–1896 include:
- Gloire class – The primary armament of this class of five armored cruisers consisted of two, 194/40 guns, in single turrets, fore and aft.
- Gueydon class – The primary armament of this class of three armored cruisers consisted of two, 194/40 guns, in single turrets, fore and aft.
- Léon Gambetta class – The primary armament of this class of three armored cruisers consisted of four, 194/40 guns, in twin turrets, fore and aft.
- Jeanne d'Arc – The primary armament of this armored cruiser consisted of two, 194/40 guns, in single turrets, fore and aft.
- Pothuau – The primary armament of this armored cruiser consisted of two, 194/40 guns, in single turrets, fore and aft.
Ammunition
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The Mle 1893–1896 used separate-loading ammunition with a bagged charge weighing 33.8-kilogram (75 lb).
| Shell type | Weight | Muzzle velocity |
|---|---|---|
| Armor-piercing, capped | 90 kg (200 lb) | 840 m/s (2,800 ft/s) |
| Common shell | 75 kg (165 lb) | 875 m/s (2,870 ft/s) |
| Semi-armor-piercing, capped | 89.5 kg (197 lb) | 840 m/s (2,800 ft/s) |
References
edit- Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-84832-100-7.