4.7 inch Gun M1906

4.7in Field Gun M1906
Type Field gun
Place of origin United States
Service history
Used by United States
Wars World War I
Production history
Designed 1906
Specifications
Weight 8,780 lb (3,980 kg)
Barrel length Bore : 129.22 inches (3.282 m) L/27.5
Total : 134.92 inches (3.427 m)

Shell 60 lb (27 kg)
Caliber 4.7 in (120 mm)
Carriage box trail
Elevation -5° to +15°
Traverse
Muzzle velocity 1,700 ft/s (520 m/s)
Maximum firing range 7,270 yd (6,650 m)

The 4.7in Field Gun M1906 was designed and issued by the US Army Ordnance Department in 1906.

Design

Barrel construction
Breech mechanism

The design was orthodox for its time with a box trail and hydro spring recoil system. When the United States entered World War I 60 had been produced and issued to the army. Once the US entered WWI the US Army came under pressure to adopt French artillery systems and the 4.7in Field Gun was rechambered to fire French 120mm ammunition. The switch to French 120mm ammunition eased logistical problems due to the availability of French ammunition. However the decision to change ammunition upset production and only 16 new pieces were finished before the end of the war.

Ammunition

Ammunition included a base-fuzed common steel shell containing 3.36 pounds (1.52 kg) of TNT, and a shrapnel shell containing 711 230-grain (15 g) balls with a 31-second combination fuze and optional tracer.

Surviving examples

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

References

External links

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