New German Naval Guns 1939-1945

German Naval Guns
German Naval Guns

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Modern Weapons (1980 to Present)
German Ammunition, Guns and Mountings Definitions
155 mm/52 MONARC Hamburg
Lütjens Class (USN Charles Adams

5"/54 Mark 42 (USA)
Class)
Deutschland (1960), Hamburg and Köln

100 mm/55 M1953
Classes
Bremen, Brandenburg and Sachsen

76 mm/62 Compact (Italian) Classes
Modern Schnellboots
40 mm/70 Bofors Model 1958 Modern Warships
35 mm/1000 Millennium Danish Combat Support Ships
27 mm MLG 27 Modern Warships
20 mm/65 Mark 20 Rh202 Modern Warships

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Historical Weapons
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http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_Main.htm (1 of 5)7/20/2006 14:41:32

German Naval Guns
Battleship Main Guns
40.6 cm/52 SK C/34

"H" Class
42 cm/48 SK C/40
38 cm/52 SK C/34 Bismarck and Schlachtschiff "O"Classes
38 cm/45 SK L/45 Ersatz Yorck and Bayern Classes
35 cm/45 SK L/45 Mackensen Class
Helgoland, Kaiser, König and Derfflinger

30.5 cm/50 SK L/50
Classes
30.5 cm/52 Pattern 1907 Volya
28 cm/54.5 SK C/34 Scharnhorst (1938) Class
28 cm/52 SK C/28 Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class
28 cm/50 SK L/50 Moltke and Seydlitz Classes
28 cm/45 SK L/45 Nassau and Von der Tann Classes
28 cm/40 SK L/40 Deutschland Class (1904)

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Cruiser / Destroyer Main Guns and Battleship / Cruiser Secondary

Guns
Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Fürst

24 cm/40 SK L/40
Bismarck and Prinz Heinrich Classes
21 cm/45 SK L/45 Blücher (1909)
Victoria Louise, Prinz Adalbert, Roon and

21 cm/40 SK L/40
Scharnhorst (1907) Classes
20.3 cm/60 SK C/34 Hipper, Prinz Eugen Classes
17 cm/40 SK L/40 Deutschland (1904) Class

German Naval Guns
Z23 and Z37 "Narvik" Destroyer Classes

15 cm/48 SK C/36
and Z40/SP1 Scout Cruiser Class
Lützow (ex-Deutschland), Scharnhorst

15 cm/55 SK C/28
(1938) and Bismarck Classes
Königsberg (1929), Leipzieg and

15 cm/60 SK C/25
Nürnberg Classes
Most Capital Ships 1908-1918 and

Cruisers as rearmed 1915-1918
15 cm/45 SK L/45
Emden (1925) and AMCs of World War II
15 cm/45 Tbts KL/45 S113 Destroyer Class and U-Boat

15 cm/45 Ubts + Tbts KL 45 "Kreuzer" Classes of World War I
Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Victoria

Louise, Fürst Bismarck, Prinz Heinrich,
15 cm/40 SK L/40
Prinz Adalbert, Roon and Scharnhorst
(1907) Classes
12.7 cm/45 SK C/41 Z46 and Z52 Destroyer Classes
12.7 cm/61 KM40 Shore-based AAA of World War II
Z1, Z17, Z35, Z43 and Z51 Destroyer

12.7 cm/45 SK C/34
Classes
Z1 to Z6 (ex-USN Fletcher Class

5"/38 Mark 12 (USA)
destroyers)
Lützow (ex-Deutschland), Scharnhorst

10.5 cm/65 SK C/33 (1938), Bismarck, "H," Hipper and Prinz
Eugen Classes
Schlesien Class, Emden (1925), Torpedo

10.5 cm/45 SK C/32
Boats, U-Boats and F-Boats
10.5 cm/55 SK C/28 Bremse and Wolf Classes

German Naval Guns
10.5 cm/45 SK L/45 Kolberg, Magdeburg, Karlsruhe,

10.5 cm/45 SK C/06 Graudenz, G96, V170 and U61 Classes
10.5 cm/45 Flak L/45
10.5 cm/45 Tbts L/45 Möwe Class, F-boats, Type 40s and
10.5 cm/45 Ubts L/45 some minesweepers
Grazelle, Bremen (1904), Königsberg

10.5 cm/40 SK L/40
(1907), Dresden and Tiger (1900) Classes
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Smaller Caliber and Anti-Aircraft Guns
8.8 cm/45 SK C/35 Type VII U-Boats
Königsberg (1929), Leipzieg and

8.8 cm/76 SK C/32
Nürnberg Classes
8.8 cm/78 SK C/31 Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class
8.8 cm/45 SK C/30

Small Warships of World War II
8.8 cm/45 KM41
Most Capital Ships, Destroyers and

8.8 cm/45 SK L/45 Torpedo Boats of World War I
8.8 cm/45 Tbts L/45
8.8 cm/45 Flak L/45 Emden (1925), Lützow (ex-Deutschland)
and Königsberg (1929) Classes
8.8 cm/35 SK L/35 Pre-dreadnoughts
Gunboats of the 1900s

8.8 cm/30 SK L/30
8.8 cm/30 Ubts L/30
U-Boats of World War I
Z1 to Z6 (ex-USN Fletcher Class

3"/50RF Mark 33 (USA)
destroyers)
7.5 cm/36 SK C/34 Small Warships of World War II
6 cm/21 C/98
6 cm/21 S-Bts KL/21 Landing Gun
6 cm/21 Bts KL/21

German Naval Guns
5.5 cm/77 Gerät 58 Type 42C Destroyers
Cruisers and Large Torpedo Boats

5.2 cm/55 SK L/55
(1900s)
5 cm/40 Tbts KL/40 Cruisers and Torpedo Boats of 1890s

5 cm/40 SK L/40 UB18 class (type UBII) U-Boats
4 cm/56 Flak 28 Many ships after 1943
3.7 cm/57 M43 Many ships after 1944
3.7 cm/69 M42 Many ships after 1944
Almost all warships between 1930 and

3.7 cm/83 SK C/30
1943
2 cm/65 C/30 Almost all warships between 1930 and

2 cm/65 C/38 1945
2 cm/70 Flak 28 and 29 A few ships between 1939 and 1945
Patrol Vessels and Destroyers 1944 to

8.6 cm Raketen
1945
38 cm Raketenwerfer 61 L/5.4 Coastal Defense 1942

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Back to the Naval Weapons Index Page

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Updated 30 June 2006

German Ammunition, Guns and Mountings

Definitions
By Tony DiGiulian
Updated: 05 November 2005
This document defines the German abbreviations, designations and terms that are found on
these German Naval Gun pages. Thanks to M.J. Whitley, who provided many of these
abbreviations, and to Peter Lienau, who provided several translations.
Ammunition
Geschoss - Projectile
Granate - Shell
Sprenggranate - Explosive shell
Leucht geschoss or Lg. - Star shell or illumination projectile.
Leuchtspur - Tracer.
Patrone - Cartridge.
Pfeilgeschoss - Arrow Shell. A fin-stabilized HE projectile.
Psgr. - Panzersprenggranate. Armor Piercing shell (AP or APC).
Spr.gr. Bdz. - Sprenggranate mit Bodenzünder. HE with Base Fuze.
Spr.gr. Kz - Sprenggranate mit Kopfzünder. HE with Nose Fuze.
Spr.gr. Bdz u. Kz - Sprenggranate mit Bodenzünder und Kopfzünder. HE with both Base and
Nose Fuzes.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_projectiles.htm (1 of 4)7/20/2006 14:41:33

L (as in "L4,2") - Lange. "Length." The length of the projectile in calibers (multiples of the
diameter of the projectile).
(mh) or (mhb) or (m.Hb) - mit haube. "Cap." This term is used to designate a projectile that
has a windscreen (ballistic cap).
Ad.gr. - Adolph granate. Special projectile for the 40 cm SKC/34 coastal artillery guns known
as "Adolph."
Si.gr. - Siegfried granate. Special projectile for the 38 cm SKC/34 coastal artillery guns known
as "Siegfried."
Hauptkartüsche - "Main Charge." Most German guns of 8 inches (20.3 cm) and larger caliber
had the propellant divided into two parts, the "fore charge" in a silk bag (see below) and the
"main charge" in a brass cartridge. These were usually rammed together. Brass cartridge
cases were replaced by steel during the war.
Vorkartüsche - "Fore Charge." This was in a double silk bag. During World War I, it was
common to use double brass bands to stiffen the bag, but this was abandoned prior to World
War II as it was believed that metallic deposits in the bores had caused split liners.
RP - Rohr-Pulver. "Tube powder," the descriptive designation given to German gun

propellants. These propellants were manufactured in the form of hollow tubes. The
propellants were classified by model year and by the external and internal diameters of the
tubes in millimeters. For example, "RP C/38 (14/4.9)" meant a tube powder first introduced in
1938 that had an external diameter of 14 mm (0.551 in) and an internal diameter of 4.9 mm
(0.193 in). There were several compositions used from 1912 to 1945. Earlier ones used
nitroglycerin while later ones used diethylene glycol dinitrate which was cooler-burning and
less bore erosive. All were resistant to exploding even when exposed to a hot fire. For
instance, the small battleship Gneisenau was bombed at Kiel in 1942 and had over 23 tons (24
mt) of propellant ignited in a forward magazine. There was no explosion even though turret
"Anton" was lifted at least 20 inches (50 cm) from its mounting by the gas pressure. The
British did extensive studies of RP C/12 after World War I and developed "Solventless
Cordite" (SC) based upon the results.
Wolfram - Tungsten.
World War I Muzzle Velocities - German range tables for this period were developed for
muzzle velocites using propellant temperatures of 15 degrees Centigrade (59 degrees
Fahrenheit) and those velocities are used throughout my webpages. As the actual propellant
temperature was about 10 degrees higher, about 10 mps (30 fps) should be added to the

muzzle velocities given for German 28 cm through 38 cm guns.
Guns
C - Construktionsjahr. "Year of Construction." Year that design or manufacturing started.

Usually shown with a number, such as "C/38" meaning that design was started in 1938. This
was also spelled as "Konstruktionsjahr" and some Krupp guns purchased by Austria-Hungary
in the 19th century used a "K" instead of a "C" in the designation.
FLAK - FliegerAbwehrKanone. Literally means "Flier Defense Cannon." Designation used for
AA weapons (FLAK guns). During World War I, this term was used by Allied airmen to
describe the shell bursts from such weapons, which has become the current accepted
meaning of the term.
Gerät - "Equipment." Used to identify experimental weapons during World War II. Usually
used together with an identifying number.
KM - Kanone Marine. "Naval Cannon." Usually followed by the year in which it was designed.
For example, "KM42" meant a naval gun designed in 1942. This designation system was used
for some guns designed between 1940 and 1945.
L (as in "L/45") - Lange. "Length." Length of the gun barrel in multiples of the bore diameter.
SK - Schnelladekanone or Schnellfeurkanone. "Fast Firing Cannon," equivalent to QF or RF.

Also listed as being for "Schiffskanone" or "Ship Cannon." Usually followed by the year in
which it was designed. For example, "SK C/34" meant that the weapon was designed in
1934. This designation system was used for most guns designed between 1920 and 1940.
TBK - Torpedoboots Kanone. "Torpedo Boat Cannon." Also shown as "Tbts K."
UBK - Untersee-Boots Kanone. "U-boat Cannon." Also shown as "Ubts K."
Mountings
BSG - Bettungschiess-Gerüst. "Platform firing framework." These were mountings for large

caliber guns used as coastal artillery and resembled a railway mounting without the rail
bogies. They were supported on a concrete platform by a central pivot and ball race with a
roller or bogie at the rear running on a circular arc.
Dopp MPL - Doppelt Mittel-Pivot-Lafette. "Twin central pivot mounting."
DrhL - Drehscheiben-Lafette. "Turntable mounting." Generally used for turret mountings.
Drh Tr - Drehturm. Another abbreviation for "Turret."
Kst.Drh.L - Küsten-Drehscheiben-Lafette. "Coastal turntable (turret) mounting." A type of

mounting for coastal artillery weapons.
MPL - Mittel-Pivot-Lafette. "Central pivot mounting."
Schiessgerät - "Firing Equipment." Description used for some coastal artillery mountings.
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For other definitions and information, see Gun Data
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Back to the German Naval Guns Page

German 155 mm/52 MONARC
German
155 mm/52 (6.1") MONARC
Updated 05 May 2006
This was a joint demonstration project by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW),

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall W&M. Standing for "MOdular Naval
ARtillery Concept for Naval Gun Fire," MONARC is a 155 mm/52 (6.1") PzH 2000
howitzer turret that has been mounted on the deck of the German Frigate Hamburg
as a feasibility study for naval applications.
The 155 mm/52 (6.1") gun was developed by Rheinmetall Industrie AG and has a
chromium-plated barrel. It uses a semi-automatic wedge type breech mechanism
with an integrated 32-round standard primer magazine. Gun parameters such as
chamber temperature are monitored automatically. The muzzle velocity is
determined automatically by means of a radar sensor and is used in the fire control
computation. Modular propellant charges are used, with up to six "bags" being
used per shot, depending upon the range to the target. These modular charges are
said to allow faster handling, cause less wear on the gun and have a lower
sensitivity to ignition hazards.
The gun positioning and laying system is produced by Honeywell Maintal and is
mounted on the gun cradle. The system automatically determines gun direction,
position and elevation above sea level with a built-in Global Positioning System
(GPS) receiver.
From a HDW Press Release of February 2003:
"From the standpoint of naval architecture, the main challenge

encountered in integrating the turret onto the deck of a frigate consists
of having to mount a big gun onto a relatively small vessel. It is not so
much the weight o f the turret that is a problem: after all, the medium-
calibre turrets already in place weigh nearly as much. Furthermore, the
space requirement both above and below deck is no greater than that
of a conventional 76 mm naval gun. The real problem lies in the effects
of recoil on the structure of the ship. The necessary reduction in recoil
force is to be achieved through a temporal extension of force
transference by means of an elastic mounting."
"By using a flexible mounting rather than rigidly fixing t he turret to the
deck in the conventional manner, the impact of residual acceleration on
the structure of the ship during firing is expected to remain at an
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acceptable level. Since the turret is essentially self-sufficient, all that is

required is a 24-volt power connection and a secure link to the
operations room and the bridge. In addition, the ammunition storage
and handling systems will have to be modified. Furthermore, in order
to compensate for the movement of the ship, the gun-laying system will
have to be stabilised."
Land trials were successfully completed during 2003. Shipboard trials took place
during 2004.
The MONARC turret was removed from Hamburg prior to her commissioning on 12
December 2004 and she now has a standard 76 mm Compact mounting as do her
sisterships.
155 mm/52 MONARC on German Frigate FGS Hamburg

Photograph copyrighted by HDW

155 mm/52 MONARC prototype at Rheinmetall proving range in Unterlüß in June 2003
Note the elaborate "Flexible Mounting" required
Photograph copyrighted by Rheinmetall W&M GmbH
Gun Characteristics
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Designation 155 mm/52 (6.1") MONARC
Ship Class Used On Prototype on FGS Hamburg

Date Of Design 2003

Date In Service N/A
Gun Weight N/A
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length about 317 in (8.060 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 1,403 in3 (23 dm3)
Rate Of Fire
about 10 to 12 rounds per minute
(see Note 2)
Notes:
1) A key difference for this weapon is that it uses standard NATO modular charges.
This allows compatibility with the land weapons, at the cost of a slower rate of fire.
Almost all current naval gun systems use single-piece cartridges with less complex
handling requirements in order to achieve higher rates of fire.
2) The automatic shell loading system has a pneumatically-driven flick rammer and
automatic digital control, ammunition supply management and inductive fuze setting.
This system can achieve rates of fire as fast as 3 rounds in less than 10 seconds.
During firing tests in October 1997 with an improved autoloader, a PzH 2000 fired 12
rounds in 59.74 seconds and 20 rounds in 1 minute 47 seconds.
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Ammunition
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Type Semi-bagged
Projectile Types and Weights
HE - 98 lbs. (44.5 kg)
(see Note 2)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge N/A

Muzzle Velocity N/A

Working Pressure N/A
5 modular charges: 5,000 rounds
Approximate Barrel Life
6 modular charges: 2,500 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun
N/A
(see Note 2)
Notes:
1) Standard NATO 155 mm (6.1") ammunition includes high-explosive projectiles,

bomblets, smoke and illuminating rounds. Future developments include smart and
cargo rounds, such as those already in service in the US Army.
2) The automatic shell loading system used on the PzH 2000 can handle 60 rounds of
155 mm ammunition.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 98 lbs. (45.5 kg) Shell
32,800 yards (30,000 m) with full six
Range @ 45 degrees
module charge
. With rocket-assisted Shell
N/A 43,750 yards (40,000 m)
Note: A new generation of artillery ammunition is currently being worked on by
Rheinmetall W&M. The design goal is to achieve ranges of over 87,500 yards (80,000
m).
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Mount / Turret Data

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Designation N/A
Total: N/A
Weight
PzH 2000 Turret by itself: 16.5 tons (18 mt)
Elevation N/A
Elevation Rate N/A

Train N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Note: Shipboard mounting only requires 24 Vdc.
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Data from
HDW Press Releases
Rheinmetall W&M GmbH Press Releases
Army Technology
"MONARC - 155mm Artillery for Frigate Size Ships" by Dr. Joseph Kruse, Director Business
Development, Rheinmetall W&M GmbH,
presented at the NDIA 39th Annual Gun & Ammunition Missiles & Rockets Conference &
Exhibition
Off-Site Resources
HDW Video (wmv) of Installation of PzH 2000 Turret onto Hamburg

Video File in WMV format, playable with Windows Media Player

USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
United States of America

5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
Updated 21 May 2006
The Mark 42 was the standard USA single 5" (12.7 cm) gun mount of the post World War II-era. Developed as a replacement for
the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) twin mount, it used a more powerful round and fired as fast as both guns in that older mount combined. The
gun was developed from the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12 and the 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 16 and shared similar features such as the
vertically sliding breech block and the interruped-screw (bayonet joint) barrel mounting. This weapon is alternatively fed from
right and left ammunition drums. These are independent systems feeding a single breech and barrel, effectively creating 1.5 guns.
Most Mark 42 mounts originally had two "frog-eye" local fire control domes, one on each side. The one on the right was for anti-
aircraft and the one on the left was for surface firing. Many of the AA domes were removed in the 1960-70s as local control
against high-speed aircraft was considered to be nearly impossible.
During the Vietnam War, the Mark 42 developed a reputation for jamming during protracted firing due to the complex nature of the
loading mechanism. Slowing the rate of fire greatly reduced the problem. Later upgrades increased the rate of fire, but not as
high as the original figure.
This weapon is fairly heavy and manpower intensive, both defects in a weapon of only secondary importance on a missile ship.
Although later mods reduced the manning requirement down from 20 to 12 crewmen, this is still higher than the newer and more
automated 5" (12.7 cm) Mark 45 mount.
Nomenclature Note: In the late 1940s, the USA changed from designating guns by the gun itself over to designating by the gun
mounting. "Mark 42" is actually the gun mount designation, the designation of the weapon itself is "5-in/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 18."
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USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
USS Hull DD-945 during sea trials in 1958

Note that these mounts have both local-control domes
USS Hull was later the test ship for the 8"/55 (20.3 cm) Mark 71
Photograph copyrighted by Bath Iron Works
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Click here for additional pictures
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USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
Gun Characteristics
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5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 18 (Gun)
Designation
5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42 (Mount)
First used on USS Northampton CLC-1
Many US Warships 1950s to 1980s

Ship Class Used On
Exported to Japan where they were used on many DD and DDG ships
Spanish Andalucia class frigates

Date Of Design About 1950
Date In Service 1954
Gun Weight (tube and liner) 5,662 lbs. (2,550 kg)
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore and Barrel Length 270.0 in (6.858 m)
Rifling Length 229.07 in (5.820 m)
Grooves N/A
Twist Uniform RH 1 in 25
Chamber Volume N/A
As designed: 40 rounds per minute in automatic mode
Derated after 1968: 28 rounds per minute
Rate Of Fire
With the latest alterations:
Single side operation: 17 rounds per minute
Two side operation: 34 rounds per minute
Note: The Mark 18 differed from the earlier 5"/54 Mark 16 by having a 21 inch (53.3 cm) longer slide cylinder and a modified band
seat.
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Ammunition
USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
.
Type Separate
Projectile Types and Weights See Table below
Conventional: See Table below
Bursting Charge
RAP - 3.8 lbs. (1.7 kg)
HC - 26 in (66 cm)
Projectile Length
RAP - 26 in (66 cm)
Propellant Charge 18.25 lbs. (8.3 kg)
Muzzle Velocity 2,650 fps (808 mps)
Working Pressure 18.5 tons/in2 (2,758 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life 3,070 rounds
700 rounds
(see Note 5)
Notes:
1) The rocket motor in the Mark 58 RAP round burned for 34 seconds.
2) In addition to the above types, a laser-guided shell, Deadeye, was developed primarily for shore bombardment. However, this
program was cancelled in 1989.
3) Misfires are semi-automatically removed.
4) The illumination round burns for approximately 50 seconds.
5) This mount is fed by two loader drums which each hold twenty rounds of ammunition.
.
Types of Projectiles
.
AAC HC Illum HE Com VT
Type
Mark 41 Mark 41 Mark 48 Mark 42 Mark 41

USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
69.45 lbs. 69.33 lbs. 69.2 lbs. 70.00 lbs. 69.19 lbs.
Shell Weight
31.505 kg 31.448 kg 31.389 kg 31.751 kg 31.384 kg
7.75 lbs. 7.75 lbs. Parachute 2.14 lbs. 7.87 lbs.
Charge
3.515 kg 3.515 kg Flare 0.971 kg 3.570 kg
.
Range
.
Elevation With 70 lbs. (31.75 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 10 degrees 13,000 yards (11,887 m)
AA Ceiling @ 85 degrees 51,600 feet (15,728 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Single Mounting: Mark 42
Mod 9 and Mod 10
Fully loaded: 145,930 lbs. (66,193 kg)
Weight Without ammunition and fluid: 129,159 lbs. (58,586 kg)
Other Mods: N/A

Elevation -15 / +85 degrees
Elevation Rate 25 degrees per second
Train about +150 / -150 degrees
Train Rate 40 degrees per second
Gun recoil 18.75 in (47.6 cm)

USA 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 42
Loading Angle Any

Notes:
1) The Mark 42 Gun Mount was produced in 10 different Mods. Mods 1 through 6 were the first mounts to enter service and were
used on USS Northampton (CLC-1) and DL-2 through DL-5. The Forest Sherman (DD-931) class were originally equipped with
Mods 7 and 8. The Mod 8 mount had a radar system integrated into the mount which was never really successful. The radars were
removed at the first overhaul and the mounts reverted to a Mod 7 designation. The Mod 9 mounts were first introduced on the Knox
(FF-1052) class frigates and were a lighter design using all solid-state electronics. Only two men were needed in the gunhouse in
this Mod versus four for the Mod 7. The Mod 10 mounts were an upgrade of the Mod 7 mount and entered service in 1970's.
2) Later mods were lighter and had lower manning requirements, falling from 20 men in the original Mod 0 to 13 in the Mod 9 and to
12 in the Mod 10 (gun captain and 11 crewmen).
3) This mounting operates from 440 Vac 60 Hz three phase.
4) This mounting consists of two component groups: The lower structure (below deck) and the upper structure (above deck). Lower
structure components include parallel two-stage hoist/loader drum arrangements that deliver an uninterrupted flow of ammunition to
the gun. Upper structure components load the ammunition, aim the gun, fire the ammunition and eject the empty powder cases. The
lower structure was originally produced by the US Navy Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville, Kentucky. The two ammunition loading
systems in the lower component group feed the gun alternatively. Each system has a cartridge drum and a projectile drum, with each
drum holding twenty units of ammunition. The drums usually rotate together, but the shell drum can rotate independently of the
cartridge drum, which allows different ammunition to be selected during the loading cycle. The projectile and cartridge are mated
when they leave their respective drums and the complete round moves from the lower to the upper hoist and then to the upper hoist
and finally to the a cradle which swung up to throw it into a transfer tray from which it is rammed into the breech. The only manual
element of this system is the placing of the cartridges and projectiles into the loading drums.
.
Data from
"Jane's Pocket Book 9: Naval Armament" edited by Denis Archer
"Dahlgren" by Kenneth G. McCollum, Editor
"US Naval Weapons" and "The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" both by Norman Friedman
---
United Defense Press Releases
---
Special help from Leo Fischer

French 100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1953 and Model 1964
French
100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1953
100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1964
Updated 21 May 2006
In effect, this gun replaced both the single 127 mm and the twin 57 mm weapons used on previous ships.
The French Navy considers that a 100 mm (3.9") cannon fires a shell heavy enough for shore
bombardment yet light enough for the gun to achieve a rate of fire sufficiently high enough to engage fast-
moving aircraft.
The Model 1953 used an analog FCS with an electro-mechanical computer and was the first French-
designed automatic medium caliber gun. In this weapon, the first shell had to be manually loaded. The
recoil forces generated by its firing allowed subsequent rounds to be automatically handled.
The Model 1964 had an improved fire control system and a higher rate of fire.
These mountings can be distinguished from the later 100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1968 by the dual operator
cupolas on the front face, one on each side of the gun.
French destroyer Suffren

Photograph copyrighted by J.A. Jedrlinic
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German destroyer Schleswig - Holstein

Bundesarchiv Photograph

German Frigate Köln (F.220)

The dual control cupolas can be easily seen in this photograph
Gun Characteristics
.
100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1953
Designation
100 mm/55 (3.9") Model 1964
French: Jeanne d'Arc, Suffren and Surcouf Classes
Ship Class Used On
German: Deutschland, Hamburg and Köln Classes
Date Of Design 1953
Gun Weight N/A
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length 216.5 in (5.500 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Model 1953: 60 rounds per minute
Rate Of Fire
Model 1964: 78 rounds per minute
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round 51.8 lbs. (23.5 kg)

OEA F1 HE - 29.8 lbs. (13.5 kg)

Projectile Types and Weights OPF F4 PFHE - 29.8 lbs. (13.5 kg)
Illum - 29.8 lbs. (13.5 kg)
HE - 2.4 lbs. (1.1 kg)
Bursting Charge PFHE - 2.2 lbs. (1.0 kg) - Shell contains 1,350 high density steel balls of 1
gram each
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete round - 42.7 in (108.5 cm)
New gun - 2,844 fps (867 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Average gun - 2,805 fps (855 mps)
3,000 rounds at high rates of fire
6,000 rounds at lower rates of fire
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Note: Illumination round burns between 30 and 50 seconds at 120,000 candela.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 29.8 lbs. (13.5 kg) HE Shell
Maximum Range @ 45 degrees 18,876 yards (17,260 m)
Effective Range 13,120 yards (12,000 m)
AA Ceiling 19,700 feet (6,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mounts
French
Surcouf (2): Model 1953
Designation
Suffren (2) and Jeanne d'Arc (2): Model 1964
German
Deutschland (4), Hamburg (4) and Köln (2): METL 53
Weight N/A
Elevation -5 / +90 (?) degrees
Rate of Elevation N/A
Train -150 / +150 degrees
Rate of Train N/A

Gun Recoil N/A

.
Data from
"Jane's Fighting Ships: 1966-67" edited by Raymond VB Blackburn
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" and "Naval Radar" both by Norman Friedman
"Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q. Cutshaw
"Defense & Armament Heracles International" Issue #70, February 1988
and
Tony DiGiulian's personal files
---
"Le canon de 100mm" article by Franck Dubey webpublished at Netmarine.net
Marine Nationale Press Releases and Articles
---
Special help by Matthew Rodchenko and Hans Migielski of Fregatten Köln

Italian 76 mm/62 (3") Compact, SR and USA 76 mm/62 (3") Mark 75
Italian
76 mm/62 (3") Compact
76 mm/62 (3") SR
---
76 mm/62 (3") Mark 75
---
Japan
76 mm/62 (3") Compact
Updated 21 May 2006
One of the most popular naval guns ever produced, with OTO-Melara reporting that about 1,000
Compact and SR guns were in service in 51 navies around the world as of December 2002. This
weapon is produced under license in Australia, India, Japan, Spain and USA. It is
manufactured in the United States by United Defense (now part of BAE Systems), in Japan by
Japan Steel Works and in Spain by FABA (formerly IZAR, formerly Bazán).
Under USN nomenclature, the Compact is designated as the Mark 75. USN ships use the Mark
92 FCS which is the USN's version of the Signall M20 series FCS. The Naval Systems Division
(NSD) of FMC Corporation and General Electric Co. (Ordnance Systems Division) were both
licensed by OTO-Melara and competed for the right to manufacture the Mark 75 in the United
States. In 1975, FMC/NSD (now part of United Defense) won the competition and the first gun
mount produced in the United States was delivered in August 1978. Since 1981 all Mark 75
orders for the USN were competed for by FMC/NSD and OTO-Melara.
The Compact was developed from the earlier 76 mm/62 M.M.I. mounting and uses a two-piece
water-cooled barrel with a replaceable liner. The gun is fitted with a small-hole muzzle brake
and fume extractor. The shield is made of fiberglass.
There are reports that the Compact has reliability and accuracy problems. When fired at
maximum ROF, there is a tendency for the mount to "self-destruct," in the words of one of the
Project Engineers who worked on the weapon. During a test shoot, the weapon was unable to
hold a 20-round burst on a 20 x 20 foot (6m x 6m) target at 500 yards (460 m).
The "Super Rapid" (SR) is an improved, faster-firing version designed specifically for anti-ship
missile defense. Accuracy was improved compared to the Compact, partly by reducing the
weight of the moving parts. OTO-Melara claims that these changes have reduced the standard
deviation values to less than 0.3 milrads (0.017 degrees) at 1,000 m (1,100 yards) per burst of 10
rounds when fired at the maximum ROF.
The gun shield for the SR is a rounded design similar to that for the Compact. However, this
similarity is only skin-deep as the SR mounting has been strengthened in order to resist
overpressures up to 14 psi (1.0 kg/cm2) vs. a 7 psi (0.5 kg/cm2) rating for the Compact

mounting. As an option, both the Compact and the SR are available with a boxier-looking
reduced radar cross section (RCS) gun shield and one of these was used to arm the French-
built Saudi Arabian frigate Makkah.
To achieve the higher rates of fire for the SR, OTO-Melara modified the ordnance itself as well
as the ammunition feed and fuzing. As a result, existing Compact mountings cannot be
converted to the SR standard, but a retrofit kit is available that does increase the ROF for the
older weapon. The magazine for the SR is independent of the turret, which means that the feed
can be interrupted to insert different kinds of ammunition, making the gun more flexible against
multiple targets.
The Italian Navy considers the SR to be an effective anti-missile weapon and new ships are
being built with this weapon in place of the twin "Fast 40" used on earlier ships in that role.
OTO-Melara estimates that, combined with the Dardo FCS, the SR can begin engaging attacking
missiles at about 6,600 yards (6,000 m), with the first rounds arriving on target at 6,000 yards
(5,500 m). With these ranges, a single gun can deal with up to four subsonic sea-skimmer
missiles, arriving simultaneously on courses 90 degrees apart, before any reaches 1,100 yards
(1,000 m).
As of this time (March 2006), the USN has no plans to use the SR version. Existing ships will
continue to use the Compact and newer ships are being fitted with the 57 mm Mark 110.
Compared with the USN 5" (12.7 cm) and Italian 127 mm (5") guns, these weapons cannot fire
any of the more sophisticated munitions as they use a much smaller projectile. Compared to
the older USN 3" (7.62 cm) and Italian 76 mm (3") M.M.I. guns, this weapon has far lower
manning requirements and carries a much larger supply of ready-service ammunition, allowing
the gun to fire longer bursts without reloading. As the Compact and SR mountings are very
nearly unmanned, they can fire at very short notice, about five to ten seconds from a cold start.
OTO-Melara is now offering the DAVIDE anti-missile system for both new installations and as a
retro-fit kit to existing mountings. This system is designed to allow these guns to act as an
inner-defense against sea-skimming or diving supersonic and subsonic missiles. The system
will be used in conjunction with the steerable DART anti-missile projectile and provides a
continuous data stream to all projectiles in flight.
Actual bore diameter of all guns is 76.2 mm (3.00").

76 mm (3") Compact on SAS Isaac Dyobha

Photograph courtesy of Comdr. Graham Harrison, Commanding Officer
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Italy: 76 mm/62 (3") Compact and SR
Designation
USN: 76 mm/62 (3") Mark 75

Compact
USN: Oliver Hazard Perry class
Used by fifty nations
Super Rapid
Ship Class Used On
Italy: Animoso and Audace
Royal Netherlands Navy: M-class frigates
Danish: Standard Flex 300
Singapore: 62 m attack craft
Canada: Tribal class
Compact: About 1963
Date Of Design
Super Rapid: N/A
Compact
First introduced in 1964
USN Mark 75 Introduction: 1971
Date In Service
Super Rapid
About 1988
Gun Weight (tube and liner) 1,686 lbs. (765 kg)
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length 186 in (4.724 m)
Rifling Length 158 in (4.012 m)
Grooves 24
Lands N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Compact and Mark 75: 80 - 85 rounds per minute (in automatic
mode)
Rate Of Fire
Compact with retrofit kit: 100 rounds per minute
SR: 120 rounds per minute (139 achieved on trials)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed

Compact
All types - 13.88 lbs. (6.296 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights Super Rapid

SAPOM - 14.0 lbs. (6.35 kg)
SAPOMER - 14.6 lbs. (6.6 kg)
DART - 8.8 lbs. (4.0 kg)
HE -MOM: 1.65 lbs. (0.75 kg)
SAPOM: 1.01 lbs. (0.46 kg) Compound A3 HE
Bursting Charge
SAPOMER: 1.15 lbs. (0.52 kg) HEXAL-30
DART: 0.88 lbs (0.4 kg)
HE-MOM: 13.98 in (35.5 cm)
SAPOM: 14.4 in (36.6 cm)
Projectile Length
SAPOMER: 14.78 in (37.6 cm)
Complete Round - 35.45 in (90.04 cm)
Cartridge 76.2 mm x 635.5 mm
Muzzle Velocity 3,000 - 3,024 fps (914 - 925 mps)
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun Compact: 80 ready rounds on mount
(see Note 4) SR: 85 ready rounds on mount
Notes:
1) The HE-MOM round is pre-fragmented to enhance the splinter effect.
2) Misfires must be manually removed.
3) SR Ammunition includes: Multirole pre-fragmented HE-MOM and HE-PF-OM, semi-armor

piercing HE-SAPOM, semi-armor piercing extended range HE-SAPOMER, pre-fragmented and
new Course Corrected Anti-Missile Shell CCAMS. SAPOM and SAPOMER projectiles use base
fuzes. MOM-type rounds use tungsten cubes as penetrators.
4) The Compact uses a single main feed drum which holds 70 rounds. This feeds a central screw
hoist which holds six rounds. The hoist leads up to a loading station below the left trunnion. Two
arms alternate picking up rounds and placing them into a breech loading drum that holds four
rounds. The drum feeds rounds onto a loading tray which also receives the spent cartridge.
5) DART stands for "Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of flight." This is a sub-caliber, guided
projectile with canard control, intended to improve the performance of these guns in the
antimissile role. DART is scheduled for service introduction in 2007. OTO-Melara claims that an
average of only three of these projectiles are needed per engagement. The proximity fuzes for

this munition are said to be effective within 6 feet (2 m) of the water surface and are designed to
trigger when within 30 feet (10 m) of the target. A November 2005 OTO-Melara Press Release
stated that firing trials with DART had been performed at PISQ (Poligono Interforze Salto di
Quirra), an Italian interservice firing range located in Sardinia. During the firing trials, the DART
projectiles correctly entered and followed the guidance beam and manuevered within the
accuracy requirements for distances over 5,500 yards (5,000 m). This is seen as a crucial
milestone, as these tests showed that DART can be successfully guided over the expected
engagement ranges.
.
Range
.
AA @ 85 degrees 13,200 feet (4,000 m)
Elevation With 14.3 lbs. (6.5 kg) SAPOM
Elevation With 14.6 lbs. (6.6 kg) SAPOMER
Elevation With DART
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mountings
Designation Italy: Compact and SR
USN: Mark 75
Compact (without ammunition): 16,400 lbs. (7,439
kg)
SR (without ammunition): 16,800 lbs. (7,620 kg)
Weight
Compact including ammunition and off-mount
components: 18,783 lbs. (8,520 kg)
Train unlimited (uses a slip ring)


Gun recoil N/A
Notes:
1) The complete Mount is a single piece installation and consists of the shank which is below the
weather deck, the turret on the main deck, and a servo-systems control and distribution box. The
complete mounting may be divided up into two component groups: The lower structure (below
deck) and the upper structure (above deck). Lower structure components deliver an
uninterrupted flow of ammunition to the gun. Upper structure components load the ammunition,
aim the gun, fire the ammunition and eject the empty powder cases.
2) These mountings are normally controlled remotely, but there are provisions for an emergency
local control with a stabilized line-of-sight system for the operator.
3) Mountings need an electrical supply of 440V, 3-phase, 60 Hz to power the main circuit while
the servo and synchro network require a 115V, 1-phase, 400 Hz supply.
4) Mountings are unmanned but require two to three crewmen below deck to reload the revolving
magazine.
5) The SR mount performs several operations in parallel that in the Compact were performed in
sequence. The recoil length and the firing cycle have been shortened and ramming is not part of
the sequence in which the spent cartridge is ejected.
.
Data from
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q.
Cutshaw
---
IZAR Press Releases
OTO-Melara Press Releases
US Navy Fact File

Sweden 40 mm/70 (1.57) Model 1948, Sea Trinity and Mark 3
Sweden
Bofors 40 mm/70 Model 1948, Model 1958, Sea Trinity and Mark 3
Updated 18 July 2006
Developed from the Bofors 40 mm/60 Model 1936, this weapon was designed to replace the older
weapon's twin mountings with single mounts by doubling the rate of fire (ROF). Newer, faster-firing
versions of this weapon are still in production by Breda as well as Bofors. All of these 40 mm/70 guns
use gravity feed magazines whose designs are directly descended from those for the 40 mm/60 Model
1936.
Breda has produced this weapon under license since 1969. The company has specialized in automatic
loading mechanisms which are also used for their own designs, as can be seen on the 40 mm/70
OTOBreda page.
The current-day Mark 3 version can be integrated with any analog or digital fire control system. This
mounting is normally unmanned and controlled from the combat information center but can be locally
controlled from an on-mount operator's console for aiming and will remain fully stabilized by the gun's
local gyros. In case of total power supply failure, the gun can be layed and fired manually.
Although an impressive AA gun in the late 1940 to 1960 time frame, the value of such MG AA weapons
has decreased since World War II with the increasing sophistication of stand-off anti-ship weapons
such as the USA's Harpoon. For that reason, Bofors has developed more sophisticated ammunition
such as the 3P round which can be set for point contact or proximity detonation. These improvements,
together with a better FCS, allow these weapons to be used against sub-sonic cruise missiles.
Bofors is now a division of United Defense.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNSweden_4cm-70_m1948.htm (1 of 8)7/20/2006 14:41:41

40 mm/70 Sea Trinity Mockup

Picture copyrighted by Bofors Defence

40 mm/70 Mark 3 in low RCS mounting

Sketch copyrighted by United Defense
40 mm/70 Bofors Mark 3


Comparison of Bofors 57 mm Mark 3 (left) and 40 mm Mark 3 guns

Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 40 mm/70 (1.57") Model 1948, Sea Trinity and Mark 3
Model 1948: Tre Kronor and other Swedish Warships
Model 1958: German warships since the 1960s

Ship Class Used On
Sea Trinity: N/A
Mark 3: N/A
Date Of Design 1948
Model 1948: 1952
Date In Service
Others: N/A
Gun Weight about 386 lbs. (175 kg)
Gun Length N/A
Bore Length about 110.2 in (2.800 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves 16

Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Model 1948 and Model 1958: 240 rounds per minute.
Rate Of Fire Sea Trinity: 300 rounds per minute
Mark 3: 330 rounds per minute

.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
PFHE: 5.4 lbs. (2.5 kg)
Weight of Complete Round HE-T: 5.3 lbs. (2.4 kg)
3P: 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg)
PFHE: 1.94 lbs. (0.88 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE-T: 2.12 lbs. (0.96 kg)
3P: 2.42 lbs. (1.1 kg)
HE-T
0.254 lbs. (0.115 kg)
Bursting Charge 3P
4.2 oz (120 g) Octol
1,100 tungsten pellets of 0.12 in (3 mm)
diameter
Projectile Length 8.3 in (21 cm)
Complete Round Length 21.4 in (53.44 cm)
Cartridge 40 mm x 365R
HE-T: 3,297 fps (1,005 mps)
PFHE: 3,363 fps (1,025 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
3P from L/70: 3,320 fps (1,012 mps)
3P from Trinity: 3,610 fps (1,100 mps)
Ammunition stowage per gun Mark 3: 101 rounds per magazine

Notes:
1) The Mark 3 uses a dual compartment 101-round magazine. The magazine can be rapidly switched to
provide options between the latest Bofors 6 mode programmable 3P rounds and other 40 mm L/70
ammunition types.
2) Bofors 40 mm 3P ammunition fuze options allow 3 proximity modes as well as settings for time, impact
and armor piercing requirements.
3) Proximity fuzing is greater than 33 feet (10 m) for aircraft, 16 feet (5 m) for missiles and 10 feet (3 m)
for sea skimmer targets.
4) Tracer burns for about 4 seconds.

.
Model 1948 Range

.
PFHE: 1.94 lbs. (0.88 kg)
Elevation HE-T: 2.12 lbs. (0.96 kg)
3P: 2.42 lbs. (1.1 kg)
Maximum Horizontal Range 13,120 yards (12,000 m)
.
Sea Trinity Range

.
Effective AA range 3,280 yards (3,000 m) against low flying aircraft
Effective CIWS range 2,740 yards (2,500 m) against a sea skimming missile
.
Mark 3 Range
.
Effective range against surface targets 9,140 yards (10,000 m)
Effective CIWS range 2,740 yards (2,500 m) against a sea skimming missile
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation See notes, below.

Model 1948: Weight between 6,173 to 7,275 lbs.

(2,800 to 3,300 kg) depending upon the version.
Sea Trinity: 8,157 lbs. (3,700 kg)

Weight
Mark 3
Above deck (excluding ammunition): 7,700 lbs.
(3,500 kg)
Below deck: 770 lbs. (350 kg)
Model 1948: -5 / +90 degrees
Elevation Sea Trinity: -20 / +80 degrees
Mark 3: -20 / +80 degrees

Model 1948: N/A
Rate of elevation Sea Trinity: 45 degrees per second
Mark 3: 57 degrees per second

Train 360 degrees
Model 1948: N/A
Rate of Train Sea Trinity: 85 degrees per second

Gun Recoil N/A
Notes:
1) Bofors 40 mm Sea Trinity was conceived as a lightweight CIWS with low magnetic signature and
enclosed in a manned or unmanned stealthy gunshield. Trinity Spartan uses an off-mount fire control
while Trinity normally has an on-board FCS with several options including the Goalkeeper FCS or the
Ericsson Eagle radar.
2) The Model 1948 and Sea Trinity mountings employ open shields with the option of a GRP weather
cover. SAK-40/L70-315 is manually (hand) operated. SAK 40/L70-300 may use the Breda 144 round
magazine. SAK 40/L70-350 is power operated, fully stabilized and remotely controlled. SAK 40/L70-600
employs the Sea Trinity 99 round magazine and has a 330 RPM rate of fire. All German Navy guns have
been upgraded to this standard. British Royal Navy plans for single, twin and sextuple versions (Mark's
10, 11 and 12) of the 40 mm/L70 gun were cancelled in 1957 in favor of Sea Cat. The Mark 3 is a new
Stealthy mounting based on the Sea Trinity.
3) The Mark 3 operates from 440 Vac 60 Hz three phase power.
4) The Model 1958 was a modernized Model 1948 first used by the Bundesmarine (Federal Republic of
Germany) on former Fletcher class (DD-445) destroyers supplied under the US military assistance
program. Used in both single and twin versions and still in use today on Schnellboots and Minecraft.
.

Data from
---
Bofors Defence Press Releases
---
Special help from Matthew Rodchenko, Joakim Wohlfeil, Mark Fitzpatrick, Leo Fischer and Hans Migielski of
Fregatten Köln

German 35 mm/1000 Millennium
German / Switzerland
35 mm/1000 KDG Millennium GDM-008
Updated 21 May 2006
Gas-operated revolver cannon with four chambers. These guns are fitted with triple-coil muzzle velocity gauge and fuze-setter
for use with Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) projectiles. The first two coils are located 3.9 inches (10 cm)
apart and measure the exact projectile velocity. This is then used to calculate the fuze setting so as to achieve the proper flight
time. The third coil then imparts this data to the fuze via a electro-induction system. The fuze itself is a high-precision timer
which detonates the expelling charge at a given distance in front of the target.
Lockheed Martin has become the U.S. licensee to Oerlikon Contraves for sale and manufacture of the gun systems. The USN
is currently (2005) performing evaluation testing of this weapon system.
The "1000" in the designation is an apparent reference to the rate of fire, the gun barrel length is actually about 79 calibers.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_35mm-1000_Millennium.htm (1 of 5)7/20/2006 14:41:43

Millennium 35 mm Naval Gun System (GDM-008)

Note the triple-coil muzzle velocity gauge and fuze setter
Photograph copyrighted by Oerlikon Contraves AG
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Gun: Oerlikon 35 mm/1000 KDG
Designation
Mounting: Millennium GDM-008
Ship Class Used On Royal Danish Navy: Combat Support Ships (CSS)
Date Of Design about 1995
Gun Weight N/A
Gun Length oa N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 1,000 rounds per minute cyclic
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round AHEAD: 3.90 lbs. (1.77 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights AHEAD: 1.65 lbs. (0.750 kg)
Bursting Charge AHEAD: N/A (uses 152 sub-projectiles of 3.3 gms each)
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete Round - AHEAD: 15.23 in (38.7 cm)
Propellant Charge 0.73 lbs. (0.33 kg) NC 01 T 35 (single based)
Cartridge 35 x 288 mm
Muzzle Velocity AHEAD: 3,445 fps (1,050 mps)
Working Pressure 24.6 tons / in2 (3,875 kg / cm2)
Ammunition stowage per gun 200 ready rounds on mount
.
Range
.
Keep-out Ranges With 1.65 lbs. (0.75 kg) AHEAD Shell
Fighter aircraft/attack helicopters 3,830 yards (3,500 m)
Guided missiles/cruise missiles 2,190 yards (2,000 m)
Anti-radiation and sea-skimmer missiles 1,640 yards (1,500 m)
Note: Flight time for AHEAD at a muzzle velocity of 3,445 fps (1,050 mps):
1.05 seconds for 1,090 yards (1,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Millennium GDM-008
Weight 7,055 lbs. (3,200 kg) including 200 rounds of ammunition
70 degrees per second maximum
Elevation Rate
Acceleration 130 degrees per second2

Train 360 degrees

120 degrees per second maximum
Train Rate
Acceleration 160 degrees per second2
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
---
"Scaleable Lethality Weapons: Requirements for Military & Naval Forces" by Andrew A. Bradick, presented at the NDIA 39th Annual Gun
& Ammunition Missiles & Rockets Conference & Exhibition
"Oerlikon Ammunition for New Defense Environment" by Allan Buckley, Director Product Management, RWM Schweiz AG, presented at
the NDIA 40th Annual Armament Systems: Guns - Ammunition - Rockets - Missiles Conference & Exhibition
---
Lockheed Martin Press Releases
Oerlikon Contraves AG Press Releases

German 27 mm/145 MLG 27
German
27 mm MLG 27 Light Naval Gun System
Updated 21 May 2006
This is the navalized version of the 27 mm BK 27 aircraft gun used on the

Tornado and Gripen fighter aircraft. Fire control is provided by a system from
STN Atlas Elektronik with target tracking, fire control computation as well as gun
control performed from a remote operator console. Sensors include a thermal
imager, TV camera, laser range finder and automatic target tracking system with
a video tracker.
This weapon was designed by Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Waffensysteme GmbH, a

Rheinmetall DeTec subsidiary, to replace older 20 mm and 40 mm guns and the
mounting does not require deck penetration. Can be operated remotely or locally
with a joystick. 83 of these weapons have been ordered by the German Navy.
This weapon is a gas-operated automatic revolver cannon. Can be assembled for

either left- or right-hand feed, and uses linkless ammunition with a case recovery
system.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_27mm-145_mlg27.htm (1 of 7)7/20/2006 14:41:44

27 mm MLG 27
Photograph copyrighted by Rheinmetall AG

Gun Control System


Muzzle View
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 27 mm MLG 27 Light Naval Gun System

122, 123 and 124-class frigates, 332 and 333-class minehunters

and minesweepers, 352-class mine countermeasures ships, 404-
Ship Class Used On
class tenders and 702-class supply ships
Planned for K 130 corvette class
Date Of Design about 1990 (Original aircraft design)
Date In Service 2003 (Navalized Version)
Gun Weight 37.5 lbs. (17kg)
Gun Length oa 91 in (2.310 m)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Number Of Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 1,700 +/-100 rpm cyclic, lower training rates possible
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round FAPDS - 1.14 lbs. (0.516 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights FAPDS - 0.57 lbs. (0.260 kg)
Bursting Charge
None (Frangible Bullet)
(see Note 1)
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete Round - 9.6 in (24.3 cm)
Muzzle Velocity 3,600 fps (1,100 mps)

Ammunition stowage per gun 90 rounds on mount

Notes:
1) The Frangible Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) round is used only with the
Naval mount and consists of a brittle tungsten alloy penetrator ejection molded in a
plastic sabot with a integral plastic band. The penetrator is designed to fragment even
at low impact angles against thin plates. After the penetrator has punched through the
outer shell of a hard or soft target (including those made of composite materials), the
round disintegrates into fragments, which then progressively break up into a cascade of
ever-smaller particles. The result is a high-energy cloud of fragments intended to cause
severe damage to the interior of the target.
2) Aircraft use HE and HE-SD ammunition.

.
Range
.
Against small, highly agile surface targets, helicopters
2,730 yards (2,500 m) effective
and sub-sonic aircraft
Against on-shore targets and warships 4,370 yards (4,000 m) max
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Single Mount MLG 27
Weight 1,874 lbs. (850 kg)
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A

Notes:
1) This mounting features a Gyro system which is LOS (Line of Sight) stabilized in two
axes and powered by brushless servo-motors.
2) Although this weapon does not require deck penetration, it does require an 115 Vac
@ 60 Hz electric supply.
.
Data from
"Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and
Charles Q. Cutshaw
---
Mauser-Oerlikon Press Releases
Rheinmetall AG Press Releases

German 20 mm/65 Mark 20 Rh202
German
20 mm/65 (0.8") Mark 20 Rh202
Updated 21 May 2006
Developed for the German Army in the 1960s and used on Marder Armored
Personnel Carriers. Adapted for ship-board use in the 1970s. Gas-operated with
a rigid bolt, this weapon is designed for minimal recoil forces and long barrel
life. Originally built by Rhinemetall.
20 mm/65 Mark 20 Rh202 on Naval Mount

Picture copyrighted by Mauser Weapon Systems
20 mm/65 Mark 20 Rh202
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_mk20.htm (1 of 4)7/20/2006 14:41:45

Picture copyrighted by Mauser Weapon Systems
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation Gun: 20 mm/65 (0.8") MK 20 DM 5
Ship Class Used On Present-day German warships
Date Of Design 1962 (1973 Naval Version)
Date In Service 1974 (Naval Version)
Gun Weight 167.5 lbs. (76 kg)
Gun Length oa 120.9 in (3.070 m)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 1,000 rounds per minute cyclic
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round N/A
HE-T: 0.3 lbs. (0.134 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights AP-T: 0.3 lbs. (0.134 kg)
APDS-T: 0.3 lbs. (0.134 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
N/A
Projectile Length
Length of Complete Round: 8.4 in (21.3 cm)

Cartridge 20 x 139 mm NATO

HE-T: 3,440 fps (1,050 mps)
Muzzle Velocity AP-T: 3,600 fps (1,100 mps)
APDS-T: 3,770 fps (1,150 mps)
Ammunition stowage per gun Ammunition in 200 round belts
.
Range
.
Range @ 45 degrees 2,200 yards (2,000 m) effective
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Rheinmetall single pintle fork mounting: S
Designation 20 and SV 20
Norwegian Single Mounts: KV-Sk/20
Rheinmetall S 20
Without gun or ammunition: 617 lbs. (280
kg)
With gun and 200 rounds ammunition:
948 lbs. (430 kg)
Weight
Rheinmetall SV 20
N/A
Norwegian
Without ammunition: 880 lbs. (400 kg)
Rheinmetall: -10 / +55 (or +60) degrees
Elevation
Norwegian: -15 / +70 degrees
Elevation Rate Manually operated, only
Train 360 degrees

Train Rate Manually operated, only

Gun recoil N/A
Note: The Norwegian version is based upon the FK20-2 field-gun mounting. Norway
also uses this gun in their coastal defense units to provide protection to larger guns
from land and air attacks.
.
Data from
---
Mauser Weapon Systems Press Releases
Rheinmetall AG Press Releases

German 40.6 cm/52 (16") SK C/34 and 42 cm/48 (16.5") SK C/40
German
40.6 cm/52 (16") SK C/34
42 cm/48 (16.5") SK C/40
Updated 21 May 2006
These guns were intended for the "H" class battleships which were laid down in 1939 but never completed. This rifle
was a good design but could be said to have had an excessively high muzzle velocity, hence giving it minimal deck
penetration even at long ranges.
There were three versions of this weapon; the original prototype for proof and experimental testing; the naval version
for the "H" battleships; and the coast artillery version, also known as Adolph. The coast artillery version had a similar
construction to the naval version but with a larger chamber. At least some and perhaps all of the naval guns were
converted over to the coastal artillery version. An interesting feature of the coast artillery version was that, although
employed in single BSG mountings, the guns were still completed in both left and right versions, thus showing their
naval heritage.
A total of ten of the 40.6 cm (16") guns were actually produced. Seven of these guns were employed as coastal artillery
in Norway to protect Narvik and Tromsø, with three guns being emplaced as "Battery Dietl" on the island of Engeløya
and four guns mounted at Trondenes near Harstad. At the end of the war, the four Trondenes guns were taken over by
the Norwegian Army along with 1,227 shells. A German gun crew trained the Norwegians in their use, and the guns
were actively used for about a decade. The battery was last fired in 1957 and then formally taken out of commission in
1961. The guns then sat idle and were placed on sale for scrapping in 1968. The three guns at Battery Dietl were
scrapped, but the four at Trondenes remain and one of them is open as a museum at Trondenes Fort.
Two of the other three guns were initially used in Poland and later at Hela to protect Danzig. All three guns were
eventually used as Battery Lindemann near Sangatte in France where they fired at Dover.
As this gun had a rather thick barrel for its size, during the redesigns of the "H" class battleships during 1941 and 1942
(H-41 and H-42) it was proposed to bore them out and convert them into 42 cm/48 (16.54") weapons. One of the reasons
behind this conversion was to give these ships a larger caliber weapon than those planned for any known Allied
battleship. None of the guns already built were ever converted and no new guns were started. The SK C/40 model year
for this version is my estimate.
Constructed of a loose barrel, which was universally interchangeable between production guns, a loose liner which
only fitted a particular gun, B tube, a jacket over the rear end of B tube, a breech end-piece thrust over the jacket and
kept in place by a threaded ring, a breech block supporting piece inserted in the breech end-piece and secured by a
threaded ring. A retaining ring with two fittings for transmitting rotation forces was screwed onto the rear of the barrel.
Used a sliding breech block, similar to other large-caliber German naval guns.
The data that follows is specifically for the 40.6 cm (16") Naval version except where noted. Actual bore diameter of all
versions was 40.64 cm (16.0").
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_16-52_skc34.htm (1 of 5)7/20/2006 14:41:47

Turret intended for "H" Battleships
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
40.6 cm/52 (16") SK C/34
Designation
42 cm/48 (16.54") SK C/40
Ship Class Used On "H" Class
Date Of Design 1934
Date In Service 1942 as coastal defense guns
Gun Weight 352,516 lbs. (159,900 kg) including hornrings
Gun Length oa 831.9 in. (21.130 m)
Bore Length 777.6 in. (19.750 m)
Naval Guns: 671.9 in. (17.066 m)
Rifling Length
Coastal Guns: 664.2 in (16.871 m)
Grooves (110) 0.236 in deep x 0.323 in (5 mm x 8.2 mm)
Lands 0.277 in (7.03 mm )
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 35.9 to 1 in 29.9
Naval Guns: 25,630 in3 (420 dm3)
Chamber Volume
Coastal Guns: 28,071 in3 (460 dm3)

Rate Of Fire about 2 rounds per minute

.
Ammunition
.
Type Cartridge - Bag
Naval Projectiles
APC L/4,4 - 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg)
HE L/4,6 base fuze - 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg)
HE L/4,4 nose fuze - 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg)
Special Coastal Artillery Projectiles
Adolph HE L/4,2 - 1,323 lbs. (600 kg)
HE L/4,1 base and nose fuze - 1,345 lbs. (610 kg)
APC L/4,4 - about 53.4 lbs. (24.2 kg)
HE L/4,6 base fuze - about 93.1 lbs. (42.2 kg)
Bursting Charge
HE L/4,4 nose fuze - about 181.7 lbs. (82.4 kg)
Others: N/A
APC L/4,4 - 70.3 in (178.6 cm)
HE L/4,6 base fuze - 73.5 in (186.7 cm)
HE L/4,4 nose fuze - 76.7 in (194.9 cm)
Projectile Length
Adolph HE L/4,2 - 67.1 in (170.5 cm)
HE L/4,1 base and nose fuze - 64.7 in (164.4 cm)
Fore: 295.4 lbs. (134 kg) RPC/38 (22/11)
Main: 282.2 lbs. (128 kg) RPC/38 (22/11)
Brass case for main charge: 201 lbs. (91 kg)
During the war, the coastal guns switched to the

Propellant Charge following:
Fore: 361.6 lbs. (164 kg) RPC/40 (12.5/4.2)

Main (heavy shells): 286.6 lbs. (130 kg) RPC/40
(12.5/4.2)
Main (light shells): 452 lbs. (205 kg) RPC/40 (12.5/4.2)
For naval shells: 2,657 fps (810 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
For light coastal artillery shells: 3,445 fps (1,050 mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 180 - 210 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun 120 rounds
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was propellant in a silk bag, and a "main
charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The brass case helped to seal the breech of the gun.
2) The case for the main charge was changed to mild steel late in the war.
3) Fore and Main charges were rammed together.
4) The horizontal sliding breech block weighed 7,937 lbs. (3,600 kg).
5) Actual Projectile designations were as follows:

APC - Psgr. L/4,4 (mhb)

HE base fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,6 Bdz (mhb)

HE nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,4 Kz (mhb)
Adolph HE L/4,2 - Ad.gr. L/4,2 Bdz u. Kz (mhb)
HE L/4,1 base and nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,1 Bdz u. Kz (mhb)
.
Range
.
Elevation With 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg) APC
Range @ 33 degrees
40,245 yards (36,800 m)
(max elevation of naval turret)
Range @ 52 degrees
47,025 yards (43,000 m)
(coastal artillery)
Elevation With 1,323 lbs. (600 kg) Adolph HE
Range @ 52 degrees
61,240 yards (56,000 m)
(coastal artillery)
Note: All of the 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg) projectiles had similar maximum ranges.
.
Armor Penetration with 2,271 lbs. (1,030 kg) AP Shell

.
Range Side Armor Deck Armor
0 yards (0 m) 31.7" (805 mm) ---
10,000 yards (9,144 m) 25.1" (638 mm) 1.4" (36 mm)
20,000 yards (18,288 m) 18.8" (457 mm) 3.2" (81 mm)
30,000 yards (27,432 m) 13.6" (345 mm) 5.0" (127 mm)
40,000 yards (36,576 m) 10.2" (259 mm) 8.5" (216 mm)
Note: This data is from "Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" for a muzzle velocity of 2,657 fps (810
mps) and is based upon the USN Empirical Armor Penetration Formula.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
"H" (4): Drh LC/40
Designation
Single BSG Coastal Artillery
Schiessgerät C/39
Weight 1,452 tons (1,475 mt)
Elevation -5.5 / +30 degrees (see Note)
Elevation Rate N/A
Train +145 / -145 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A

Note: The sources listed below differ as to the actual elevation span. I have chosen to use those figures given in
"German Capital Ships of World War Two."
.
Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare" by Bernard Fitzsimmons
"Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin, Jr.
"German Warships 1815-1945" by Erich Gröner
"Naval Guns: 500 years of Ship and Coastal Artillery" by Hans Mehl
"German Capital Ships of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley
---
Special help from Cliff McMullen, Peter Lienau and Charles Schedel

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
German
38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
Used on the famous Bismarck class battleships, this weapon is usually - but incorrectly - referred to as
being 47 calibers long, but it was actually 51.66 calibers in length. It is also sometimes mistakenly
described as being a carry over from the 38 cm L/45 guns used on the World War I-era Bayern class
battleships. These guns were actually of a completely new design having little in common with the older
guns other than their caliber.
These guns with a modified construction and known as Siegfried were widely used on BSG-mounted
coastal artillery. The best-known of these was Battery Todt with four guns located near Haringzelles and
which often fired across the Straits of Dover. Four more guns were used at Oxsby (Denmark), four at
Hanstead (Denmark) and three at Kristiansund (Norway).
When the Gneisenau was badly damaged in 1943, it was planned to use her three newly-constructed 38
cm twin-turrets, plus an additional one originally intended for the Soviet Union, as coastal artillery. These
were to be installed at Cap de la Hague and Paimpol in France, but this plan was never implemented.
Work on putting two of these turrets at Oxsby in Denmark was well advanced but incomplete by the end of
the war.
Constructed of loose liner, A tube with four rings shrunk over it for about two-thirds of the length from the
breech, a jacket shrunk over about two-thirds of the ring layer and a breech end-piece, breech block
supporting piece and a horizontal sliding breech block.
German Battleship Tirpitz in Alta Fjord, Norway

Note that the main rangefinders are oriented with their arms fore and aft
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 71390
.
.

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
Bismarck and Schlachtschiff "O" Classes
Ship Class Used On
Gneisenau as planned to be rebuilt
Date Of Design 1934
Gun Weight including breech: 244,713 lbs (111,000 kg)
Bore Length 724.6 in. (18.405 m)
Rifling Length 629.2 in. (15.982 m)
Number Of Grooves (90) 0.177 in deep x 0.306 in (4.5 mm x 7.76 mm)
Lands 0.217 in (5.5 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 36 to 1 in 30
Rate Of Fire 2.3 to 3 rounds per minute
Notes:
1) The weight figure above was for early production weapons. Later weapons were 661 lbs. (300 kg) lighter.
2) Guns built for coastal defense had a larger chamber volume of 22,072 in3 (361.7 dm3) and shorter rifling
length of 620 in (15.748 m).
3) Many references claim that this was the fastest firing large caliber gun ever built. The ROF figures above
represent generally published data that would support that claim. However, Krupp official documents cite its
ROF at 26 seconds at a four degree elevation, not notably faster than that of other nations' large-caliber
weapons. Note that at this elevation the range would be considerably less than 10,000 meters. It is
possible that well trained gun crews would reduce this time to the 20 seconds necessary to meet a ROF of 3
times per second.
.
Ammunition
.

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
Ship Projectiles
APC L/4,4 - 1,764 lbs. (800 kg)
HE L/4,5 base fuze - 1,764 lbs. (800 kg)
HE L/4,6 nose fuze - 1,764 lbs. (800 kg)
Special Coastal Artillery Projectiles
Siegfried HE L/4,5 - 1,091 lbs. (495 kg)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 1,124 lbs. (510
kg)
APC L/4,4 - 41.4 lbs. (18.8 kg)
HE L/4,5 base fuze - 71.9 lbs. (32.6 kg)
Bursting Charge
HE L/4,6 nose fuze - 141.5 lbs. (64.2 kg)
Others: N/A
APC L/4,4 - 65.8 in (167.2 cm)
Projectile Length
Siegfried HE L/4,5 - 67.3 in (171.0 cm)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 65.8 in (167.2
cm)
Fore: 219.4 lbs. (99.5 kg) RPC/38 (17/7)
Propellant Charge Main: 248.0 lbs. (112.5 kg) RPC/38 (17/7)
Brass case for main charge: 154 lbs. (70 kg)
For naval shells: 2,690 fps (820 mps)
Muzzle Velocity For coastal artillery shells: 3,445 fps (1,050
mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 180 - 210 rounds (see Note 2)
Ammunition stowage per gun 108 rounds (see Note 3)
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was propellant in a silk bag,
and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The brass case helped to seal the breech of the
gun.
2) With the lighter coastal artillery projectiles, life was increased to nearly 350 rounds.
3) This is the design figure and probably reflects only shell room storage. "German Warships 1815-1945"
says that the actual outfit ranged from 112 to 120 rounds while "German Capital Ships of World War Two"
says the outfit was 130 rounds per gun. These latter figures most likely include "ready rounds" stored in the
handling rooms and gunhouses.
4) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 10 calibers.

APC L/4,4 - Psgr. L/4,4 (mhb)

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
HE L/4,5 base fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,5 Bdz (mhb)

HE L/4,6 nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,6 Kz (mhb)
Siegfried HE L/4,5 - Si.gr. L/4,5 Bdz u. Kz (mhb)
CA SAP L/4,4 - Spr.gr. L/4,4 Bdz u. Kz (mhb)
7) These ships did not carry WGr 4592 projectiles with shaped-charge warheads.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 1,764 lbs. (800 kg) AP Striking Velocity Angle of Fall
2.2 degrees 5,470 yards (5,000 m) 2,385 fps (727 mps) 2.4
30 degrees
39,589 yards (36,520 m) --- ---
(max elevation of turret)
52 degrees
45,932 yards (42,000 m) --- ---
(as coastal artillery)
Elevation With 1,091 lbs. (495 kg) HE Striking Velocity Angle of Fall
52 degrees
60,000 yards (54,900 m) --- ---
Note: Time of flight for APC Shell with MV = 2,690 fps (820 mps)
10,940 yards (10,000 m): 13.9 seconds
21,870 yards (20,000 m): 32.0 seconds
32,810 yards (30,000 m): 55.5 seconds
38,280 yards (35,000 m): 69.9 seconds
.
Armor Penetration with 1,765 lbs. (800 kg) AP Shell

.
0 yards (0 m) 29.23" (742 mm) ---
5,000 yards (4,572 m) 24.26" (616 mm) 0.76" (19.3 mm)
19,685 yards (18,000 m) 16.50" (419 mm) 2.96" (75.0 mm)
24,060 yards (22,000 m) 15.49" (393 mm) 4.15" (104 mm)
29,528 yards (27,000 m) 11.98" (304 mm) 5.02" (126 mm)
Note: The above information is from "Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" for a muzzle
velocity of 2,690 fps (820 mps) and is based upon the USN Empirical Formula for Armor Penetration.

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
.
10,936 yards (10,000 m) 20.08" (510 mm) ---
21,872 yards (20,000 m) 14.33" (364 mm) ---
22,966 yards (21,000 m) 13.78" (350 mm) ---
27,340 yards (25,000 m) 12.13" (308 mm) ---
32,808 yards (30,000 m) --- about 4.70" (120 mm)
38,276 yards (35,000 m) --- about 6.69" (170 mm)
Note: The above information is from "German Capital Ships of World War Two" for a muzzle velocity of
2,690 fps (820 mps) and is based upon German face-hardened (side) and homogenous (deck) armor
penetration curves.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Designation Bismarck (4), Gneisenau (3) and "O" (3): Drh
LC/38
Weight 2,319,253 lbs (1,052,000 kg)
-5.5 / +30 degrees
Elevation
Coastal artillery: -3 / +55 or more degrees
Gun recoil 41.3 in (1.050 m)
Loading Angle +2.5 degrees
Notes:
1) These turrets used electrically powered main training, auxiliary training, auxiliary elevation, auxiliary hoists
and reserve power for some of the loading gear, otherwise they were hydraulically powered by two
electrically driven pumps in each turret. Run out was pneumatic. Emergency hand elevation equipment was
provided.
2) As in all large German mountings, these turrets were supported by ball bearings, not the tapered rollers
preferred by other nations.
3) Distance between gun axes was 108.3 in (275 cm).
4) Each gun was served by a shell cage which picked up the charge cage on its way to the gunhouse. The
hoists came up between the guns and the shells were transferred to the loading tray by rammers. The
charges were carried end to end on a single tray. As the shell was transferred, the charges were moved to a
waiting cage. After the shell was loaded, the waiting cage moved down to the level of the loading tray. The
space between them was bridged by a ramp and the charges were then rolled into the loading tray. Both
charges were rammed together. The auxiliary hoists lifted shells and propellant one after the other in a

German 38 cm/52 (14.96") SK C/34
vertical position and came up to the rear of each gun. These were transferred to a tiltable cage and could be
then loaded by the main rammer. A manual rammer which required between ten to fourteen crewmen to
operate was provided as a backup.
5) There were at least five and perhaps as many as ten ready rounds stored in the back of each turret.
.
Data from
"Schlachtschiff Tirpitz" by Jochen Brennecke
"Naval Guns: 500 years of Ship and Coastal Artillery" by Hans Mehl
Other Resources
Additional information about these weapons may be found in the INRO article, The Loss of HMS Hood

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
German
38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
The most powerful German naval gun of World War I. Used on the Bayern class battleships, which were completed too late to
participate in the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak) and saw little action during the rest of the war.
Those guns planned for the uncompleted Sachsen and Württemberg were instead used on the Western Front where they were
known as "Lange Max" or Long Max. At least five guns were used in the coastal batteries Deutschland and Pommern along the
Belgium coast. The Pommern battery, located at Dunkerque, is perhaps best known for firing about 500 rounds between June
1917 and October 1918 at ranges of up to about 48,000 yards (44,000 m).
The naval mountings for these guns used electric pumps to drive hydraulic elevation gear while the training was all electric.
These guns also had hydraulically worked shell hoists, rammers and breeches.

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
SMS Bayern at Wilhelmshaven in 1917

Bibliothek für Zeitgeschichte (Stuttgart) Photograph

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
SMS Bayern in 1916

Click on this picture for a larger image

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
38 cm/45 as "Long Max" Land Artillery

Photograph courtesy of Images of the Great War

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
Special Coastal Projectile as used with "Long Max"

Photograph courtesy of Images of the Great War
.
Comparison of 30.5 cm/50 and 38 cm/45 guns
.
Picture courtesy of Peter Lienau
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
Ship Class Used On Ersatz Yorck and Bayern Classes
Date Of Design 1913
Gun Weight
about 176,370 lbs. (80,000 kg)
(see Note)
German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45

Grooves 100
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Rate Of Fire 2.5 rounds per minute
Notes:
1) The often-seen figure of 231,483 lbs. (105,000 kg) for this weapon actually includes the weight of the Weige (gun cradle).
2) From "Progress in Gunnery Material, 1921" ADM 186/251:
32. Comparison between British and German Gun Designs
(a) The design of German 38 cm, 42.4 calibre Naval gun mounted in “Baden” has been carefully investigated and
compared with that of the British 15 in. Mark I 42 calibre gun.
(b) The main points of difference between this [German] design and British designs are as follows:
(i) The gun is not relinable.
(ii) Factors of safety are lower. In calculating the strength of the gun at any point, the Germans allow the
steel to be stressed much nearer to its elastic limit that we do in our designs, also the figure of elastic
limit which they take for purposes of calculation is higher than ours. The gun is not serviceable with
barrel split.
(iii) The gun is a Q.F., which permits of radical differences in construction from those necessary at the
breech end of a B.L. gun.
(iv) All-steel construction as against wired type.
(v) Much smaller chamber (Capacity 18,000 cu. In. as compared to our 30,590.)
The effect generally of (i), (ii) and (v) is to lighten the gun considerably.

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
(iii) is a matter of general policy ; there are reasons both for and against Q.F. guns of this calibre
(iv) The advantages of all-steel versus wire-wound guns have been the subject of discussion for a great many years,
and opinions still differ as to which is better than the other from point of view of strength and ballistics ; more recently,
however, it has been considered probable that the smaller droop and greater rigidity of the all-steel type may be a
very important factor in effect on accuracy. The German gun is noticeably stiff in the region of the centre of gravity,
making for small droop and whip ; this is undoubtedly a good point.
(c) As regards (i), the life of our guns (about 325 E.F.C.) is apparently considerably less than that of German heavy
guns owing to their use of cooler propellant. They evidently considered that the life of their guns was long enough to
justify the simpler lighter design which is possible when relining is not intended. Experiments with propellants
generally similar to the German are in hand, but some time must elapse before any can be adopted to replace cordite
M.D. in the Service. Until then it is considered that we should certainly continue to design our guns for relining.
(d) As regards (ii), apparently German designers placed greater reliance on their steel forgings than we do on ours,
and consequently stressed them much more highly. In all large steel forgings there is always a certain factor of
uncertainty which we have allowed for and the Germans have been content to neglect. This is not confined to gun
construction, but it is to be found throughout British engineering practice generally. The high factors of safety used in
this country are considered to be partly due to the above and partly to caution, which may have been brought about
by a few failures of guns in the past caused by faulty building or poor steel, also because there has been no special
demand for light gun. We now call for a factor of safety of 1.5 over the chamber and of 2 forward before the steel is
stressed up to a figure well below the specification yield point (20 tons as against the German 27). Consequently
according to German ideas our factor of safety is 2 or 2.7.
The possibility of reducing the factors of safety in our gun designs has been the subject of discussion recently, and
trials to test whether they are unduly great have been arranged for. Doubtless some reduction will now be possible in
view of the great advance in machining operations and steel treatment made of late years, but improvements
materially affecting our designs can only be adopted gradually. It is confidently anticipated that the forgings for the 16
in. designs will be much superior to what we have had in the past and fully equal to the German, the chief advance
being in improvement in elastic limit and resistance to shock, which latter as evidently been specially attended to by
German steel makers and is now provided for in our specifications for steel forgings.
The effect of these two points (lower factor of safety and high stress in the steel in the German design) is very marked
over the chase with consequent reduction in weight and therefore decrease in the droop – a point already referred to
in para. (b).
(e) As regards (iii), a movement between breech bush and inner tubes in a Q.F. gun with cartridge case is of much
less importance than with B.L. gun and obturator pad in maintaining an effective seal, and this has permitted the
German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
longitudinal stresses being taken direct by the jacket, the breech bush screwing into this instead of into the A tube as
in our designs. This simplifies design and manufacture. It has also permitted the use of short hoops in lieu of a long
B tube, a form of construction that offers many advantages in accuracy of building shrinkage, though at the same time
providing less longitudinal strength, which is poor in the German design according to our ideas.
The fact that the Germans accepted this longitudinal weakness shows that they had great confidence in the
workmanship and skill of their gunmakers, as good results depended entirely on these. Our guns are undoubtedly
easier to build and are so strong circumferentially due to the wire that the accuracy in building shrinkages, necessary
in the German design has not been called for.
(f) As regards (iv), steel and wire construction will be tried out in the trial 16 in. designs, also in trial 6 in. guns to be
manufactured this year.
(g) As regards (v), the small size of chamber is not suitable for a solid cord propellant which we have hitherto adhered
to. The question of adopting a tubular propellant [may be resolved as] various experiments are in progress.
The opinion is now held that the tubular shape makes for higher M.V. but reduced accuracy as regards mean
differences in M.V.
It is more difficult to manufacture to accurate dimensions than cord or oval. Also, with a propellant such as M.D.
cordite which has a volatile solvent (acetone) there would be less uniformity of stick than is obtainable with a
propellant (like the German) with non-volatile solvent. Ardeer cordite has a non-volatile solvent. Again, owing to its
form, a tubular propellant is inherently more susceptible to the influence of variations in ballistic conditions, and thus,
though actual wear may be less, loss of velocity for a fewer number of rounds may be greater.
It is, however, one of the many things that requires further investigation before we can be in a position to decide
finally what to adopt in the future. It is quite certain that we shall be able to improve on cordite M.D.
(h) Apparently the Germans consider it unnecessary to fire proof rounds in testing guns for supply, and, to take this
gun as an example, this certainly permitted them to cut down factors of safety, and therefore weight.
(i) Summarising, the main lessons to be learnt from study of the German design are :-
(i) The possibility of reduced factors of safety being introduced into our designs, especially towards the
muzzle.
(ii) The reduction of droop by (i) combined by the use of all-steel construction with a view to obtaining
greater rigidity and consequently improved accuracy. At the same time distance of centre of gravity of
gun from breech end would probably be decreased, and this would be advantageous as affecting
German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
diameter of barbette and size of mounting generally.
(iii) The need for taking advantage of manufacturing progress and greater knowledge obtained by
experience in ordering trial guns of new designs from time to time, so that when new guns are required
in supply they can be ordered to the most up-to-date designs. Unless this is done, our gun designers
cannot acquire confidence in their designs nor can the gun makers gain experience in building.
(iv) The necessity for constantly revising our specifications to obtain the best possible gun steel, and for
ensuring by strict inspection during manufacture, that specifications are adhered to and that the
workmanship is of the highest standard.
The trial 16 in. guns and experiments in hand on other guns will test some of these points, but the trial guns have
chases with a large factor of safety and the droop is therefore not the smallest obtainable.
(j) It may be of interest to mention here that the trial 16 in. gun under manufacture by E.O.C. weighs practically the
same as a gun of similar calibre that has been designed working to German figures and methods. It will be clear,
therefore, that a good deal has been done already towards reducing weight ; but, although this is very desirable, it
can certainly be overdone, and if the gun is not sufficiently stiff, its accuracy will be less good than one where weight
has been subordinated all through to gunnery considerations. There is no doubt at all as to the importance of
stiffness in a gun.
(k) It is the intention to build, next year, a 6 in. gun to the German design, so far as this can be done without adopting
the Q.F. principle, and to try this gun against our guns of similar calibre.
Ammunition
.
AP - 1,653.4 lbs. (750 kg)
Special Coastal Projectile - 881 lbs. (400 kg)
Bursting Charge about 55 lbs. (25 kg)
Projectile Length AP - about 49 in (124 cm)
(see Note 3) Special Coastal Projectile - about 75 in (190.5 cm)
610.7 lbs. (277 kg) RPC/12
Propellant Charge
Brass case for main charge: 140 lbs. (63.5 kg)
German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
AP - 2,625 fps (800 mps)

Muzzle Velocity
Special Coastal Projectile - 3,412 fps (1,040 mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 300 rounds
Notes:
1) From ADM 186/251, it would appear that the main charge was about 360 lbs. (163 kg) and so the fore charge would be about
250 lbs. (114 kg).
2) The Coastal Artillery Projectile used a long, streamlined nose for maximum range.
3) The length numbers were estimated by comparing the relative sizes of the 30.5 cm and 38 cm projectiles shown in photographs.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 1,653.4 lbs. (750 kg) AP Shell
Range @ 16 Degrees 22,310 yards (20,400 m)
Range @ 45 degrees
42,000 yards (38,400 m)
Coastal Artillery
With Coastal Artillery Streamlined Shell 52,000 yards (47,550 m)
.
Armor Penetration with 1,653.4 lbs. (750 kg) AP Shell

.
10,936 yards (10,000 m) 15.35 in (390 mm) ---
13,670 yards (12,500 m) 13.78 in (350 mm) ---
21,872 yards (20,000 m) 10.43 in (265 mm) ---
27,340 yards (25,000 m) 8.66 in (220 mm) ---

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
Notes:
1) The above information is from "German Capital Ships of World War Two" and is derived from trials conducted in 1938 when
these guns were compared against the 38 cm guns intended for the Bismarck class battleships.
2) There is evidence to suggest that these guns achieved penetrations of 13.23 in (336 mm) at 21,872 yards (20,000 m) against
World War I-era armor.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Designation
Baden (4) and Ersatz Yorck (4): DRH LC/1913
This data is only for Bayern, other ships may be different.
A: 853.7 tons (867,440 kg)
Weight B: 856.1 tons (869,880 kg)
C: 853.3 tons (866,950 kg)
D: 836.8 tons (850,240 kg)
Baden: -8 / +16.0 degrees
Bayern (possibly also Baden): -5 / +20.0 degrees
Elevation
Battery Deutschland reportedly had three BSG mountings
capable of +45 degrees and one BSG mounting capable of +55
degrees
Train About +150 / -150 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A

German 38 cm/45 (14.96") SK L/45
Notes:
1) Each gun had a combined shell and charge cage that ran on rails behind the breeches. These could be used for either gun.
2) Typical of German designs, these turrets ran on ball races containing 144 steel ball bearings of about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in
diameter.
3) Projectile hoists ran directly from the handling room to the gunhouse.
4) ADM 186/251 notes that the shell grabs and the foot grip plating used in the shell rooms were both very efficient and should be
copied in future British designs. However, it also notes that the Auxiliary Loading Chamber was "both a poor and an elaborate
arrangement." The Auxiliary Loading Chamber allowed an "alternate supply of six projectiles per gun to be sent to the gun-house
by means of an electrically driven hoist. There is no ready means of replenishing the secondary loading compartment from the
shell room."
.
Data from
"Big Gun Monitors: The History of the Design, Construction and Operation of the Royal Navy's Monitors" by Ian Buxton
"Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting" by John Campbell
"Battleship Design and Development 1905-1945" by Norman Friedman
"The Big Gun: Battleship Main Armament 1860-1945" by Peter Hodges
"Die Geschichte der deutschen Schiffsartillerie" by Paul Schmalenbach
---
ADM 186/251 (an incomplete copy is at HMS Hood Association Website)
---
Special Help from Peter Lienau
Off-Site Resources
Images of the Great War

Data for use on Land Mountings (in French): Les Canons de l'Apocalypse
HMS Hood Association Website

German 35 cm/45 (13.78") SK L/45
German
35 cm/45 (13.78") SK L/45
Updated 09 May 2006
Planned for the never-completed Mackensen Class battlecruisers. These guns were later employed at Flanders
as field artillery.
Model of Mackensen at the Museum for Marine Science (Berlin)

This model was destroyed during World War II
Photograph copyrighted by Siegfried Breyer
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Mackensen Class
Date Of Design 1914
Date In Service 1917 (as Field Artillery)
Gun Weight
about 162,000 lbs. (73,500 kg)
(see Note)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Note: The often-seen figure of 216,273 lbs. (98,100 kg) for this weapon actually includes the weight of the Weige
(gun cradle).
.

German 35 cm/45 (13.78") SK L/45
Ammunition
.
Projectile Types and Weights APC - 1,323 lbs. (600 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Main Charge: N/A
Propellant Charge Fore Charge: N/A
Brass case for main charge: N/A
When used as Field Artillery, one gun fired
578 rounds without exceeding its service life.
Note: These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was propellant in a silk bag,
and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The brass case helped to seal the breech of the gun.
.
Range
.
Elevation For 1,323 lbs. (600 kg) AP shell
Range @ 16 degrees about 21,870 yards (20,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Designation
Mackensen (4): N/A (Probably Drh LC/1914)
Weight N/A
Elevation -8 / +16.0 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train About +150 / -150 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Battleships of the World: 1905-1970" by Siegfried Breyer
---
Special help from Peter Lienau

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
German
30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
Updated 23 May 2006
These guns were fitted to many battleships and battlecruisers completed just before and after the start of
World War I. When compared to contemporary British guns in terms of penetrating power, they were
superior to the 12"/45 (30.5 cm) and 12"/50 (30.5 cm) guns, and only slightly less powerful than the
13.5" (34.3 cm) guns. They were, of course, completely outclassed by the 15"/42 (38.1 cm) guns used on
the Queen Elizabeth class.
The battlecruisers Derfflinger and Lützow used these weapons at the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak) to sink
the British battlecruisers HMS Queen Mary and HMS Invincible.
The mountings for these guns used electric pumps to drive hydraulic elevation gear while the training
was all electric. These guns also had hydraulically worked rammers and breeches, the first fitted to
German large-caliber guns. These changes increased the rate of fire, with most ships having a ROF of 20
seconds while the Kaiser class were reported to have had an overall ammunition supply speed of three
rounds in 48 seconds, including all transfers.
In World War II these guns were used only as coastal artillery. They were then supplied with a more
streamlined shell and used a larger propellant charge, giving them increased range. The best known
battery was the six-gun Friedrich August at Wangerooge. Later, three of these guns on BSG mountings
were moved to near Wimille on the Channel Coast.
Constructed from shrunk on tubes and hoops and used the Krupp horizontal sliding wedge breech block.
Actual bore diameter was 30.50 cm (12.008").
SMS Helgoland in 1915

The last class of German battleships with a hexagonal layout and no superfiring turrets

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
Aft turrets of SMS König

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
30.5 cm guns on SMS Thüringen
.
Comparison of 30.5 cm/50 and 38 cm/45 guns
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
Ship Class Used On Helgoland, Kaiser, König and Derfflinger Classes
Date Of Design 1908
Gun Weight
114,309 lbs. (51,850 kg)
(see Note)
Grooves 88
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
For 551 lbs. (250 kg) shells: 12,052 in3 (197.5 dm3)
Chamber Volume
For 892.9 lbs. (405 kg) shells: 12,205 in3 (200.0 dm3)
Rate Of Fire 2 - 3 rounds per minute

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
Note: The often-seen figure of 171,079 lbs. (77,600 kg) for this weapon actually includes the weight of the
Weige (gun cradle).
.
Ammunition
.
World War I
APC L/3,1 - 894 lbs. (405.5 kg)
HE L/4 - 894.8 lbs. (405.9 kg)
World War II
APC L/3,1 - 892.9 lbs. (405 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights APC L/4,9 - 915 lbs. (415 kg)
HE L3,8 base fuze - 915 lbs. (415 kg)
HE L/5 base fuze - 915 lbs. (415 kg)
HE L/4,8 nose fuze - 892.9 lbs. (405 kg)
Special Coastal Artillery Projectile

HE L/3,6 base and nose fuze - 551 lbs. (250 kg)
World War I
APC L/3,1 - 30 lbs. (13.6 kg)
HE L/4 - N/A
World War II
Bursting Charge APC L/3,4 - 25.4 lbs. (11.5 kg)
APC L/4,9 - N/A
HE L/3,8 base fuze - N/A
HE L/5 base fuze - N/A
HE L/3,6 base and nose fuze - 32.0 lbs. (14.5 kg)
World War I
APC L/3,1 - 37.4 in (95 cm)
HE L/4 - 48.23 in (122.5 cm)
World War II
Projectile Length APC L/3,4 - 40.8 in (103.7 cm)
APC L/4,9 - 58.8 in (149.5 cm)
HE L/5 base fuze - 60.0 in (152.5 cm)
HE L/3,6 base and nose fuze - 55.1 in (140 cm)

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
World War I
Main Charge: 201 lbs. (91 kg) RP C/12
Fore Charge: 76 lbs. (34.5 kg) RP C/12
World War II (as of 1940)

For APC L/3,4 and HE L/4,8 nose fuze
Main Charge - 188.3 lbs. (85.4 kg) RP C/32
Fore Charge - 91.7 lbs. (41.6 kg) RP C/32
Propellant Charge For HE L/3,6 base and nose fuze

Main Charge - 188.3 lbs. (85.4 kg) RP C/32
Fore Charge - 135.8 lbs. (61.6 kg) RP C/32
Total main cartridge weight: 313 lbs. (142 kg)

Silk bag for fore charge: 5.3 lbs. (2.4 kg)
After 1942 (see Note 3)

APC L/4,9 - 268 lbs. (121.5 kg) RP C/38 (18/8)
HE L/3,6 - 315 lbs. (143 kg) RP C/38 (18/8)
World War I
2,805 fps (855 mps)
World War II
APC L/3,4 - 2,805 fps (855 mps)
Muzzle Velocity APC L/4,9 - 2,789 fps (850 mps)
HE L3,8 base fuze - 2,789 fps (850 mps)
HE L/5 base fuze - 2,789 fps (850 mps)
HE L/4,8 nose fuze - 2,805 fps (855 mps)
HE L/3,6 base and nose fuze - 3,675 fps (1,120
mps)
Helgoland: 85 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun Kaiser: 86 rounds
König and Derfflinger: 90 rounds
Notes:
gun.
2) APC shells were painted blue, HE yellow and Training red. A black painted nose indicated that the shell
was armed.
3) I lack the break down between fore and main charges for the 1942 propellant charges.
4) Actual Projectile designations were as follows. Click on the links for cutaway sketches:
World War I

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
APC L/3,1 - Psgr. L/3,1

HE L/4 - Spr.gr. L/4
World War II
APC L/3,4 - Psgr. L/3,4
HE L/3,8 base fuze - Spr.gr. L/3,8 Bdz
HE L/5 base fuze - Spr.gr. L/5 Bdz
HE L4,8 nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,8 Kz
Main Charge - 30,5 cm Hauptkartüsche
.
Range during World War I

.
Elevation With 894 lbs. (405.5 kg) APC Shell
Range @ 13.5 degrees 17,717 yards (16,200 m)
.
Range during World War II
.
Elevation With 892.9 lbs. (405 kg) APC Shell
Elevation With 915 lbs. (415 kg) APC Shell
Elevation With 551 lbs. (250 kg) CA SAP Shell
Notes:
1) All entries in this table are for coastal artillery batteries. The range data for the 915 lbs. (415 kg) APC
(Heavy) shell is from two different sources, which may account for the large difference in range for only a
slight change in elevation.
2) The APC (Heavy) shell was of much better ballistic shape than the previous ones. It is noted as being "of
longer range" than the older APC, which I take to mean that the newer projectile would have had a longer
range when fired at the same elevation.
.
Armor Penetration with 894 lbs. (405.5 kg) AP Shell

.
14,000 yards (12,800 m) 10.0" (254 mm) ---
16,000 yards (15,000 m) 9.0" (229 mm) ---

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50
Note: This data is from "Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting."

.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Helgoland class (6): Drh LC/1908
Kaiser class (5): Drh LC/1909
König class (5): Drh LC/1911
Designation Derfflinger class (4): Drh LC/1912
Hindenburg (4): Drh LC/1913
Single Coastal Artillery Turrets

30.5 cm L/50 Kst.Drh.L.C/37
Ships: Between 534 to 549 tons (543 to 558 mt)
Weight
Coastal Artillery: 271.9 tons (276.26 mt)
Ships before 1915: -8 / +13.5
Elevation Ships after 1915: -5.5 to +16.0 degrees
Coastal artillery: -5 / +50 degrees
Ships: N/A
Elevation Rate Coastal Artillery: 10 degrees per second with shell
loaded
End Turrets: About +150 / -150 degrees
Train Beam Turrets: About +80 / -80 degrees
Coastal Artillery: -220 / +220 degrees
Ships: 3 degrees per second
Train Rate
Coastal Artillery: 4 degrees per second
Normal: 36.0 in (91.5 cm)
Gun recoil
Mechanical Limit: 38.6 in (98.0 cm)
Ships: N/A
Loading Angle
Coastal Artillery: 0 degrees
Notes:
1) The mounting weight differences were mainly the result of thicker armor used on the battleships.
2) Magazines were below shell rooms.
3) The Kaiser class were the first German battleships to have superfiring turrets. This allowed them to have
one less turret than previous classes (5 vs. 6) yet still be able to fire the same number of guns on the
broadside.
4) The König class had all main guns on the centerline, giving them a heavier broadside than earlier ships.
.
Data from
"Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting" and "Naval Weapons of World War Two" both by John Campbell

German 30.5 cm/50 (12") SK L/50

---
M.DV.Nr.170,54 "Merkbuch über die Munition der 30,5 cm SK L/50 der Marine-Küstenartillerie" Berlin 1940,
Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine
M.DV.Nr. 234.6 "Vorläufige Beschreibung der 28 cm S.K.L/45, 28 cm S.K.L/50 und 30,5 cm S.K.L/50 in Kst.Drh.L.
C.37" Berlin 1941, Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine
---

Russian 12"/52 (30.5 cm) Pattern 1907
Russian
12"/52 (30.5 cm) Pattern 1907
305 mm/52 (12") Pattern 1907
These were the most powerful guns ever used on a completed Russian or Soviet warship.
They were built to a Russian design and many were also used as coastal artillery and railway
guns.
The design of the gun began in 1906 at the Obukhov factory and a prototype was completed in
1907. The Navy initially ordered twenty guns from Obukhov at the end of 1907, with 178 more
being ordered in the following years. 126 of these were delivered prior to 1917 (some sources
say 144 guns). In 1917-18 an additional 42 guns were delivered, but after that point the
Russian Civil War halted production until 1921 when 14 more guns were finished. In 1922
there were 29 guns at the factory at different stages of completion, some of which were
subsequently finished. In 1939-40 some guns were converted into a loose liner type.
The battleship turret was designed by the Metal Factory in 1909 and was based on the
modernized mountings for the 12"/40 (30.5 cm) gun used on the Andrey Pervozvanny class
battleships.
The battleships armed with these guns were known for their excellent shooting during World
War I. During her engagement with the German/Turkish battlecruiser Goeben/Yavuz on 8
January 1916, Imperatritsa Maria, firing into the sun at a range of about 20,000 meters, landed
her first three salvos at 500, 100 and 50 meters short of the Turkish ship. As this distance was
outside of her range, Yavuz was forced to run for home, pursued by the Russian
dreadnought. Yavuz's commander, Captain Richard Ackermann, later reported that
"Imperatritsa Maria can run and shoot." On 4 April 1916, Imperatritsa Maria's sister-ship
Ekaterina II straddled and then knocked the stem off the German/Turkish light cruiser Breslau/
Midilli at about 21,000 meters.
In addition to the Naval version of the gun, there was also a Coast Defense version which
differed in having a larger chamber volume and used different ammunition, although it could
also fire the naval rounds. By 1927 all of the coast defense guns had been changed over to
using only naval ammunition. These were mainly mounted in twin coastal defense turrets that
were designed in 1913 with a total of 14 turrets were built. Single open mountings were also
built for the coastal defense fortresses. There were four four-gun batteries around the Baltic,
two four-gun batteries around the Black Sea and two five-gun batteries in the Far East. After
the battleship Poltava was damaged by fire in 1924, her turrets were removed and then
installed as coast defense batteries, two near Vladivostok in the 1930s and two near
Sevastopol in the 1950s. Both batteries were in active service until 1996 and the turrets still
survive.
The guns on the battleship Imperator Alexandr III served under several flags. Imperator
Alexandr III was taken over by the Soviets and renamed Volya ("Freedom") on 29 April 1917.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_12-52_m1907.htm (1 of 10)7/20/2006 14:41:56

In May 1918 she was captured by the Germans at Sevastopol and commissioned in the
German Navy on 15 October 1918. After the German surrender, the ship was taken over by
the British who subsequently moved her to Izmir, Turkey. On 17th October 1919, she came
under White Russian control and renamed General Alekseyev. With the defeat of the White
Russians, she was interned by the French at Bizerta, Tunis. After the Soviets refused the
French offer to return her to their control in 1924, she was subsequently scrapped at Bizerta
during the 1930s and her guns then used in coastal batteries to defend that port. In the early
part of World War II, France decided to transfer the 12 guns to Finland and Norway and three
ships were dispatched from Tunis to those nations. The two ships bound for Finland arrived
safely and their eight guns were used for coastal batteries and railroad guns.
But the Norwegian steamship Nina with her cargo of four guns was captured by Germans
during the fighting in Norway in 1940. The Germans moved these guns back south and
installed them as part of their Atlantic Wall defenses at Le Frie Baton, Guernsey Island, where
they were known as Battery Nina (later renamed Battery Mirus after Kapitan-zur-See Rolf
Mirus, killed in November 1941 near Guernsey Island). This battery was active between late
1942 and 1945 and survived the war, with the guns being scrapped sometime later. These
guns appeared to have been modified to use standard German 30.5 cm (12") projectiles and
propellants. One of the sources below reports that these guns were derated after reliability
problems with these projectiles, but this may be a confusion between the much longer range
for the "lightweight" Spr.gr. L/3,6 Bdz u. Kz (mhb) of about 56,000 yards (51 km) when
compared to that for the "normal weight" Psgr. L/4,9 (mhb) of about 43,000 yards (39 km).
Nomenclature note: This weapon is usually referred to as "Model 1910-1914" in western

sources.
Constructed of A tube, two B tubes to the muzzle, two C tubes, two D tubes and jacket. The
breech bush screwed into the jacket, locking the parts together, and a collar was shrunk on
the breech bush and the end of the collar covered by a small ring with a shoulder. Both collar
and ring were placed in position when hot. A Welin breech block was used.
The actual bore diameter was 304.8 mm (12.0").

12"/52 (30.5 cm) Turret on an unidentified Russian Battleship
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
12"/52 (30.5 cm) Pattern 1907
Designation
305 mm/52 (12") Pattern 1907
Gangut, Imperatritsa Maria and Imperator Nikolai I
classes
Ship Class Used On
Coast defense mountings and TM-1-12 railroad
guns
Date Of Design 1907
Gun Weight 49.9 tons (50.7 mt)

Grooves (72) 0.079 in deep x 0.354 in (2.0 mm x 9.0 mm)

Lands 0.169 in (4.3 mm)
Chamber Volume
13,710 in3 (224.6 dm3)
(see Note)
Gangut: 1.8 rounds per minute
Imperatritsa Maria: 3 rounds per minute
Sevastopol after modernization in 1940: 2.2
rounds per minute
Twin coast defense turrets (1914): 1.5 rounds per

Rate Of Fire
minute
Twin coast defense turrets (1941): 2 rounds per
minute
MB-3-12FM Coast defense turret: 2.25 rounds per
minute
Open Coast Defense Mount: 2 rounds per minute
Note: Guns captured by the Germans during World War II were modified to take German
projectiles and charges. These modified guns had a chamber volume of 13,669 in3 (224.0 dm3)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Bag
APC mod 1911 - 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg)
SAP mod 1911 - 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg)
HE mod 1911 - 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg)
Shrapnel mod 1915 - 731.3 lbs. (331.7 kg)
Chemical mod 1916 - N/A [probably 1,038 lbs.
(470.9 kg)]
Projectile Types and Weights HE mod 1928 - 692 lbs. (314 kg)
Distance Grenade (DG-022) - 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg)
Coast Defense AP - 984.14 lbs. (446.4 kg)
Coast Defense HE - 984.14 lbs. (446.4 kg)
Super Heavy Round - 1,281.8 lbs. (581.4 kg)
German HE L/4,8 nose fuze - 892.9 lbs. (405 kg)

APC mod 1911 - 28.57 lbs. (12.96 kg)

SAP mod 1911 - 135.58 lbs. (61.5 kg)
HE mod 1911 - 135.58 lbs. (61.5 kg)
HE mod 1911 (Made in Japan) - 101.19 lbs. (45.9
kg)
HE mod 1911 (Made in USA) - 91.05 lbs. (41.3 kg)
Bursting Charge
Shrapnel mod 1915 - 6.77 lbs. (3.07 kg)
Distance Grenade (DG-022) - 105.6 lbs. (47.9 kg)
HE mod 1928 - 121.7 lbs. (55.2 kg)
Coast Defense HE - 67.68 lbs. (30.7 kg)
German HE L/4,8 nose fuze - 58.4 lbs. (26.5 kg)

APC mod 1911 - 3.9 calibers
SAP mod 1911 - 5 calibers
HE mod 1911 - 5 calibers
HE mod 1911 (Japan) - 4.5 calibers
HE mod 1911 (USA) - 4.4 calibers
Projectile Length Shrapnel mod 1915 - 3.1 calibers
Distance Grenade (DG-022) - 4.7 calibers
HE mod 1928 - 5 calibers
Coast Defense HE - 4.15 calibers
HE L/4,8 nose fuze - 4.8 calibers

(From "Naval Weapons") - 346 lbs. (157 kg) NCT,
0.197 in wall (5 mm)
Propellant Charge (From "Encyclopedia") - 291 lbs. (132 kg)
(propellant type not known)
German propellants - N/A
AP, SAP and HE mod 1911 - 2,500 fps (762 mps)
HE mod 1928 - 3,117 fps (950 mps)
Coast Defense rounds - 2,800 fps (853 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Shrapnel mod 1915 - 2,660 fps (810.8 mps)
Super Heavy Round - 2,260 - 2,300 fps (690 - 700
mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 400

Notes:
1) The Chemical round was rebuilt from APC and training rounds.
2) Propellant was in halves.
3) Naval shells are believed to have been 4crh.
4) The super-heavy round was not accepted into production due to the low muzzle velocity
which gave disappointing range and penetration performance.
.
Range
.
Elevation With all 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg) mod 1911 Rounds
Range @ 20 degrees
22,600 yards (20,670 m)
(From "Encyclopedia")
Range @ 25 degrees
25,400 yards (23,230 m)
(From "Encyclopedia")
Range @ 25 degrees
26,925 yards (24,620 m)
(From "Naval Weapons")
Range @ 40 degrees
31,400 yards (28,710 m)
(Coastal artillery)
Range @ 48 degrees
32,080 yards (29,340 m)
(Coastal artillery)
Elevation With 692 lbs. (314 kg) Long Range HE mod 1928
Range @ 40 degrees
48,200 yards (44,080 m)
(Coastal artillery)
Range @ 50 degrees
50,285 yards (45,980 m)
(Coastal artillery)
Elevation With 985 lbs. (446.6 kg) HE mod 1911
Range @ 25 degrees
26,800 yards (24,510 m)
(Coastal artillery)
.
1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg) mod 1911
Elevation Striking Velocity Angle of Fall
MV of 2,500 fps (762 mps)

.
Armor Penetration With 1,038 lbs. (470.9 kg) APC mod 1911 Shell
.
10,000 yards (9,140 m) 13.85 in (352 mm) 0.67 in (17 mm)
20,000 yards (18,290 m) 8.15 in (207 mm) 2.36 in (60 mm)
30,000 yards (27,430 m) 5.00 in (127 mm) 5.50 in (140 mm)
Notes:
1) Above data from "Main Caliber of the Battleships."
2) Between the end of 1918 and the beginning of 1919 the British tested the Russian projectiles
against 8" (20.3 cm) Cemented (face-hardened) armor at 20 degrees to the normal, this being
the condition used to test the British 12" (30.5 cm) Mark VIIa (Greenboy) projectiles. The
projectile holed the plate but broke up at 1,447 fps (441 mps) and penetrated intact at 1,615 fps
(493 mps).
3) 'British post-Jutland tests of Russian 12" M1909 APC [M1911 APC - TD] shells gave excellent
results at 20 degrees obliquity, much better than the new Greenboy British 12" Mk VII APC shell
did and seemingly on a par with the larger British 13.5" APC shells.' - Nathan Okun.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

Three-gun turrets (later designated MK-3-12)

Gangut (4), Imperatritsa Maria (4) and
Imperator Nikolai I (4)
Coast Defense Mountings

Twin Coast Defense Turrets (later designated
Designation
MB-2-12)
Triple Coast Defense Turrets MB-3-12
Modified Triple Coast Defense Turrets MB-3-
12FM
Open Single Mounts
Krupp Mounts for the Nina Battery
MK-3-12: 767.8 tons (780 mt)
MK-3-12 (modified) on Sevastopol: 771.7 tons
(784 mt)
Weight Impretritsa Maria class: 858.3 tons (872 mt)
MB-2-12: 757.9 tons (770 mt)

MB-3-12FM: 815.1 tons (828.1 mt)
MK-3-12: -5 / +25 degrees
Elevation MK-3-12 (modified): -5 / +40 degrees
Impretritsa Maria class: -5 / +25 degrees
MK-3-12: 3-4 degrees per second
MK-3-12 (modified): 6 degrees per second
Impretritsa Maria class: 3-4 degrees per
second
Rate of Elevation
Twin coast defense turret: 3 degrees per
second
MB-2-12: 5 degrees per second
MB-3-12FM: 6 degrees per second
Open Single Mounts: 0.67 degrees per second
MK-3-12: 310 - 360 degrees
MK-3-12 (modified): 310 - 360 degrees
Impretritsa Maria class: 310-360 degrees
Train
MB-2-12: 360 degrees
MB-3-12FM: -185 / +185 degrees

MK-3-12: 3.2 degrees per second

MK-3-12 (modified): 3.2 degrees per second
Impretritsa Maria class: 3.2 degrees per
second
Rate of Train
Twin coast defense turret: 3 degrees per
second
MB-2-12: 5.3 degrees per second
Open Single Mounts: 0.67 degrees per second
Gun Recoil 50 in (1.27 m)
MK-3-12: -5 to +15 degrees
MK-3-12 (modified): +6 degrees
Triple turrets on Impretritsa Maria class: -5 to
Loading Angle +15 degrees
MB-2-12: 0 to +15 degrees

MB-3-12FM: +6 degrees
Notes:
1) Guns in triple turrets were individually sleeved. The battleship mountings are unusual in that
they were all on the centerline at the same deck level.
2) Mountings at Sevastopol were modified in 1940 to increase elevation.
3) Training and elevation were electrically powered with hydraulic drive gear.
4) "Naval Weapons of World War Two" says that the battleship mountings were designed by
Coventry Ordnance Works (UK).
.
Data from
"Mirus - The making of a Battery" by Colin Partridge and John Wallbridge
"Sovetskie Boevye Korabli 1941-45: IV Vooruzhnie" (Soviet Warships 1941-45: Volume IV Armament)
by A.V. Platonov
"Glavnyi Calibr Linkorov" (Main Caliber of the Battleships) by L.I. Amirkhanov and S.I. Titushkin
"Entsiklopedia Otechestvennoi Artillerii" (Encyclopedia of Fatherland (Russian) Artillery) by A.V.
Shirokorad
"The Ship that Changed the World: The Escape of the Goeben to the Dardanelles in 1914" by Dan Van
Der Vat
"Poslednie Ispoliny Rossiyskogo Imperatorskogo Flota" (Last Giants of the Russian Imperial Navy) by S.
E. Vinogradov
---
"Flot vo Slavu Rossii" (Fleet in Honor of Russia) CD

---
Fortress Island (pdf file)
---
Special help from Vladimir Yakubov and Neil Stirling
Off-site Resources
For further information on these weapons, see the Kilta Website. This website includes a good many
pictures of Kuivasaaren Fort, located near Helsinki in Finland. The 305 mm/52 (12") twin coastal
defense mounting at this fort has been restored to a near-operational status and has fired water blanks
several times since 1992.

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
German
28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon was used for the small battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and
was an improved version of the 28 cm SK C/28 gun used for the Deutchsland
class Panzerschiffes. The high muzzle velocity of this weapon gave its relatively
light-weight projectiles long range and good penetration power against belt
armor, at a cost of relatively poor performance against deck armor.
Scharnhorst made one of the longest hits ever scored by a naval gun on an
enemy ship when she struck the British carrier HMS Glorious at approximately
26,465 yards (24,200 m). See the Technical Board essay Longest Gunfire Hit for
further details on this action.
When Gneisenau was disarmed in 1943 her guns were then used for coastal
artillery emplacements. Turret Caesar still remains as a museum exhibit at
Austrat (Batterie Oerlandat) which is near Trondheim in Norway. Turret Bruno
was used at Fledt, near Bergen. Individual guns from Anton were used in
Denmark and the Netherlands.
"This 28 cm gun had the same kind of projectiles, more-or-less, as did the guns
on the Bismarck and Hipper; the Psgr.m.K. L/4,4 AP rounds, scaled to the 28.3 cm
size from the 38 cm and 20.3 cm size, respectively. The 28 cm SAP round was
similar to the 38 cm round, but the 28 cm size did not have the light AP cap used
with the 38 cm projectile. This was perhaps because the Germans knew that the
French were using KC armor for their new BB and BC turret roofs, so the
Germans designed their 38 cm SAP projectile to defeat this armor at long range,
reserving the 38 cm AP projectile for closer ranges where penetration of the main
side armor was possible. A 28 cm SAP design of this kind would be too small to
penetrate this kind of armor." -- Nathan Okun
Constructed of A tube, loose liner, two-part shrunk-on jacket, a breech end piece
was screwed on hot to the jacket, and a breech block supporting piece was
screwed into the breech end-piece. The breech block was a horizontal sliding
type.
The Netherlands Navy planned to use a very similar 28 cm gun for their never-
built "Design 1047" Battlecruisers.
All German 28 cm guns had an actual bore diameter of 28.3 cm (11.1").

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
Forward 28 cm turrets of Scharnhorst

.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
Ship Class Used On Scharnhorst and Kreuzer "P" classes
Date Of Design 1934

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34

Gun Weight including breech 111,739.6 lbs (53,250 kg)
Lands 0.173 in (4.4 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
APC L/4,4 - 727.5 lbs. (330 kg)
HE L/4,4 base fuze - 694.4 lbs. (315
Projectile Types and Weights kg)
HE L/4,5 nose fuze - 694.4 lbs. (315
kg)
APC L/4,4 - 14.55 lbs. (7.84 kg)
HE L/4,4 base fuze - 35.27 lbs. (16.0
Bursting Charge kg)
HE L/4,5 nose fuze - 48.06 lbs. (21.8
kg)
APC L/4,4 - 49.0 in (124.5 cm)
HE L/4,4 base fuze - 49.0 in (124.5
Projectile Length cm)
HE L/4,5 nose fuze - 50.1 in (127.3
cm)

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
Fore: 93.7 lbs. (42.5 kg) RPC/38

(15/4.0)
Main: 168.6 lbs. (76.5 kg) RPC/38
Propellant Charge
(15/4.9)
Total main cartridge weight: 273.4
lbs. (124 kg)
APC - 2,920 fps (890 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Others - N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun 150 rounds (see note 2)
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was
propellant in a silk bag, and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The
brass case helped to seal the breech of the gun.
2) This is the design figure. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual outfit
ranged from 105 to 150 rounds.

APC L/4,4 - Pz.gr. L/4,4 (mhb)
.
Range
.
Elevation With 727.5 lbs. (330 kg) AP Striking Velocity Angle of Fall

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
40.0 degrees 44,760 yards (40,930m) --- ---
.
Armor Penetration with 727.5 lbs. (330 kg) AP Shell

.
0 yards (0 m) 23.79" (604 mm) ---
8,640 yards (7,900 m) 18.09" (460 mm) 0.76" (19 mm)
16,514 yards (15,100 m) 13.18" (335 mm) 1.63" (41 mm)
20,013 yards (18,288 m) 11.47" (291 mm) 1.87" (48 mm)
30,000 yards (27,432 m) 8.08" (205 mm) 2.99" (76 mm)
Note: The above information is from "Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in
World War Two" for a muzzle velocity of 2,920 fps (890 mps) and is based upon the
USN Empirical Formula for Armor Penetration.
.
10,936 yards (10,000 m) 13.70" (348 mm) ---
16,404 yards (15,000 m) 11.02" (280 mm) ---
21,872 yards (20,000 m) 8.86" (225 mm) ---
27,340 yards (25,000 m) 7.64" (194 mm) ---
Note: The above information is from "German Capital Ships of World War Two." The
data is based upon the pre-war Krupp test shoots on their range in Meppen with L/4,4
APC projectiles using RPC/32 propellant against KC-type armor at an impact angle of
70 degrees. It should be noted that RPC/32 propellant was replaced by the more
powerful RPC/38 type which was the only propellant used in World War II.
.
Mount / Turret Data

German 28 cm/54.5 (11") SK C/34
.
Three-gun Turrets
Designation
Scharnhorst (3): Drh LC/34
Weight 1,653,467 lbs (750,000 kg)
A and C turrets: -8 / +40 degrees
Elevation
B turret: -9 / +40 degrees
Train Rate 7.2 degrees per second
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Schlachtschiff Scharnhorst" by Heinrich Bredemeier
"Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin,
Jr.
---
Special help from Peter Lienau and Nathan Okun
Off-site Resources
Gniesenau Turret as Coastal Battery

MKB Örlandet (Austråt Fort)

German 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28
German
28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28
Updated 23 May 2006
This weapon was used on the famous Panzerschiffes or "Pocket Battleships" Lützow (ex-
Deutschland), Admiral Scheer and Admiral Graf Spee. The turrets were fitted with RPC only for
elevation.
The shells used for these guns had inferior ballistic characteristics when compared to those for
the later 28 cm SK C/34. "These guns had 28 cm Psgr.m.K. L/3,7 armor-piercing projectiles,
which were more or less a 'warmed-over' Krupp 28 cm Psgr.m.K. L/3,4 post-1911 World War I AP
projectiles with a slight decrease in weight, a blunter nose, a thicker AP cap and a more pointed
windscreen to increase range. They were still just as poor at oblique-angle impact as their older
brothers, having the same '0.5-caliber-KC-penetration-at-500 mps-and-30°-obliquity' specification
as did the pre-World War I design. Both the older projectile and this newer one barely met that
requirement. These guns also had a very blunt-nosed SAP-type Common projectile (Spgr.m.Bdz)
with only light AP penetration ability, though the blunt nose shape gave it good thin-deck (British
and French 'Treaty' cruisers) penetration at long range, which was probably what it was for." --
Nathan Okun
The construction of this weapon was similar to that of the 28 cm SKC/34, but the jacket was in
one piece.

German 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28
Turret of Deutschland under construction

IWM Photograph
Deutschland in April 1933

The torpedo tubes were later given a heavy shield
WBB Photograph
Lützow (ex-Deutschland)

German 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28
Ship Class Used On Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class
Date Of Design 1928
Gun Weight 106,262 lbs. (48,200 kg)
Lands 0.173 in (4.4 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
APC L/3,7 - 661.4 lbs (300 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE L/4,2 base fuze - 661.4 lbs. (300 kg)
HE nose fuze - 661.4 lbs. (300 kg)
APC L/3,7 - 14.55 lbs. (6.6 kg)
Bursting Charge HE L/4,2 base fuze - 35.27 lbs. (16.0 kg)
APC L/3,7 - 41.2 in (104.7 cm)
Projectile Length HE L/4,2 base fuze - 46.8 in (118.8 cm)
Fore: 79.4 lbs. (36.0 kg) RPC/38 (16/7.2)
Main: 156.6 lbs. (71.0 kg) RPC/38
Propellant Charge (16/7.2)
Total main cartridge weight: 417.8 lbs.
(189.5 kg)
APC - 2,986 fps (910 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Others - N/A

German 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28

Ammunition stowage per gun 120 rounds (see Note 2)
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was propellant in
a silk bag, and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The brass case helped to
seal the breech of the gun.
2) This is the design figure. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual outfit ranged from
105 to 120 rounds.
4) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 8.5 calibers. The tangent of the ballistic cap to the
shell body was inclined at 5 degrees, which resulted in a projectile with a short overall length.

APC L/3,7 - Pz.gr. L/3,7 (mhb)
.
Range
.
Elevation With 661 lbs. (300 kg) APC Striking Velocity Angle of Fall
40.0 degrees 39,890 yards (36,475 m) --- ---
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Three-gun Turrets
Designation
Lützow (ex-Deutschland) (2): Drh LC/28
Weight 590 tons (600 mt)

German 28 cm/52 (11") SK C/28

Gun recoil N/A
Notes:
1) Turrets had electric training, auxiliary elevation, auxiliary hoists but otherwise they were
hydraulically powered by two electrically driven pumps in each turret using a water / glycerine
pressure medium. Main gun elevation was by hydraulic cylinder driving the elevation arc by a rack
and pinion.
2) Each gun was served by a shell cage which picked up the charge cage on its way to the
gunhouse. The hoists came up between the guns and the shells were transferred to the loading
tray by rammers. The shell hoist for the left gun came up between the left gun and the center gun.
The other two cages came up between the center and right gun. The charge cage carried the fore
charge on the bottom and the main charge on top. The fore charge was loaded by hand and then
the main charge rammed in behind it. There were also auxiliary hoists for each gun. The auxiliary
hoist for the center gun came up behind the gun and had a tiltable cage. The other auxiliary hoists
came up behind and to the side of the guns, with the shells and main charges being transported by
overhead gear.
.
Data from
---
Special help from Richard Worth and Nathan Okun

German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
German
28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
Updated 23 May 2006
A slightly more powerful gun than the previous 28 cm SK L/45. The mountings for these guns used electric
pumps to drive hydraulic elevation gear while the training was all electric. The famous German/Turkish
battlecruiser Goeben/Yavuz carried these guns for fifty years.
With the exception of Yavuz, during World War II these guns were used only as coastal artillery. They were
then supplied with a lighter shell with a larger propellant charge for increased range. Four of these guns in
single Drh LC/37 coastal turrets were employed as the Grosser Kurfürst battery at Pillau, then at Framzelle, as
part of the Channel defenses.
Constructed from shrunk-on tubes and hoops and used the Krupp horizontal sliding wedge breech block.
Battlecruiser Seydlitz in November 1918


German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
Battlecruiser Goeben
Seydlitz showing damage received at Jutland (Skagerrak)
Gun Characteristics

German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
.
Designation 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
Ship Class Used On Moltke and Seydlitz Classes
Date Of Design 1909
Gun Weight
91,491 lbs. (41,500 kg)
(see Note 1)
Gun Length 557.1 in (14.150 m)
Grooves 80
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Rate Of Fire
3 rounds per minute
(see Note 2)
Notes:
1) The often-seen figure of 149,914 lbs. (68,000 kg) for this weapon actually includes the weight of the Weige
(gun cradle).
2) Description from "Naval Weapons of World War Two:"
"The hoists could supply three rounds per gun in 51 seconds, including loading and unloading the
hoists, and the firing cycle with a strong and well trained crew was about 20 seconds."
Ammunition
.
World War I
APC - 666 lbs. (302 kg)
World War II
APC L/3,2 - 666 lbs. (302 kg)
HE L/3,6 base fuze - 666 lbs. (302 kg)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 626 lbs. (284
kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
APC L/3,2 - about 35.3 in (90 cm)
HE L/3,6 base fuze - about 39.7 in (101 cm)
Projectile Length
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - about 48.5 in
(123 cm)

German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50
World War I
Main Charge: 174 lbs. (79 kg) RPC/12
Fore Charge: 57 lbs. (26 kg) RPC/12
World War II
Main Charge: 154.3 lbs. (70 kg) RPC/32

Fore Charge: 79.4 lbs. (36 kg) RPC/32
Propellant Charge
Total main cartridge weight: 262.3 lbs. (119
kg)
Silk bag for fore charge: 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg)
After 1942
Total: 251.3 - 262.6 lbs. (114 - 119.1 kg)

RPC/38 (16/6)
World War I
2,887 fps (880 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
World War II
2,936 fps (895 mps)
Moltke: 81 rounds
Seydlitz: 87 rounds
Notes:
gun.
2) I lack the breakdown between the fore and main charges for the RPC/38 propellants used after 1942.
3) Actual Projectile designations were as follows.

.
Range World War I

.
Elevation With 666 lbs. (302 kg) AP Shell
Range @ 13.5 degrees
19,790 yards (18,100 m)
(maximum elevation as built)
Range @ 16.0 degrees Moltke, Seydlitz: 20,890 yards (19,100 m)
(maximum elevation after 1915) Nassau: 22,310 yards (20,400 m)

German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50

23,730 yards (21,700 m)
(Goeben, only)
Note: The World War I projectiles are described as "having a rather blunt head," resulting in only a slight
increase in range for the higher elevations.
.
Range World War II
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Moltke class (5): Drh LC/1908
Seydlitz class (5): Drh LC/1910
Designation
28 cm L/50 Kst.Drh.L.C/37
Weight N/A
All as built: -8 / +13.5
All after 1915: -5.5 to +16.0 degrees
Elevation Goeben: First increased to +16.0, then to +22.5
degrees
Ships: N/A
loaded
Ships: N/A
Train Rate
Normal: 33.1 in (84 cm)
Gun recoil
Mechanical Limit: 35.4 in (90 cm)
Ships: N/A
Loading Angle
Note: The guns were individually sleeved but could be coupled together by the elevation gear. Loading,
ramming and the breech mechanism were all hand operated.
.
Data from
"Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting" and "Naval Weapons of World War Two" both by John Campbell
"Skagerrak" by Arno Dohm

German 28 cm/50 (11") SK L/50

---
M.DV.Nr. 234.6, "Vorläufige Beschreibung der 28 cm S.K.L/45, 28 cm S.K.L/50 und 30,5 cm S.K.L/50 in Kst.Drh.L.C.37"
Berlin 1941, Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine
---

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
German
28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
Updated 23 May 2006
These guns were used to arm Germany's first "Dreadnought" type battleships and
battlecruisers. The battlecruiser Von der Tann used these weapons to sink HMS
Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak).
During World War II these guns were used only as coastal artillery. They were
then supplied with a lighter shell with a larger propellant charge for increased
range.
Constructed from shrunk on tubes and hoops and used the Krupp horizontal
sliding wedge breech block.
Forward Turret of Battlecruiser Von der Tann

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
Battleship Westfalen in July 1910

Bibliothek für Zeitgeschichte (Stuttgart) Photograph
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Nassau and Von der Tann Classes
Date Of Design 1907
Gun Weight
87,743 lbs. (39,800 kg)
(see Note)
Grooves 80
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Rate Of Fire 3 rounds per minute

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
Note: The often-seen figure of 117,947 lbs. (53,500 kg) for this weapon actually
includes the weight of the Weige (gun cradle).
.
Ammunition
.
World War I
APC - 666 lbs. (302 kg)
World War II
Projectile Types and Weights APC L/3,2 - 666 lbs. (302 kg)
HE L/3,6 base fuze - 666 lbs. (302
kg)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 626
lbs. (284 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
APC L/3,2 - about 35.3 in (90 cm)
HE L/3,6 base fuze - about 39.7 in
Projectile Length (101 cm)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - about
48.5 in (123 cm)
World War I
Main Charge: 174 lbs. (79 kg)
RPC/12
Fore Charge: 57 lbs. (26 kg)
RPC/12
World War II
Main Charge: 154.3 lbs. (70 kg)
RPC/32
Fore Charge: 79.4 lbs. (36 kg)
Propellant Charge
RPC/32
Total main cartridge weight: 262.3

lbs. (119 kg)
Silk bag for fore charge: 3.3 lbs.
(1.5 kg)

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
After 1942 (see Note 2)

Total: 251.3 lbs. (114 kg) RPC/38
(16/6)
World War I
2,805 fps (855 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
World War II
2,871 fps (875 mps)
Nassau: 75 rounds
Von der Tann: 82.5 rounds
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was
propellant in a silk bag, and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The
brass case helped to seal the breech of the gun.
2) I lack the breakdown between the fore and main charges for the RPC/38 propellants
used after 1942.

.
Range World War I

.
(maximum elevation of turrets) After 1915: 22,310 yards (20,400 m)
.
Range World War II
.
Elevation With 626 lbs. (284 kg) HE L4,4 Shell

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45

40,350 yards (36,900 m)
maximum elevation as coastal artillery
.
Armor Penetration with 666 lbs. (302 kg) AP Shell

.
13,120 yards (12,000 m) 7.9 in (200 mm) ---
Note: The above information is from "Die Geschichte der deutschen Schiffsartillerie."
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Nassau (6): Drh LC/1906
Von der Tann (4): Drh LC/1907
Designation
28 cm L45 Kst.Drh.L.C/37
Weight 394 tons (400 mt)
Drh LC/1906: -6 / +20 degrees
Elevation Drh LC/1907: -8 / +20 degrees
Ships: N/A
loaded
Ships: N/A
Train Rate
Nominal: 33.9 in (86 cm)
Gun recoil
Mechanical Limit: 35.4 in (90 cm)
Ships: N/A
Loading Angle

German 28 cm/45 (11") SK L/45
Notes:
1) Drh LC/1906: These mountings used electrically powered training and elevation
gear.
2) Drh LC/1907: These mountings used electrically powered training gear but the
elevation gear was hydraulic.
3) Shell rooms were below the magazines.

.
Data from
"Battleships of the World: 1905-1970" by Siegfried Breyer
"Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting" and "Naval Weapons of World War Two" both by John
Campbell
---
M.DV.Nr. 234.6, "Vorläufige Beschreibung der 28 cm S.K.L/45, 28 cm S.K.L/50 und 30,5 cm S.
K.L/50 in Kst.Drh.L.C.37" Berlin 1941, Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine
---

German 28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40
German
28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40
Updated 23 May 2006
This weapon armed the last German pre-deadnoughts. Two ships of the Deutschland
Class (not to be confused with the famous "Panzerschiffes" of World War II) were still in
service with this gun during World War II. These guns were also used as Coastal
Artillery during World War II in the Graf Spee battery located at Wangerooge and later at
Brest.
These were the last large-caliber German guns not to use separate main and fore
charges, all propellant was in a single cartridge case. They were the first ones to use a
sliding "wedge" style breech as opposed to the more typical screw breech block.
These mountings used hydraulic power with steam pumps as prime movers. The breech
mechanisms were hand-worked as was the ramming.
Pre-dreadnought Hessen about 1930

German 28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40
Sailors of SMS Hannover cleaning the deck

Note the 8.8 cm L/45 guns on the upper deck
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Braunschweig and Deutschland (1904) Classes
Date Of Design 1904
Gun Weight 99,869.4 lbs. (45,300 kg)

German 28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40

Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 7,512 in3 (614,700 cm3)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
World War I
APC L/2,6 - 529 lbs. (240 kg)
World War II
HE L/4,1 nose fuze - 529 lbs. (240 kg)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 626 lbs. (284 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
APC L/2,6 - 29.0 in (73.6 cm)
Projectile Length
HE L/4,3 base fuze - 47.4 in (120 cm)
HE L/4,1 nose fuze - 45.2 in (115 cm)
HE L/4,4 base and nose fuze - 49.0 in (124.5 cm)
World War I: About 161 lbs. (73 kg) RPC 12
Propellant Charge
World War II: 154.3 lbs. (70 kg) RPC 38
APC L/2,6 - 2,690 fps (820 mps)
HE L/4,3 - 2,690 fps (820 mps)
Muzzle Velocity HE L/4,1 - 2,690 fps (820 mps)
HE L/4,4 - 2,428 fps (740 mps)


German 28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40

Note: Actual Projectile designations were as follows:
APC L/2,6 - Psgr. L/2,6

.
Range
.
With 529 lbs. (240 kg) AP (World
Elevation
War I)
Range @ 30 degrees
20,590 yards (18,830 m)
(Max elevation of turret)
With 626 lbs. (284 kg) HE (World
Elevation
War II)
Range @ 30 degrees
28,040 yards (25,640 m)
(Max elevation of turret)
Coast Defense Gun
30,350 yards (27,750 m)
Range @ 45 degrees
Note: "Die Geschichte der deutschen Schiffsartillerie" says that the effective range of this
gun when introduced was 12,030 yards (11,000 m).
.
Armor Penetration with 529 lbs. (240 kg) AP Shell

.
13,120 yards (12,000 m) 6.3 in (160 mm) ---
Note: The above information is from "Die Geschichte der deutschen Schiffsartillerie."
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun turrets
Designation
Braunschweig (2) and Deutschland (2): Drh LC/01

German 28 cm/40 (11") SK L/40
Weight N/A
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A
.
Data from
"Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting" and "Naval Weapons of World War Two" both by John
Campbell
---
Special help from Richard Worth and Bernard Sage

German 24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
German
24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
---
Austria-Hungary
24 cm/40 (9.4") Krupp C/94
Updated 21 May 2006
Used on Pre-dreadnoughts and "First Rate Cruisers" of the 1890s. During World War II
some of these guns were used in coastal batteries, the best known being Battery
Hamburg, originally at Nordeney and later at Cherbourg.
This gun or a very similar one was also used on Austria-Hungary coast defense ships.
Aft turret on Austria-Hungary Coast Defense Ship Budapest

The "crack" in the gun barrel is actually a flaw in the picture

German 24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40

German 24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
Dud German 24 cm (9.4") shell that hit USS Texas BB-35 during the bombardment of Battery
Hamburg, east of Cherbourg, France, on 25 June 1944. Projectile appears to be a 24 cm Spr.
gr. L/4,1 Bdz (HE with base fuze).
The USN officers are Rear Admiral Carleton F. Bryant (left) and Captain Charles A. Baker,
CO, USS Texas
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph 80-G-46961
Gun Characteristics
.
Germany
24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
Designation
Austria-Hungary
24 cm/40 (9.4") C/94
German
Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Fürst Bismarck and Prinz
Heinrich Classes
Ship Class Used On
Austria-Hungary
Monarch Class
Date Of Design 1894
Gun Weight 53,000 to 56,526 lbs. (24,040 to 25,640 mt)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 4,406 in3 (72.2 dm3)
Rate Of Fire about 3 - 4 rounds per minute
.

German 24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
1895 APC - 308.6 lbs. (140 kg)
1914 APC L/2,6 - 321.9 lbs. (146 kg)
HE L/4,1 nose fuze - 332.9 lbs. (151 kg)
HE L/4,2 base and nose fuze - 327.4 lbs. (148.5 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
1895 APC - N/A
1914 APC L/2,6 - about 24.4 in (62 cm)
Projectile Length
HE L/4,1 base fuze - about 38.6 in (98 cm)
HE L/4,2 base and nose fuze - about 39.8 in (101 cm)
1895 - 91.2 lbs. (41.35 kg)
Propellant Charge
World War II - 103 lbs. (47 kg) RPC/38 (12/6.6)
1895 - 2,263 fps (690 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
World War II - 2,657 fps (810 mps)
Kaiser Friedrich III and Prinz Heinrich: 75 rounds
Wittelsbach: 85 rounds
Fürst Bismarck: 78 rounds
Monarch: 80 rounds
Notes:

1895 APC - N/A
1914 APC L/2,6 - Psgr. L/2,6
2) Propellant was in a brass cartridge case weighing 48.8 lbs. (25.15 kg) empty.
.
Range
.
With 308.6 lbs. (140 kg) Shell
Elevation
(1890 design)

German 24 cm/40 (9.4") SK L/40
Range @ 30 degrees
18,500 yards (16,900 m)
(max. elevation of turrets)
20,870 yards (19,080 m)
Elevation With 327.4 lbs. (148.5 kg) HE 4,2 Shell
29,090 yards (26,600 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Kaiser Friedrich III (2), Wittelsbach (2), Fürst Bismarck (2) and
Designation
Prinz Heinrich (1): DRL C/98
Monarch (2): N/A
Weight N/A
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Note: Rammers were pneumatically powered. Each gun had its own ammunition hoist.
Each turret required a crew of 20 men.
.
Data from
"Austria-Hungary's Monarch Class Coast Defense Ships" article by Erwin F. Sieche in Warship
International No. 3, 1999
---

German 21 cm/45 (8.27") SK L/45
German
21 cm/45 (8.27") SK L/45
Updated 21 May 2006
Used afloat only on the Armored Cruiser Blücher which was sunk at the World
War I battle of Dogger Bank.
During World War II these guns were used as coastal artillery. They were then
supplied with a better ballistically shaped shell and with a larger propellant
charge for increased range.
One of the wing turrets on SMS Blücher

The gun barrel below is a 15 cm/45
Gun Characteristics
.

German 21 cm/45 (8.27") SK L/45
Ship Class Used On Blücher

Gun Length oa about 372 in. (9.450 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
World War I
APC L/2,9 - 238 lbs. (108 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights World War II

APC L/2,9 - 238 lbs. (108 kg)
HE L/4,3 base and nose fuze -
250 lbs. (113.5 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
APC L/2,9 - 24 in (61 cm)
Projectile Length
HE L/4,3 - 35.5 in (90 cm)
APC L/2,9 - N/A
Muzzle Velocity
HE L/4,3 - 2,953 fps (900 mps)

German 21 cm/45 (8.27") SK L/45

Notes:
1) The World War II HE round was a special coastal artillery projectile supplied with two
different kinds of fuzing. This projectile was of better ballistic shape than the earlier
APC projectile.

APC L/2,9 - Psgr. L2,9
HE L/4,3 base and nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,3 Bdz u. Kz
.
Range
.
Elevation With 238 lbs. (108 kg) AP With 250 lbs. (113.5 kg) HE
Range @ 30 degrees
20,900 yards (19,100 m) ---
(Max. elevation of turret)
Range @ 45 degrees
--- 31,700 yards (29,000 m)
(Coastal Artillery)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun turrets
Designation
Blücher (6)
Weight N/A
Elevation Rate N/A
Forward and Aft Turrets: about -150 / +150 degrees
Train
Beam Turrets: about +30 / +150 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

German 21 cm/45 (8.27") SK L/45

German 21 cm/40 (8.27") SK L/40
German
21 cm/40 (8.27") SK L/40
Updated 21 May 2006
Used on many cruisers built in the 1890s and early 1900s. Most ships had a single or twin turret mounted
both fore and aft. However, the Scharnhorst class also had four single guns mounted amidships in addition
to a twin mounting on both the bow and stern.
These guns were used in coastal artillery units during World War II.
Armored Cruiser Scharnhorst about 1907

Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Victoria Louise, Prinz Adalbert, Roon and Scharnhorst (1907) Classes

German 21 cm/40 (8.27") SK L/40

Gun Weight N/A
Gun Length oa about 331 in. (8.400 m)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
World War I
APC L/2,9 - 238 lbs. (108 kg)
World War II
APC L/2,9 - 238 lbs. (108 kg)
HE L/4,3 base and nose fuze - 250 lbs. (113.5 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
APC L/2,9 - 24 in (61 cm)
Projectile Length
HE L/4,3 - 35.5 in (90 cm)
Victoria Louise: 58 rounds
Prinz Adalbert: 85 rounds
Roon: 95 rounds
Scharnhorst: 87.5 rounds
Notes:
1) The World War II HE round was a special coastal artillery projectile supplied with two different kinds of
fuzing.

APC L/2,9 - Psgr. L2,9
HE L/4,3 base and nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,3 Bdz u. Kz
.
Range

German 21 cm/40 (8.27") SK L/40
.
Elevation With 238 lbs. (108 kg) Shell
Range @ 16 degrees
13,560 yards (12,400 m)
(max. elevation of amidships turrets)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Prinz Adalbert (2), Roon (2) and Scharnhorst (2)
Single Turrets
Designation
Victoria Louise (2)
Casemates
Scharnhorst (4)
Weight N/A
Single gun Turrets: -5 / +30 degrees
Elevation Two-gun Turrets: -5 / +30 degrees
Casemates: -5 / +16 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A
.
Data from
and

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
German
20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
Updated 25 April 2006
This was the only 20.3 cm (8") weapon ever designed by Germany. Used on the Hipper and Prinz
Eugen Heavy Cruiser classes, it was quite powerful with a long range. Two of the turrets intended for
the uncompleted Seydlitz were mounted as coastal artillery on Ile De Croix. It had been intended to
mount the other two at Ile de Ré, but this apparently never took place.
These guns are probably best known for having started the Boat Deck fire on HMS Hood shortly before
her loss.
At the end of World War II, the Prinz Eugen was allocated to the USA. Before being sent to the nuclear
tests in the Pacific, her "A" turret guns were removed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in Pennsylvania
and then sent to the Naval Weapons Facility at Dahlgren, Virginia, for testing. They remain there on
permanent display.
Constructed of loose barrel, an inner and outer jacket, a breech end-piece screwed hot on to the outer
jacket and a breech block supporting piece pushed into the breech end-piece and held by a threaded
ring. The breech block was a horizontal sliding type and was hydraulically operated.

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
Forward turrets of heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in 1940
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
Ship Class Used On Hipper and Prinz Eugen Classes
Date Of Design 1934
Gun Weight 45,636 lb. (20,700 kg)

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34

Lands 0.165 in (4.2 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
APC L/4,4 - 269 lbs. (122 kg)
HE L/4,7 base fuse - 269 lbs. (122 kg)
HE L/4,7 nose fuse - 269 lbs. (122 kg)
Illum L/4,5 - 227 lbs. (103 kg)
APC L/4,4 - 5.1 lbs. (2.30 kg)
Bursting Charge HE L/4,7 base fuze - 14.4 lbs. (6.54 kg)
APC L/4,4 - 35.2 in (89.5 cm)
Projectile Length
Illum L/4,5 - 36 in (91.4 cm)
Fore Charge: 46.5 lbs. (21.1 kg) RPC/38
(11/4.3)
Main Charge: 65.5 lbs. (29.7 kg) RPC/38
Propellant Charge
(11/4.3)
Brass case for main charge: 40.1 lbs. (18.2
kg)
All except illum - 3,035 fps (925 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Illum - 2,297 fps (700 mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 300 rounds (one source says 500 rounds)
140 rounds
(see Note 3)

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
Notes:
1) These guns, like most large caliber German guns, used a "fore charge" which was propellant in a silk
bag, and a "main charge" which was propellant in a brass case. The brass case helped to seal the
breech of the gun.
2) Outfits included APC, HE nose fuze, HE base fuze and 40 illumination rounds per ship.
3) This is the design figure. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual outfit ranged from 120 to
160 rounds. "Warship Pictorial #21" says that the total outfit was 320 APC, 640 HE and 80 starshell in
1940 and while in 1944 the total outfit was 1,470 shells (mostly HE) and 40 starshells.

HE L/4,7 nose fuze - Spr.gr. L/4,7 Kz
Illumination L/4,5 - Lg. L/4,5
There was also a Spr.gr. L4,7 Bdz (mhb) which had a nose fuze and a windshield, but this may not have
entered service.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 269 lbs. (122 kg) APC Striking Velocity Angle of Fall Time of Flight
1.9 degrees 5,470 yards (5,000 m) 2,441 fps (744 mps) 2.1 6.0
37.0 degrees 36,636 yards (33,500 m) --- --- ---
.
Armor Penetration
.
Range With 269 lbs. (122 kg) HE Shell Spr. gr. L/4,7
10,389 yards (9,500 m) 2.0" (5 cm) of Homogenous Armor
Range With 269 lbs. (122 kg) AP Shell Pz. Spr. Ggr. L/4,4
10,389 yards (9,500 m) 9.4" (24 cm) of Face-hardened Armor

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34
Note: The above information is from "German Cruisers of World War Two" for a muzzle velocity of 3,035
fps (925 mps) and is based upon German face-hardened (vertical) and homogenous (deck) armor
penetration curves.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Two-gun Turrets
Designation
Hipper (4) and Prinz Eugen (4): LC/34
Turrets "A" and "D": 548,951 lbs. (249,000 kg)
Turrets "B" and "C": 577,611 lbs. (262,000 kg)
Weight
Note: Difference was thickness of rear armor and
rangefinder.
Elevation Turret "A": -9 / +37 degrees
(see Note) Turrets "B", "C" and "D": -10 / +37 degrees
Train Rate 6 - 8 degrees per second
Gun recoil 24.6 in (62.5 cm)
Notes:
1) Negative elevation for "A" turret was limited by the shear of the bow.
2) Each turret mounting had a crew of 72.
3) These mountings generally resembled the 38 cm SKC/34 used on the Bismarck class except that fore
and main charges were passed by hand to the hoists. Projectiles and the main charge were rammed
hydraulically, but the fore charge was manually loaded.
4) Distance between gun axes was 85.0 in (216 cm).

.
Data from
"German Cruisers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley
"Warship Pictorial #21: Kriegsmarine Prinz Eugen" by Steve Wiper
Special thanks to Curt Warner, who tracked down the current day whereabouts of the guns from Prinz Eugen's
Turret Anton
Other Resources
Additional information about these weapons may be found in the INRO article, "The Loss of HMS Hood"

German 20.3 cm/60 (8") SK C/34

German 17 cm/40 (6.75") SK L/40
German
17 cm/40 (6.75") SK L/40
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon was used as secondaries on German pre-deadnoughts. In World War II these guns were still in use as
coastal artillery. They were then supplied with a lighter shell with a larger propellant charge for increased range.
Actual bore diameter was 17.26 cm (6.795 in).
Pre-dreadnought Hessen about 1930

The 17 cm guns are in the amidships turrets and casemate emplacements

German 17 cm/40 (6.75") SK L/40
Two 17 cm/40 (6.75") guns on SMS Deutschland

Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Braunschweig and Deutschland (1904) Classes
Gun Length about 272 in (6.904 m)
Bore length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
World War I: N/A
World War II: AP - 138.5 lbs. (62.8 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
World War I: N/A
Muzzle Velocity
World War II: 2,871 fps (875 mps)
.
Range
.

German 17 cm/40 (6.75") SK L/40
Elevation World War I AP Shell

Range @ 22 degrees in World War I 15,860 yards (14,500 m)
Elevation With 138.5 lbs. (62.8 kg) AP Shell
Range @ 22 degrees
22,000 yards (20,100 m)
As Coastal Artillery in World War II
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single turrets
Braunschweig (2)
Designation
Casemates
Braunschweig (12) and Deutschland (14): MPL
Weight N/A
Turrets: -4 (?) / +30 degrees
Elevation
Casemates: -5 / +22 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
---
Special help from Peter Lienau and Dave Alton

German 15 cm/48 (5.9") SK C/36
German
15 cm/48 (5.9") TBK SK C/36
Updated 15 May 2006
The 15 cm (5.9") was the standard caliber used on most German capital ships and cruisers since the turn of the
century. The capital ships used this gun size as their secondary weapons whereas the light cruisers and the "Narvik"
class destroyers had these as their main weapons. This particular version was used on the German "Narvik" class
destroyers (Type 36A and Type 36A Mod).
Although a powerful gun, it had a slow rate of fire for a destroyer weapon and was really not suitable for such a small
ship. The heavy weight of the shells was also a problem as the gun lacked power assist, meaning that the shells had to
be manually fed into the breech. As the guns were originally used in single, open mountings, bad weather greatly
hampered their operation.
When these destroyers were converted to a twin mount forward, the additional weight caused them to become very
"wet" ships. However, these problems were somewhat offset by the fact that the twin mount was fully enclosed and
had a high maximum elevation, allowing for limited use against aircraft.
All German 15 cm guns had an actual bore diameter of 14.91 cm (5.87 in).
Z-39 after surrendering in 1945

Note US Flag on the mainmast
USN Photograph

German 15 cm/48 (5.9") SK C/36
Z38 in Norway about 1942
General arrangement and dimensions of twin 15 cm LC/38 Turret

Sketch from "German Destroyers of World War Two"
All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)

German 15 cm/48 (5.9") SK C/36
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 15 cm/55 (5.9") TBK SK C/36
Type 36A and 36A (mod) "Narvik" (Z23 and Z37) classes
Ship Class Used On
The Cruiser Emden was rearmed with this gun in 1942
Date Of Design 1936
Single Mounting: 15,873 lbs. (7,200 kg)
Gun Weight
Twin Mounting: 18,880 lbs. (8,564 kg)
Gun Length 282.1 in (7.165 m)
Bore length 268.3 in (6.815 m)
Lands 0.177 in (4.5 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
HE, base fuze - 99.8 lbs. (45.3 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE, nose fuze - 99.8 lbs. (45.3 kg)
Illum - N/A
Bursting Charge
HE, nose fuze - 12.2 lbs. (6.0 kg)
HE, base fuze - 26.7 in (67.9 cm)
Projectile Length
HE, nose fuze - 27.6 in (70.0 cm)
29.76 lbs. (13.5 kg) RPC/38 (7.5/3)
Propellant Charge
Cartridge - 51.8 lbs. (23.5 kg)

German 15 cm/48 (5.9") SK C/36
Notes:
1) "Naval Weapons of World War Two" states that a reduced weight projectile of 88.2 lbs. (40 kg) was developed for
destroyer use. However, no other source agrees with this and a search of Krupp records has failed to support this claim.
2) Destroyer outfits included nose and base fuzed HE with and without tracer and 80 illuminating shells per ship.
3) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 8.5 calibers. The tangent of the ballistic cap to the shell body was inclined at
5 degrees, which resulted in a projectile with a short overall length.
4) Actual German designations:

HE, base fuze: 15 cm Spgr. L/4,5 Bdz (m.Hb)
HE, nose fuze: 15 cm Spgr. L/4,6 Kz (m.Hb)
.
Range
.
Range @ 47 degrees
25,700 yards (23,500 m)
(Twin Turret)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mount
Type 36A (4), Type 36A (mob) (3): Tbts LC/36
Designation
(see Note 3)
Twin Mount
Type 36A (mob) (1): LDrh LC/38
Single Mount
Hand worked: 35,494 lbs. (16,100 kg)
Weight Electric/hydraulic: 43,080 lbs. (19,540 kg)
Twin Mount: 133,159 lbs. (60,400 kg)

Single Mount: -10 / +30 degrees
Elevation
Twin Mount: -10 / +65 degrees
Single Mount: N/A
Elevation Rate
Twin Mount: 8 degrees per second
Single Mount: N/A
Train Rate
Twin Mount: 8 degrees per second
Tbts LC/36 Mounting: 16.7 in (42.5 cm)
Gun recoil
LDrh LC/38 Mounting: 17.3 in (44 cm)

German 15 cm/48 (5.9") SK C/36
Notes:
1) There were two types of single mounting, both with the same designation. The earlier one had only manual elevation
and training while the later one had Pittler-Thoma electric-hydraulic gear. The former had a 6-10 mm shield and the latter
had a 20-40 mm shield. This difference in the shield thickness makes up the bulk of the weight difference. The twin
mounting also used Pittler-Thoma gear.
2) "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the single mounting had an elevation range of -19 / +48 degrees, but a careful
examination of photographs and sketches of the mounting throws doubt on this figure. I believe the lower maximum
elevation for the single mount given above to be correct.
3) As built, Type 36A destroyers (Z23 to Z30) and Type 36A (mob) destroyer Z31 had four single mountings. During 1942-
43, Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z31 were modified to have one twin and three single mountings. The other Type 36A (mob)
destroyers (Z32 to Z34 and Z37 to Z42) were completed with one twin and three single mountings. Some of these guns
were removed later in the war under "Operation Barbara" which was a program to increase AA weapons.
4) Z28 was rebuilt to have two single mountings forward, the only Type 36 to have this arrangement. This modification
was performed because the amidships mounting was suppressed in order to provide additional accommodations for staff.
.
Data from
"German Destroyers of World War Two (2nd Edition)" by M.J. Whitley
---

German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
German
15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon was used on the German Battleships in both twin and single mounts and was considered to be
quite successful. However, the German practice of using separate single purpose anti-ship and anti-aircraft
batteries was wasteful of both space and weight.
Some of these guns survived into the 1990s. The small battleship Gneisenau was decommissioned in 1943
and then dearmed, with her guns then used in coastal fortifications. In 1952, Denmark emplaced two of her
twin 15 cm (5.9") mountings as coastal defense guns at Fort Stevns. These mountings were reduced to
reserve status in 1984, but as of 1994 they were still being fired every year as part of mobilization training.
The main components of this gun were the loose barrel, a jacket and a breech end-piece with a vertical
sliding wedge breech. The breech mechanism was hand worked.
15 cm/55 (5.9") mounts on Scharnhorst or Gneisenau

The weapons at a 40 degree angle are 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33 AAA

German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
Port forward 15 cm/55 (5.9") mount on Bismarck under construction in 1939

15 cm/55 (5.9") mount on Bismarck

In the background is one of the 10.5 cm AA mountings
Gun Characteristics

German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
.
Deutschland, Scharnhorst and Bismarck classes
Ship Class Used On
Planned for "H" battleships, Kreuzer "M" and Graf Zeppelin classes
Date Of Design 1928
Lands 0.177 in (4.5 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
APC - 99.87 lbs. (45.3 kg)
HE, nose fuzed - 99.87 lbs. (45.3 kg)
HE, base fuzed - 99.87 lbs. (45.3 kg)
Illum - 90.4 lbs. (41 kg)
APC - 1.95 lbs. (0.885 kg)
Bursting Charge HE, nose fuze - 8.6 lbs (3.89 kg)
APC - 21.9 in (55.5 cm)
Projectile Length HE, nose fuze - 25.8 in (65.5 cm)
31.2 lbs. (14.15 kg) RPC/38 (7.5/3)
Propellant Charge
AP and HE - 2,871 fps (875 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Illum - N/A
Working Pressure 19 tons/in2 (3,000 kg/cm2)
Bismarck and "H": 105 rounds (see Note 2)
Scharnhorst: 133 to 150 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun Panzerschiffes: 100 to 150 rounds
Graf Zeppelin: 115 rounds
"M" class: 120 rounds

German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
Notes:
1) Outfits included APC, base and nose fuzed HE with and without tracer and illumination. However, APC was
rarely carried.
2) This is the design figure. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual outfit was 150 rounds.
3) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 8.5 calibers. The tangent of the ballistic cap to the shell body was
inclined at 5 degrees, which resulted in a projectile with a short overall length.
4) Actual German designations:

APC: 15 cm Pzgr. L/3,7 (m.Hb)
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Twin Turrets
Scharnhorst (4), Bismarck (6) and "H" (6): Dop. L. C/34 (Drh L. C/34)
Kreuzer "M": N/A (Possibly Drh L. C/40)
Designation Twin Casemate Mounts

Graf Zeppelin (8): Dop. MLC/36 (MPL C/36)
Single Pedestal Mounts

Deutschland (8): MPL/28
Scharnhorst (4): MPL/35
Twin Turrets
Bismarck
With range finder: 256,290 lbs. (116,250 kg)
W/O range finder: 242,500 lbs. (110,000 kg)
W/O range finder and short barbette: 238,100 lbs. (108,000 kg)
Scharnhorst: 264,555 lbs. (120,000 kg)
Kreuzer "M": 242,508 lbs. (110,000 kg)
Weight
Single Mounts
Deutschland: 54,740.8 lbs. (24,830 kg)
Scharnhorst: 58,885.5 lbs. (26,710 kg)
Casemate Twin Mount

German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
Graf Zeppelin: 103,617 lbs. (47,600 kg)

Drh Mounts: -10 / +40 degrees
Elevation MPL/28 and MPL/35 Mounts: -10 / +35 degrees
MPL/36 Mounts: -10 / +37 degrees

Battleships: About -80 / +80 degrees
Train Kreuzer "M": 360 degrees
Others: N/A
Gun recoil 14.6 in (37 cm)
Loading Angle About +3 degrees
Note: The twin turrets did not have the guns individually sleeved. The gun axes were 31.5 inches (80 cm)
apart.
.
Data from
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1994 Update" by Norman Friedman
"German Cruisers of World War Two," "German Capital Ships of World War Two" and "Warship Volume VIII" article all
by M.J. Whitley

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
German
15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
This weapon was used on light cruisers built in the 1920s and 1930s and was slightly more powerful than
the 15 cm guns used on battleships and destroyers. The Germans considered this weapon to be too
heavy and powerful for any other 15 cm (5.9") application.
The main components of this gun were the loose barrel, a jacket and a breech end-piece with a vertical
sliding wedge breech. The breech mechanism was hand worked. The guns were individually sleeved in
the three-gun mountings.

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
Overhead view of light cruiser Köln about 1930

Note the offset turrets and the amidships 8.8 cm/76 SK C/32 AAA guns
Manning the rails on light cruiser Köln in 1935

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # 242-HB-14598a55

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
After turrets of Königsberg while docked at Gdynia in 1935

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # 80967
Stern of Königsberg showing after director, 8.8 cm AA guns and 15 cm turrets

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # 80997
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Königsberg, Leipzieg and Nürnberg Classes
Date Of Design 1925
Lands 0.177 in (4.5 mm)
Königsberg and Leipzieg classes: 6 to 8 rounds per minute
Rate Of Fire
Nürnberg: 10 to 12 rounds per minute
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
APC - 100.3 lbs. (45.5 kg)
Illum - 90.4 lbs. (41 kg)
APC - 1.95 lbs. (0.885 kg)
Bursting Charge HE, base fuze - 6.74 lbs. (3.058 kg)
APC - 21.9 in (55.5 cm)
Projectile Length HE, base fuze - 26.8 in (68.0 cm)
42.5 lbs. (19.3 kg) RPC/38 (10/4.4)
Propellant Charge
APC - 3,150 fps (960 mps)
Muzzle Velocity HE - 3,150 fps (960 mps)

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25

Königsberg class: 120 rounds
Leipzieg: 120 rounds
(see Notes 1 and 2)
Nürnberg: 150 rounds
Notes:
1) These are the design figures. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual outfit for Leipzieg and
Nürnberg ranged from 120 up to 167 rounds. Given the large size differences between these two ships, I
would suspect that Leipzieg would tend towards the low end of this range while Nürnberg would tend
towards the upper end.
2) Outfit included APC, base fuze HE and nose fuzed HE with and without tracer, plus 250 rounds of
illumination for Nürnberg and 120 rounds of illumination for the earlier cruisers. The book outfit for
Nürnberg was 30 APC, 50 HE, base fuze and 70 HE, nose fuze. Nürnberg had 16 ready use rounds stored
in each gunhouse and a further 10 stored in each handling room.
3) The sources below disagree in several areas. For the most part, the figures in this table are taken from
"German Cruisers of World War Two."
4) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 8.5 calibers. The tangent of the ballistic cap to the shell body
was inclined at 5 degrees, which resulted in a projectile with a short overall length.
5) Actual German projectile designations:

APC: 15 cm Pzgr. L/3,7 (m.Hb)
.
Range
.
Elevation With 100.3 lbs. (45.5 kg) AP Shell Striking Velocity Angle of Fall
40.0 degrees 28,106 yards (25,700 m) --- ---
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Three-gun Turret
Designation
Königsberg (3), Leipzieg (3) and Nürnberg (3): Drh Tr C/25

German 15 cm/60 (5.9") SK C/25
All except Nürnberg: 301,834 lbs. (136,910 kg)

Weight
Nürnberg: 324,410 lbs. (147,150 kg)
All except Nürnberg: 6 degrees per second
Elevation Rate
Nürnberg: 6 to 8 degrees per second
Train 360 degrees
All except Nürnberg: 6 to 8 degrees per second
Train Rate
Nürnberg: 7.6 degrees per second
Loading Angle About +3 degrees
Notes:
1) All three cruiser classes had three 3-gun turrets of nearly the same design. The Königsberg and
Leipzieg classes used the same turret but Nürnberg had thicker frontal (8 cm vs. 3 cm) and rear armor (3.5
cm vs. 2 cm) and slightly more powerful elevation and training motors, which accounts for the weight and
speed differences.
2) The after two turrets on the Königsberg class were offset to allow for better machinery arrangements.
The turrets on Leipzieg and Nürnberg were all on the center line.
3) Power to these turrets was part electric, part hydraulic with hand loading and ramming. The magazines
were directly under the armored deck, with shells and cartridges stowed in the same spaces. Shells and
cartridges were manually carried to the revolving trunk where they were passed through double hand
troughs. Each gun was provided with a chain hoist which ran directly between the magazine and guns and
there were separate auxiliary bucket hoists at the rear of the main hoists. Shells and cartridges were
manually moved from the chain hoists to inclined ready trays and then manually loaded and rammed.
Each gun was fitted with its own individual gyroscopic firing gear thus eliminating laying errors at the gun.
.
Data from
"German Cruisers of World War Two" and "Lesser Known Warships of the Kriegsmarine No 1: The Light Cruiser
Nürnberg" article in "Warship Volume VI" both by M.J. Whitley

German 15 cm/45 (5.9") SK L/45
German
15 cm/45 (5.9") SK L/45
Updated 14 May 2006
These guns were used as secondary armament on all battleships and battlecruisers as well as on most cruisers built
during World War I. Some pre-war cruisers were rearmed with these weapons during the war.
In the 1920s this gun in the MPL C/16 mounting was used on the Light Cruiser Emden. During the Second World War,
this gun also equipped some of the famous merchant raiders and was used in coastal artillery mountings.
15 cm/45 Gun on SMS Ostfriesland

NARA Archives picture, courtesy of Peter Lienau

German 15 cm/45 (5.9") SK L/45
Sketch of one of the 15 cm guns on the KM Baden

Sketch courtesy of Peter Lienau
Light Cruiser Emden in the 1930s

WZB Photograph
Gun Characteristics
.
Most Capital Ships of World War I
Many cruisers were rearmed with this gun 1915-1918
Ship Class Used On
Emden (1925)
Merchant Raider Ships of World War II
Date Of Design 1906
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves 48
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
.

German 15 cm/45 (5.9") SK L/45
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
Bursting Charge
Projectile Length
World War I: 31.6 lbs. (14.35 kg) RPC/12
Propellant Charge World War II: 31.6 lbs. (14.35 kg) RPC/38
Nassau, Helgoland, von der Tann, Moltke, Brummer: 150 rounds
Kaiser, König, Bayern, Seydlitz, Derfflinger, Mackensen: 160 rounds
Blücher (1914): 165 rounds
Wiesbaden: 128 rounds
Königsberg (1918), Cöln: 130 rounds
Emden (1925): 120 rounds
.
Range
.
Range @ 20 degrees
14,760 yards (13,500 m)
(prior to 1915)
Range @ 27 degrees
18,373 yards (16,800 m)
(after 1915 and Emden 1925)
Range @ 30 degrees
19,250 yards (17,600 m)
(World War I cruisers)
Range @ 30 degrees
21,220 yards (19,400 m)
(World War II Raiders)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single pedestal mounts in casements
Nassau (12), Helgoland (14), Kaiser (14), von der Tann (10), Moltke (12) and
Blücher (8): MPL C/06
König (14), Seydlitz (12) and Derfflinger (12): MPL C/06.11
Designation Bayern (16), Hindenburg (14) and Mackensen (14): MPL C/13
Single pedestal mounts in open half-shields
Wiesbaden (8), Königsberg (8) and Cöln (8): MPL C/14

Emden (8): MPL C/16
Weight about 37,480 lbs. (17,000 kg)

German 15 cm/45 (5.9") SK L/45
MPL C/06: -7 / +20 degrees

MPL C/06.11: -10 / +19 degrees
MPL C/13: -8.5 / +19 degrees
Elevation
(see Note 1)
World War II Raiders: -10 / +30 degrees

Elevation Rate Manual operation, only
Train Rate Manual operation, only
Gun recoil N/A
Notes:
1) The elevations shown above are "as designed." After the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak), many guns were modified to
increase their maximum elevations to +27 degrees.
2) Emden was rearmed with 15 cm/48 SK C/36 guns in 1942.

.
Data from
"German Cruisers of World War Two", "Cruisers of World War Two" and "German Capital Ships of World War Two" all by M.J.
Whitley
and
Tony DiGiulian's personal data files
---

German 15 cm/45 (5.9") Tbts KL/45 and Ubts + Tbts KL/45
German
15 cm/45 (5.9") Tbts KL/45
15 cm/45 (5.9") Ubts + Tbts KL/45
A lighter weight gun used near the end of World War I on large destroyers and "U-boat Kreuzers." The
difference between the models was in the mountings, the guns themselves were identical.
Following the end of World War I, the German Destroyer S113 and other ships armed with these guns were
transferred to France as war reparations. The French were impressed with the operation of the semi-
automatic breeches used on these guns and copied the design for their 138.6 mm/40 (5.46") Model 1927.
The French later reused the German guns to arm two merchant cruisers during World War II.
During World War II the Germans used these guns to arm merchant ship raiders, supply ships and as
coastal artillery.
15 cm Ubts + Tbts KL/45 on U117 about 1918
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_59-45_tbts.htm (1 of 4)7/20/2006 14:42:25

15 cm Ubts + Tbts KL/45 on U124 about 1918. Note what appears to be a bore cleaning brush secured to the
deck.
In the background is USS L-2 (S-41)
Gun Characteristics
.
15 cm/45 (5.9") Tbts KL/45
Designation
15 cm/45 (5.9") Ubts + Tbts KL/45
German - 1918
S113 Destroyer class
U117 (Project 45), U127 (Project 42), U139 (Project 46) and U213 (Project 42A) U-
Ship Class Used On boat classes
French - 1939
Barfleur and Charles Plumier (armed merchant cruisers)


Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 858 in3 (14.06 dm3)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
Bursting Charge N/A
World War I: N/A
Propellant Charge
World War II: 18.34 lbs. (8.32 kg) RPC/38 (6.5/2.8)
S113: 90 rounds
U-Boat cruisers: 500 rounds
.
Range
.
World War I
15,860 yards (14,500 m)
Range @ 30 degrees
World War II
17,390 yards (15,900 m)
Range @ 30 degrees
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Single Pedestal Mounts
Weight N/A
Elevation N/A


Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"German Cruisers of World War Two", "Cruisers of World War Two" and "German Capital Ships of World War Two"
all by M.J. Whitley
and
Tony DiGiulian's personal data files
---

German 15 cm/40 (5.9") SK L/40
German
15 cm/40 (5.9") SK L/40
Updated 25 October 2004
These guns were used as secondary armament on many pre-dreadnoughts and large cruisers of the late
1890s and early 1900s. It was also exported to Austria-Hungary and used on a few ships.
During the Second World War, this gun equipped a few transports and supply ships and was used in some
coastal artillery batteries. Many of these were supplied with a new, more streamlined shell.
SMS Scharnhorst
The 15 cm (5.9") guns are in the hull casemates
Gun Characteristics
.
Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Victoria Louise, Fürst Bismarck, Prinz Heinrich, Prinz
Ship Class Used On
Adalbert, Roon and Scharnhorst (1907) classes

German 15 cm/40 (5.9") SK L/40

Gun Weight about 10,000 lbs. (5,000 kg)
Gun Length oa about 236 in (6.000 m)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
1898: N/A
WWII: 88.2 lbs. (40 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
1898: N/A
Muzzle Velocity
WWII: 2,625 fps (800 mps)
Kaiser Friedrich III: 120 rounds
Wittelsbach: 140 rounds
Victoria Louise, Fürst Bismarck and Prinz Heinrich: 120 rounds
Prinz Adalbert: 150 rounds
Roon: 160 rounds
Scharnhorst: 170 rounds
.
Range
.
Range @ 20 degrees
14,990 yards (13,700 m)
(1898)
Range @ 20 degrees
15,640 yards (14,300 m)
(World War II shell)
.
Mount / Turret Data

German 15 cm/40 (5.9") SK L/40
.
Single pedestal mounts in casements
Designation
Kaiser Friedrich III (18), Wittelsbach (18), Victoria Louise (8), Fürst Bismarck (12), Prinz
Heinrich (10), Prinz Adalbert (10), Roon (10) and Scharnhorst (6): MPL type
Weight about 37,480 lbs. (17,000 kg)
Elevation MPL: about -7 / +20 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
Note: The elevations shown above are "as designed." After the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak), many guns
were modified to increase their maximum elevations to +27 degrees.
.
Data from

German 12.7 cm (5") SK C/41
German
12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/41
Updated 09 May 2006
This was to be Germany's first DP destroyer gun. However, the two ships
intended to carry these guns, Z46 and Z47, were both severely damaged while
under construction in 1944 and never completed.
This gun fired fired very streamlined projectiles, some of which had ballistic caps
as much as 20crh. It is sometimes confused with the well-known 12.7 cm Flak 40
which was used to protect German cities but which was never mounted afloat.
Construction details are not known, but it is possible that it would have had
similar features as other late-war German guns, such as a three-piece barrel.
Nomenclature note: This gun was possibly also known as the "12.7 cm KM41"
gun.
All German 12.7 cm guns had an actual bore diameter of 12.8 cm (5.04 in).
Plans of Type 41 Destroyer

Sketch from "German Destroyers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley

Gun Characteristics
.
12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/41
Designation
(possibly also known as "12.7 cm KM41")
Planned for Z46 and later classes
Ship Class Used On
(Types 36C, 41, 42C and "Zerstörer 1945")
Date Of Design 1941
Date In Service N/A
Gun Weight 4.18 tons (4,250 kg)
Lands 0.197 in (5.0 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 35.9 to 1 29.9
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round 108 lbs. (49 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE - 61.7 lbs. (28 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete round was 53.0 in (134.6 cm)
Propellant Charge 22 lbs. (10 kg) RPC/40N (6.5/2.5)

Type 36C: 120 rounds

Type 41, 42C and Z1945: 180 rounds
.
Range
.
Elevation With 61.7 lbs. (28 kg) HE Shell
AA Ceiling @ 70 degrees about 40,000 feet (12,200 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Twin Mounts
Designation
Type 36C (3), Type 41 (2), Type 42C (3), "Z1945" (4): Drh LC/41
Weight 89,290 lbs. (40,500 kg)
-10 / +60 degrees
Elevation
("Naval Weapons of World War Two" says -15 / +52 degrees)
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
(Note: The above reference refers to this gun as the "KM41")

German 12.7 cm/61 (5") KM40 (Flakzwilling 40)
German
12.7 cm/61 (5") KM 40 (Navalized Flakzwilling 40)
The KM40 was the navalized version of the well-known 12.7 cm Flakzwilling 40 which
was an AAA gun mounted on Flak Towers in major cities. These guns were always used
in twin mountings and are "mirror" designs, that is, the left gun loads from the left side
and the right gun loads from the right side. Late in the war the design was modified to
produce a three-piece barrel so that scarce alloy steel could be saved by changing out
only the most worn section.
The KM40 was never mounted on a ship although design work for a twin turret with full
RPC was in progress when the war ended. There were a number of naval batteries with
the KM40 at major ports including one near Kiel with an armored enclosure. All guns
fired fixed ammunition.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_5-61_flak40.htm (1 of 3)7/20/2006 14:42:28

12.7 cm/61 Flakzwilling 40
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 12.7 cm/61 (5") KM40 (Flakzwilling 40)
Ship Class Used On N/A
Date Of Design 1940
Not mounted afloat
Date In Service
As flak batteries: 1942
Gun Weight about 10,580 lbs. (4,800 kg)
Lands 0.138 in (3.5 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 53.9 to 1 in 32.6
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round HE - 104.5 lbs. (47.4 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE - 57.32 lbs. (26.0 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A - complete round 58.6 in (148.77 cm)
22.3 lbs. (10.1 kg) RPC/38
Propellant Charge
Muzzle Velocity HE - 2,953 fps (900 mps)

Approximate Barrel Life about 1,500 rounds

Note: Projectiles were 10/2crh.
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Twin Mount: LM40
Weight N/A
Elevation Rate N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Note: The LM40 was the navalized mounting.
.
Data from
"Anti-Aircraft Guns" by P. Chamberlain & T. Gander
Special help from Daniel Muir

German 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
German
12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
Updated 15 May 2006
A low-angle weapon intended for surface action, this gun armed all of the German
destroyers built before the start of World War II and a few war-built ones. There was
also a twin mount planned for the never-built Type XI U-boats (U-Kreuzer).
Early guns were bored-out versions of the 10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28. The production
guns were constructed of a loose barrel, jacket and breech end piece with a vertical
sliding breech block.
Some of these guns were still in service as of 2003 in coastal defense units in Norway.
Destroyer Friedrich Ihn Z14

German 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
Diagram from "German Destroyers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
Destroyers: Z1, Z17 and Z35 classes
(Models 1934, 1936 and 1936B)
Ship Class Used On Torpedo Boats: T61 class, Grille, Bremse,
Leopard and Luchs
U-boats: Type XI
Date Of Design 1930
Date In Service
1934
(see Note 3)
Gun Weight
8,036 lbs. (3,645 kg)
(see Note 2)

German 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
(40) 0.059 in deep x 0.236 in (1.5 mm x 6.0

Grooves
mm)
Lands 0.157 in (4.0 mm)
Notes:
1) This weapon was designed for a ROF of 18 - 20 rounds per minute, but the above
figure was typical for well-trained crews. As these were open mounts, bad weather or
Arctic conditions could greatly reduce the ROF.
2) Converted 10.5 cm (4.1") SKC/28 guns weighed 7,848 lbs. (3,560 kg). Guns designed
for the Type XI U-Boats weighed 10,196 lbs. (4,625 kg) due to their increased breech
end weights.
3) The Type 24 torpedo boats Leopard and Luchs were used to test the prototypes of
these weapons and had their 10.5 cm/55 guns replaced in 1932. Much information was
gathered during these evaluations and the improved production version made its service
debut in 1934.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
Weight of Complete Round N/A
HE - 61.7 lbs. (28.0 kg)
ILLUM - 60.4 lbs. (27.4 kg)
Bursting Charge HE - 18.7 lbs. (8.5 kg)
Projectile Length 22.2 in (56.5 cm)
19.2 lbs. (8.7 kg) RPC/38 (6.4/2.6)
Propellant Charge
Cartridge - 35.3 lbs. (16 kg)
HE - 2,723 fps (830 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
ILLUM - 2,133 fps (650 mps)

German 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34

Z1, Z17 and Z35 classes: 120
rounds
Leopard and Luchs: 100 rounds
T61: 150 rounds
Type XI U-boats: 270 rounds
Grille and Bremse: N/A
Notes:
1) Outfits for destroyers were nose and base fuzed HE with and without tracer and 80
illumination rounds per ship.
2) Nammo Raufoss produced an anti-ship projectile (ASP M88) starting in 1989. This
projectile has the same interior and external ballistics as the earlier German rounds. The
projectile weighs 61.7 lbs. (28.0 kg) and has a bursting charge of 7.0 lbs. (3.2 kg).
3) HE had a radius of 8.6 calibers.

.
Range
.
Elevation With 61.7 lbs. (28 kg) HE Shell
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mount
Destroyers (5), T61 (4), Bremse (4), Leopard (3) and Luchs (3):
MPLC/34 or MPLC/28
Designation
Twin Mount
Type XI U-boats (2): Drh LC/38
LC/34: 22,487 lbs. (10,220 kg)
Weight
LC/38: 93,035 lbs. (42,200 kg)
LC/34: -10 / +30 degrees
Elevation
LC/38: -10 / +40 degrees

German 12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34
Elevation Rate Hand operated, only

Train 360 degrees
Train Rate Hand operated, only
Gun recoil N/A
Notes:
1) The twin mount does not appear to have had the guns individually sleeved.
2) The MPLC/28 mountings were converted from 10.5 cm mountings.

.
Data from
Charles Q. Cutshaw
"German Warships of World War II" by J.C. Taylor

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12

5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Updated 21 May 2006
This was unquestionably the finest Dual Purpose gun of World War II. Originally designed to arm
new destroyers being built in the 1930s, the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) wound up being used on nearly every
major US warship built between 1934 and 1945 and was still being used on new construction as
late as the 1960s. It was also used on many auxiliaries and smaller warships as well as on US
Coast Guard vessels. This standardization, unique in any navy, greatly helped the logistical
supply situation of the Pacific War.
These guns were hand-loaded, but power-rammed, which gave them a high rate of fire and a
capability of being easily loaded at any angle of elevation, both of which are highly desirable
qualities for an anti-aircraft weapon. The introduction of proximity-fuzed AA shells in 1943 made
this weapon an even more potent AAA gun.
The earliest mountings as used on USS Farragut (DD-348) were pedestal mounts with shell and
cartridge hoists located on the deck behind the gun mount. However, starting with USS Gridley
(DD-380), a new base-ring mounting with integral shell hoists on the axis of the mount was
introduced. This type of mounting meant that shells and cartridges could be passed directly to the
gun's breech at any angle of train, thus significantly improving the practical rate of fire. Most
subsequent designs, including all twin mountings, were similar, although a simpler base ring
mount lacking hoists was introduced in 1943 for use on auxiliary vessels.
There were some teething troubles when this gun was introduced in 1934, but a BuOrd report of
1945 states that during World War II they were considered to be highly reliable, robust and
accurate, a reputation they retained even after the end of the war when the 5"/54 (12.7 cm) series of
weapons were introduced. When coupled with the Mark 37 Fire Control System, used on most US
warships built between 1939 and 1946, these guns were quite effective in the AA role. For
example, during gunnery trials in 1941, USS North Carolina (BB-55) was able to repeatedly shoot
down drone aircraft at altitudes of 12,000 to 13,000 feet (3,700 to 4,000 m), about double the range
of the 5"/25 (12.7 cm) AA Mark 10 used on older ships.
These guns were introduced to the British Royal Navy in 1941-1942 when HMS Delhi was rebuilt in
New York Navy Yard. The British were impressed with the combination of the 5" (12.7 cm) gun and
Mark 37 Fire Control System and tried to purchase additional units, but the rapid ramping up of US
warship construction prevented any diversion.
The Mark A prototype for this gun was created from a cut-down 5"/51 (12.7 cm) Mark 9, the only
version of that weapon that used semi-fixed ammunition.
Mods 0 and 1 were of autofretted monobloc construction and used a semi-automatic vertical
sliding wedge breech mechanism. The gun barrel was secured to the housing by a bayonet joint,
thus allowing easy barrel replacement. Mod 2 used a non-expanded barrel of higher strength
steel. Over 8,000 of these weapons were produced between 1934 and 1945, broken down as 2,168
guns in single mountings, 2,714 guns in twin mountings and 3,298 guns in single mountings for
auxiliary ships. These figures may not include guns produced prior to 1 July 1940, at which time

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
there were 315 single, 52 twin SP and eight twin DP mountings in the entire US Fleet. Millions of
rounds of ammunition were produced for these guns, with over 720,000 rounds still remaining in
Navy storage depots in the mid-1980s.
USS Atlanta CL-51 refueling in October 1942

Early units of the Atlanta Class light cruisers carried sixteen 5"/38 (12.7 cm) guns, giving them the
heaviest AAA broadside of any USN warship of World War II
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
.
Designation 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
1934 to 1948
First used on USS Farragut (DD-348)
Used on nearly all World War II-era new-

construction warships destroyer-sized and larger
along with many auxiliaries and smaller warships
Also used to rearm many older ships such as

battleships and USS Saratoga (CV-3)
HMS Delhi was refitted with these guns in 1942

Ship Class Used On
Post-World War II
USA: Brooke (FFG-1), Garcia (FF-1040), Long

Beach (CGN-9), Albany (CG-10) and USCG
Hamilton (WHEC-715) classes
Danish: Peder Skram class frigates
Italian: Impetuoso (D558) and San Giorgio

(D562) classes
Gun Weight 3,990 lbs. (1,810 kg) without breech
Grooves 45
Lands N/A
Pedestal and other mounts lacking integral
hoists: 12 - 15 rounds per minute
Rate Of Fire
Base ring mounts with integral hoists: 15 - 22
rounds per minute

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Note: Barrel was chrome plated from the muzzle to include all rifling, the projectile band slope and
the forward portion of the chamber. Total length of plating was 164.5 in (4.178 m) and was 0.00050
in (0.0127 mm) thick.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
AP - 54.0 lbs. (24.5 kg)
AAC Marks 31 and 35 - 55.18 lbs. (25.0 kg)
Common Mark 32 - 54.0 lbs. (24.5 kg)
Mark 33 Bombardment - 63.3 lbs. (28.7 kg)
AAVT Marks 35 and 49 - 54.61 lbs. (24.8 kg)
HC Marks 35 and 49 - 54.3 lbs. (24.6 kg)
Special Common Marks 38 and 46 - 55.18 lbs.
(25.0 kg)
RAP Mark 57 - 54.3 lbs. (24.6 kg)
Illum Marks 27 and 45 - 54.39 lbs. (24.7 kg)
AAC - 7.6 lbs. (3.4 kg)
AAVT - 7.9 lbs. (3.6 kg)
Bursting Charge Common - 2 lbs. (0.9 kg)
HC - 7.6 lbs. (3.4 kg)
RAP - 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg)
Flashless: 15.5 lbs. (7.031 kg) NF
Propellant Charge Non-flashless: 15.4 lbs. (6.986 kg) NC
Empty cartridge case weighed 13.25 lbs. (6.01 kg)

New gun: 2,600 fps (792 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Average gun: 2,500 fps (762 mps)

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Yorktown (CV-6) and Essex (CV-9): 450 rounds
North Carolina (BB-55), South Dakota (BB-57) and

Iowa (BB-61): 450 rounds
Cleveland (CL-55), Baltimore (CA-68), Alaska (CB-

1): 500 rounds
Atlanta (CL-51): 450 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun Pre-war destroyers of the Farragut (DD-348)

(see Note 3) through Sims (DD-409) classes: 300 rounds
Benson (DD-421) and Gleaves (DD-423): 320 -

360 rounds
Fletcher (DD-445): 350 rounds (420 in later ships)
Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Gearing (DD-710):

360 rounds
Others: N/A
Notes:
1) Rounds were normally 5.25crh.
2) Some rounds may have been slightly boat-tailed.
3) Outfits listed are the design figures. Pre-war destroyers normally carried about 100 to 150 rounds
per gun plus 100 illumination rounds per ship with the balance carried in magazines on Destroyer
Tenders (AD). After 1940 outfits were increased to the numbers listed above plus about 200
illumination rounds per ship. As the war went on, ammunition stowage on new designs was
increased where possible. Some examples: Late war Fletcher (DD-445) class carried 525 rounds
per gun in magazines plus 50 ready rounds per gun. Late war A.M. Sumner (DD-692) class carried
422 rounds per gun in magazines plus 50 ready rounds per gun. The A.M. Sumner class also
carried 292 illumination rounds per ship in magazines plus 48 ready illumination rounds per ship.
However, the stowage for pre-war destroyers could not be so greatly increased. For example, the
Farragut class USS Aylwin (DD-355) had about 250 rounds per gun in magazines plus 50 ready
rounds per gun in 1944. The rebuilt USS Selfridge (DD-357), which had traded her eight SP guns for
five DP guns after receiving torpedo damage in 1943, carried about 260 rounds per gun in
magazines and 43 ready rounds per gun plus 85 illumination rounds per ship in 1944. Battleships
carried 500 rounds per gun plus 40 special types per gun in magazines and 55 rounds ready rounds
per gun. Ready rounds for all ships were stored in handling rooms usually located directly below
each mount.
4) The cartridge cases were sealed with cork plugs which extended about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) past the
mouth of the case.

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
5) AA Common rounds used both nose and base fuzes. The base fuze was an instantaneous
contact type while the nose fuze was a adjustable time delay type.
6) Outfits for most ships during World War II were usually AA Common plus illumination. The Porter
(DD-356) and Somers (DD-381) classes carried mostly Common as they were armed with SP guns,
but they did carry a few AA Common rounds intended for use against torpedo bombers and other
low-flying planes.
7) The Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) round was developed during the 1960s. The rocket engine
burned for 40 seconds.
8) Projectiles leave the barrel rotating at about 208 RPS.
9) The illumination round burns for approximately 50 seconds.

.
Range
.
With AAC Mark 49 With WP Mark 46
Elevation 55.18 lbs. (25.03 kg) 53 lbs. (24.04 kg)
MV of 2,500 fps (762 mps) MV of 2,600 fps (792 mps)
10 degrees 9,506 yards (8,692 m) 9,800 yards (8,960 m)
AA Ceiling 37,200 feet (11,887 m) ---
Notes:
1) At a new gun muzzle velocity of 2,600 fps (792 mps), the AAC Mark 49 had a maximum range of
18,200 yards (16,640 m).
2) This weapon had a maximum slant range of 12,000 yards (11,000 m).
3) RAP round had a maximum range of 23,770 yards (21,735 m).
4) Time of flight for AAC projectile with MV = 2,500 fps (762 mps):
5,000 yards (4,570 m): 8.0 seconds
10,000 yards (9,140 m): 22.0 seconds

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
15,000 yards (13,720 m): 43.0 seconds

17,270 yards (15,790 m): 68.8 seconds
.
Armor Penetration with 54 lbs. (24.5 kg) AP Shell

.
4,000 yards (3,660 m) 5.0" (127 mm) ---
5,400 yards (4,940 m) 4.0" (102 mm) ---
7,400 yards (6,770 m) 3.0" (76 mm) ---
11,000 yards (10,060 m) 2.0" (51 mm) ---
13,800 yards (12,620 m) --- 1.0" (25 mm)
Notes:
1) These figures are taken from USN armor penetration curves published in 1942.
2) It should be noted that US ships during World War II did not normally carry AP ammunition for
these guns as the AA Common projectiles were considered to be more useful against a greater
variety of targets.
.
Armor Penetration with 55.18 lbs. (25.0 kg) AA Common Shell

.
10,000 yards (9,140 m) 1.5" (38 mm) ---
Notes:
1) Data from "Destroyer Weapons of World War 2."
2) As noted above, this projectile was carried by most ships instead of AP rounds.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Single Open or Open-back Pedestal Mounts

Farragut (5) and Mahan (5): Mark 21
Gridley (2), Dunlap (3) and Bagley (2): Mark 21
[stern mounts]
Wichita (4): Either Mark 21 or Mark 24
Yorktown (8) and Enterprise (8): Mark 21 Mod 16
Wasp (8): Mark 24 Mod 1
Hornet (8): Mark 24 Mod 2
Independence (2) and Essex (4): Mark 24 Mod 11
Single Enclosed Base Ring Mounts

Gridley (2) and Dunlap (2): Mark 25 [bow mounts]
Wichita (4): Mark 30 Mods 0, 4 and 5
Bagley (2) and Benham (2): Mark 30 Mods 0 and
2 [bow mounts]
Sims (3): Mark 30 Mods 0 and 2 [mounts 1, 2 and
5]
Benson (3) and Gleaves (3): Mark 30 many
different Mods [mounts 1, 2 and 5]
Fletcher (5): Mark 30 many different Mods
Rudderdow (2) and John C. Butler (2): Mark 30
Mod 42
HMS Delhi (5): Mark 30 Mods 6, 7 and 8
Designation
(see Notes 1 and 22) Single Open Base Ring Mounts
Benham (2): Mark 30 Mod 1 [stern mounts]
Sims (2), Benson (2) and Gleaves (2): Mark 30
Mod 1 [mounts 3 and 4]
Escort Carriers (1 or 2): Mark 30 Mod 80
Twin Enclosed Base Ring Mounts

Porter (4) and Somers (4): Mark 22
North Carolina (10) and South Dakota (8) or (10):
Mark 28 Mod 0
Iowa (10): Mark 28 Mod 2
St. Louis (4) and early Atlanta (8): Mark 29 Mod 0
Later Atlanta (6): Mark 29 Mod 0
Baltimore (6) and Cleveland (6): Mark 32 Mod 0
Essex (4): Mark 32 Mod 0 and Mod 2
Alaska (6): Mark 32 Mod 4
A.M. Sumner (3) and Gearing (3): Mark 38
Postwar Construction
Single Open: Albany (2): Mark 30
Single Enclosed: Brooke (1), Garcia (2), Long
Beach (2) and USCG Hamilton (1): Mark 30
Twin Enclosed: Danish Peder Skram (2), Italian
Impetuoso (2) and Italian San Giorgio (3): Mark 38

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Single Open Pedestal Mounts

Mark 21: 29,260 lbs. (13,272 kg)
Mark 24: 31,200 lbs. (14,152 kg)
Single Open Base Ring Mounts

Mark 30 Mod 1: 33,500 lbs. (15,195 kg)
Mark 37: 34,700 lbs. (15,740 kg)
Single Enclosed Base Ring Mounts

Mark 25: 42,000-44,900 lbs. (19,051-20,367 kg)
Weight
Mark 30 Mod 0: 40,900 lbs. (18,552 kg)
(see Note 11)
Mark 30 Mod 41: 41,400 lbs. (18,779 kg)
Twin Enclosed Base Ring Mounts

Mark 22 Mod 0: 75,250 lbs. (34,133 kg)
Mark 28 Mod 0: 156,295 lbs. (70,894 kg)
Mark 28 Mod 2: 170,635 lbs. (77,399 kg)
Mark 29 Mod 0: 108,000 lbs. (49,000 kg)
Mark 32 Mod 0: 105,600 lbs. (47,899 kg)
Mark 32 Mod 4: 120,369 lbs. (54,598 kg)
Mark 38 Mod 0: 95,700 lbs. (43,409 kg)
Single Mounts
All with the following exceptions: -15 / +85 degrees
Mark 24 Mod 11: -10 / +85 degrees
Elevation
(see Note 3)
Twin Mounts
All except Mark 22: -15 / +85 degrees
Single Mounts
Mark 30: 15 degrees per second (GE controls)
Mark 30: 18 degrees per second (Ford controls)
Elevation Rate
Twin Mounts
Mark 22: 11.6 degrees per second
Destroyers: Depending upon position, arc of 284
degrees up to an arc of 330 degrees
Cruisers and Capital ships: Bow and stern mounts:
Train
about -150 / +150 degrees
Cruisers and Capital ships: Broadside mounts:
about -80 / +80 degrees

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
Single Mounts
Mark 30: 28.75 degrees per second (GE controls)
Mark 30: 34 degrees per second (Ford controls)
Train Rate
Twin Mounts
Loading Angle Any
Gun recoil All mounts except Mark 22: 15 in (38 cm)
(see Note 10) Mark 22: 19 in (48 cm)
Notes:
1) The mounting types, designations and quantities shown in this table are primarily for warships "as
commissioned" and are mainly the result of my research for a Tech Board essay on USN naval gun
mounting production during World War II. These may not be in agreement with many published
works, but I believe them to be correct.
2) The Mark 21 pedestal mounts were at the limit of turning masses that could be easily
manhandled. To get to this weight, BuOrd sacrificed shields and ammunition hoists and accepted
the resulting lower rate of fire. These guns were fed from deck mounted scuttles, from which rounds
could be passed to a rack of fuze-setters on the rotating mount. Mark 21 bow mounts on destroyers
had simple open-back shields added. These were notable for having a bulge on one side to
accommodate the fuze-setter rack. Single open mounts of the Mark 21 series were originally hand
worked, but RPC was added during the war to most ships with 1.5 hp elevating and 2 hp training
motors.
3) As a weight savings, the Mark 22 base ring twin mounts used on the Porter (DD-356) and Somers
(DD-381) destroyer classes were limited to +35 degrees of elevation. These mountings used a 15
hp training motor and a 5 hp elevating motor. The Mark 22 was the only SP mounting ever
developed for these weapons and was replaced with DP mountings on those destroyers modernized
during World War II. Almost all other mountings allowed +85 degrees of positive elevation, with the
exception of those for specific applications, such as the Mark 30 Mod 80, which was installed on
escort carriers under the flight deck overhang. Most single mountings had a maximum negative
elevation of -15 degrees, but a few were restricted to -7 or -10 degrees for application reasons.
4) The Mark 24 series were improved pedestal mounts that had RPC as designed and were powered
by a single 5 or 10 hp motor which worked both elevation and train along with a 5 or 7.5 hp motor for
ramming. Hoists were in the fixed structure for these mountings. These mountings were considered
to be near the maximum weight possible that would still allow them to be hand worked in an
emergency. Many of these mountings had the familiar fuze-setter racks on the platform, controlled
by their Mark 33 and Mark 37 Fire Control Systems (FCS).
5) The Mark 25 was the prototype enclosed base ring mounting. As best as I have been able to
determine, these were only used for the bow mounts on the four destroyers of the Gridley (DD-380)

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
class and for the bow mounts on USS Dunlap (DD-384) and USS Fanning (DD-385). As such, these
last two ships formed a sub-class within the Mahan (DD-364) class, as all other ships of the Mahan
class used Mark 21 pedestal mounts in all positions. Some of these Mark 25 mounts appear to have
been replaced with Mark 30 enclosed base ring mounts during the war.
6) The Mark 30 enclosed base ring mounts were first introduced on USS Wichita (CA-45) and were
used for most single mountings built during the war. The Mark 30 ran up to Mod 86, with Mod 0
being the original enclosed mounting and Mod 1 being the original open mounting. There were also
semi-enclosed mounts which had the upper half of the shield removed with a canvas cover to protect
the interior of the mount. Many of the Mark 30 modifications were trivial in nature. For example,
USS Fletcher (DD-445) used Mod 16 in positions 1 and 5, Mod 19 in position 2, Mod 30 in position 3
and Mod 31 in position 4. The differences were mainly related to the elevation and training
limitations inherent in the different mounting positions. Escort Carriers (CVE) completed during the
war used Mark 30 Mod 80 which was a simplified base ring mounting which lacked shields, axial
hoists and RPC. The single open Mark 30 Mod 48, Mark 30 Mod 51 and Mark 37 mountings were
simplified base-ring types for auxiliaries and merchant ships and lacked integral shell hoists. The
Mark 37 also had a simplified sighting system as it was designed to be used only in local control.
7) Almost all Mark 25 and Mark 30 base ring single mounts had an integral shell hoist on the axis of
the mounting which allowed shells to be passed directly to the gun at any angle of train. Fuzes were
automatically set as the shells traveled up the hoist. Cartridges were passed up to the gun through a
scuttle also on the rotating mass. These base ring mounts with integral shell hoists and cartridge
scuttles had the advantage that projectiles and cartridges were presented to the loaders at exactly
the same position and orientation regardless of the mount's elevation or training and thus simplified
and sped up the loading procedure. Both the shell hoist and the cartridge scuttle were on the right
side of the mount. Mark 25 and enclosed Mark 30 base ring mountings used a single 10 hp motor to
work both elevation and train, a 7.5 hp motor for the hoists and a 7.5 hp or 5 hp motor for ramming.
8) Destroyers of the Gridley (DD-380), Dunlap (DD-384) and Bagley (DD-386) classes had
something of a mixed battery, as they had enclosed base ring mountings on the bow, but open
pedestal mountings on the stern. USS Benham (DD-397) was the first destroyer with a uniform
battery of base ring single mountings, although the stern mounts were still of the open type. It was
not until the larger Fletcher (DD-445) class that destroyers had all five guns in enclosed mountings.
9) All twin mounts were base ring types and were generally similar to single enclosed base ring
mounts. Twin mounts differed from single mounts in that there were twin powder hoists for the
cartridges as well as twin shell hoists. The hoists for the right gun came up through the deck on the
left side of the gun while those for the left gun came up on the right side. Twin mounts took about 27
crewmen in the mount itself and in the upper handling room. Additional personnel were required in
the lower handling room during sustained firing periods.
10) The maximum, metal to metal recoil distance for most mountings was 19 inches (48 cm).
11) The major differences in weight for enclosed mountings was from the thickness of the shield,
which ran from 0.25" (0.64 cm) for destroyer mountings up to 2.5" (6.4 cm) on battleships.
12) Ramming was power-worked on all mountings and was either pneumatic or by a 5 hp motor with
hydraulic drive. This allowed any-angle loading and thus a high rate of fire even at high elevations.

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
In an emergency, ramming could be performed manually.
13) Most of the five-gun destroyers built prior to 1942 had one mounting removed during the war as
weight compensation for growth in other areas, such as ASW equipment, light AA and electronic
installations. Some four-gun destroyers lost one or both gun shields on the stern mountings as
weight compensation. The Sims (DD-409), Benson (DD-421) and Gleaves (DD-423) classes started
out with three enclosed mountings (mounts 1, 2 and 5) and two open mountings (mounts 3 and 4).
After experience with an Atlantic winter in 1941-42, the open mounts were replaced with open-top,
semi-enclosed mounts with a canvas cover for weather protection. Later, mount 3 was removed
entirely from these ships. During her refit in the summer of 1945, USS Shaw (DD-373) was found to
be significantly overweight, probably because of the structural strengthening performed during her
reconstruction in 1942 following major damage received during the Pearl Harbor attack. As a result,
she was reduced to three 5" (12.7 cm) guns to allow for additional light AA guns. All of her torpedo
tubes were also removed during this refit.
14) Some destroyer escorts had the back of the shield of their bow mounting cut off at an angle to
allow for Hedgehogs firing directly ahead.
15) USS Savannah (CL-42) had her 5"/25 (12.7 cm) guns replaced with 5"/38 (12.7 cm) guns in
1944.
16) Many older ships were rearmed with these guns during the war. For example, in 1942 USS
Saratoga (CV-3) was rearmed with four 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 32 Mod 2 twin mountings and eight
5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 30 Mod 33 single mountings.
17) All twin DP mountings were equipped with RPC gear and powered by electric motors through
hydraulic gear. Training was by a 4 hp motor while the guns were elevated by a 7.5 or 10 hp motor.
Each gun had a 7.5 or 10 hp motor for the hoists and a 5 or 7 hp motor for the rammer.
18) USS Yorktown (CV-5) and Enterprise (CV-6) were originally designed with eight Mark 21 Mod 1
pedestal mounts. During construction, it became apparent that there was not enough clearance
around the deck edge for this Mod. For that reason, the mounts were redesigned to have a lower
loader's platform and then designated as Mark 21 Mod 16. Yorktown was sunk with these mounts,
but Enterprise had hers replaced with Mark 24 Mod 11 mounts during her overhaul at Puget Sound
in 1943. Sister-ship Hornet (CV-8) was completed with eight Mark 24 Mod 2 mounts.
19) Most USS Essex (CV-9) class carriers were completed with four Mark 32 twin mounts, mainly
Mods 0, 2 and 4, and four Mark 24 Mod 11 pedestal single mounts. Post-war, a few of these ships
had their pedestal mounts replaced with Mark 30 base ring mountings for reasons that are not clear.
By the mid-1960s, all of the twin mountings were removed from those carriers still in commission.
20) USS Independence (CVL-22) was completed with two Mark 24 Mod 11 mounts, but these were
removed soon after commissioning at the CO's request. No other carrier of this class was
commissioned with these guns.
21) The Mark 22 SP twin mounting had the gun axes 72 inches (183 cm) apart. All DP twin
mountings had the gun axes 84 inches (213 cm) apart.

USA 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12
22) According to Danish Naval History, these guns when used on the Peder Skram class frigates
were designated as 127 mm Gun K M/60 LvSa2. These ships each had one of their Mark 38
mountings removed to fit Harpoon Launchers during the 1980s.
23) USCG Hamilton (WHEC-715) was rebuilt starting in 1985 and had her 5"/38 (12.7 cm) gun
replaced with a 76 mm (3") Mark 75.
.
.
Click here for a description of what it was like to crew these guns
.
Data from
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92", "US Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated
Design History," "US Battleships: An Illustrated Design History", "US Cruisers: An Illustrated Design
History", "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History", "Warship Volume II" article and "US Naval
Weapons" all by Norman Friedman
"Destroyer Weapons of World War 2" by Peter Hodges and Norman Friedman
"Battleships: United States Battleships, 1935-1992" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin, Jr.
"U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance in World War II" by Lt. Cmdr. Buford Rowland, USNR, and Lt. William B.
Boyd, USNR
"US Warships of World War II" by Paul Silverstone
"Battleships" by Paul Stillwell
"Iowa Class Battleships" by Robert F. Sumrall
"Destroyers of World War Two" and "Cruisers of World War Two" both by M.J. Whitley
"Nomenclature of USN Aircraft Carrier Gun Mounts" by Christopher C. Wright, a letter published in Warship
International No. 2, 1998
---
"Naval Ordnance and Gunnery - 1952" Navpers 16116-B
"5-inch Gun Mounts - Mark 30 and Mark 30 Modifications - Ordnance Pamphlet No. 735" by the Bureau of
Ordnance
---
Special help from Leo Fischer
Off-Site Resources
Operating Instructions for Five Inch, 38 Caliber, Gun Crews on the HNSA Website

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
German
10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon was used primarily as AAA on cruisers and capital ships, although
it could be used against surface targets. A reasonably good weapon, but its
training and elevation rates were rather slow. Replaced the older 8.8 cm (3.5") SK
C/31 on newer ships.
Note the triaxial mounting in the picture below. This was intended to be able to
compensate for the motion of the ship and so maintain target lock.
Unfortunately, this mounting proved to be susceptible to electrical faults as it
was not sufficiently waterproofed and the mountings were opened to the
weather. These earlier mounts had limited RPC. The "H" class battleships were
to have much improved enclosed mounts with full RPC, but these ships were
never completed.
Earlier guns were of loose barrel construction but later guns had a two-piece
barrel with a heavier jacket and were considerably lighter. Finally, the two pieces
were redesigned as a forward loose muzzle piece and the rear part as a short
loose liner. These last two guns were then known as SK C/33 na and SK C/33 nT,
respectively.

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
10.5 cm/65 SK C/33 Twin Mounting showing the triaxial motion
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
.
Designation 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
Deutschland, Scharnhorst, Bismarck, "H," Hipper and
Ship Class Used On
Prinz Eugen classes
Date Of Design 1933
Lands 0.144 in (3.66 mm)
Rate Of Fire 15-18 rounds per minute
Note: The earlier loose-barrel weighed 2,370 lbs. (1,075 kg) while the later two-piece
barrel weighed 1,653 lbs. (750 kg).
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
HE - 58.4 lbs. (26.5 kg) (with RPC32)
Weight of Complete Round HE - 60.3 lbs. (27.35 kg) (with RPC40)
HE, Incendiary - 51.8 lbs. (23.5 kg)
HE - 33.3 lbs. (15.1 kg)
AP - 34.8 lbs. (15.8 kg)
HE, Incendiary - 34.8 lbs. (15.8 kg)
Illum - 32.4 lbs. (14.7 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
HE - 18.1 in (45.9 cm)

HE, Incendiary - 17.2 in (43.8 cm)
Projectile Length HE Complete Round - 45.83 in (116.4 cm)
HE, Incendiary Complete Round - 44.96 in
(114.2 cm)
Propellant Charge 11.46 lbs. (5.2 kg) RPC/32
(see Note 4) 13.34 lbs. (6.05 kg) RPC/40N
HE - 2,952 fps (900 mps)
Muzzle Velocity AP - N/A
Working Pressure 18 tons/in2 (2,850 kg/cm2)
Scharnhorst, Bismarck, "H", Graf
Ammunition stowage per gun Zeppelin: 400 rounds
(see Note 2) Adm. Graf Spee: 400 - 500 rounds
Hipper: 420 rounds
Notes:
1) The above Barrel Life figure is from "German Capital Ships of World War Two."
"Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" credit this weapon with a life
of 4,100 rounds. It is possible that these different values are for different mods of this
weapon.
2) These are the design figures. "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the actual
outfit for Bismarck was 420 rounds and that for the Hipper was 400 rounds.
3) Outfit for warships was HE and HE incendiary, both nose and base fuzed and with or
without tracer and illumination. Depot ships included AP rounds in their outfits, but this
was rarely carried by warships.
4) As originally introduced, cartridges for these weapons used RPC/32 propellant.

RPC/40N was the most common propellant used during World War II.
.
Range
.

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33

.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Twin Mounts
Scharnhorst (6), Lützow (3), Hipper (6)
and Prinz Eugen (6): Dop. L. C/31
Bismarck:
Designation
Four forward mountings: Dop. L. C/31
Four aft mountings: Dop. L. C/37
Tirpitz (8): Dop. L. C/37
"H" (8): Dop. L. C/38
Dop. L. C/31: 61,300 lbs. (27,805 kg)
Weight Dop. L. C/37: 59,646 lbs. (27,055 kg)
Dop. L. C/38: about 97,000 lbs. (44,000 kg)
C/31: -8 / +80 degrees
Elevation
C/37 and C/38: -10 / +80 degrees
Dop. L. C/31: 10 degrees per second
Elevation Rate Dop. L. C/37 and C/38: 12 degrees per
second
Train 360 degrees
Dop. L. C/31: 8.0 degrees per second
Dop. L. C/37: 8.5 degrees per second
Train Rate
Dop. L. C/38: 10 degrees per second (20
degrees per second slew speed)
Cross Leveling - 17 / +17 degrees
Cross Leveling Rate Dop. L. C/37: 8 degrees per second

German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
Notes:
1) "Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" credits the C/37 and C/38
mounts with -15 / +85 degrees elevation.
2) The Dop. L. C/31 was originally developed for the 8.8 cm AA gun used on earlier
ships. This mounting was then adapted for use with 10.5 cm guns.
3) The mixing of Dop. L/31 and Dop. L./37 mountings on Bismarck may partially
account for her poor showing against British aircraft during her only operational sortie.
These mounts had different training and elevating characteristics that were apparently
not accounted for in her AA fire control systems.
4) Twin mounts had a crew of six on-mount plus ammunition passers.

.
Data from
"Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin,
Jr.
"Warship Volume III" article by Lawrence Sowinski
"German Capital Ships of World War Two" and "German Cruisers of World War Two" both by
M.J. Whitley

German 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32
German
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon was used to arm almost all Torpedo Boats built between 1936 and
1945 as well as on many smaller vessels. A wet-mount version was developed
for U-Boats. Also exported to Spain in the 1940s.
Many of the older, World War I-era, 10.5 cm SK L/45 weapons were modified
during the 1930s and 1940s to use the same ammunition as the SK C/32 and
these guns then had similar performance.
Some of these guns were still in service as of 2002 in Norwegian coastal defense
units.
A type T23/T24 class Torpedo Boat
Gun Characteristics
.

German 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32
German
T1 and T22 Torpedo Boat classes (Type 35 and Type 37)
Also used on F-boats and some M261 (Type 40) minesweepers
Wet-mount used on Type I, IX and X U-Boats
Emden replaced her three 8.8 cm/45 guns with three of these
Ship Class Used On
guns in 1944
Spain
Almirante Cervera, Eolo class minesweepers and gunboat
Canalejas
Date Of Design 1932
Lands 0.138 in (3.5 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
AP - N/A
Complete Round Weight
HE - 53.35 lbs. (24.2 kg)
AP - N/A
Projectiles and Weight
HE - 33.3 lbs. (15.1 kg)
AP - N/A
Bursting Charge
HE - 8.4 lbs. (3.8 kg)

German 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32
18.1 in (45.9 cm)

Projectile Length Complete round was 41.4 in (105.2
cm)
9.0 lbs. (4.08 kg) RPC/40N (4.4/1.7)
Propellant Charge
T1, T22 and M261: 120 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun Type I U-boat: 120 rounds
Type IX U-boat: 110 rounds
Note: Nammo Raufoss produced an anti-ship projectile (ASP M85) for the Norwegian
Coastal Defense batteries between 1986 and 1988. This projectile has the same
interior and external ballistics as the earlier German rounds. Complete round weighs
53.8 lbs. (24.42 kg) and the projectile 33.3 lbs. (15.1 kg) with a bursting charge of 3.6
lbs. (1.63 kg).
.
Range
.
AA Range @ 80 degrees 33,800 feet (10,300 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single mounts
Torpedo Boats (1): MPL C/32 and MPL C/32ge
Designation Type I and Type IX U-Boats (1): Ubts LC/32
Type IX and Type X U-Boats (1): Ubts LC/36
Smaller boats: MPLC/30 (originally built for 8.8 cm guns)

German 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32
MPL C/32: 14,297 lbs. (6,485 kg)

MPL C/32ge: 14,771 lbs. (6,750 kg)
Weight Ubts LC/32: 10,957 lbs. (4,970 kg)
Ubts LC/36: 10,141 lbs. (4,600 kg)
MPLC/30: 15,234 lbs. (6,910 kg)
MPL C/32ge: -10 / +70 degrees
Elevation Ubts LC/32: -10 / +35 degrees
Ubts LC/36: -10 / +30 degrees
MPLC/30: -9 / +80 degrees
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
Charles Q. Cutshaw
"German Destroyers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley (2nd Edition)

German 10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28
German
10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28
Updated 10 May 2006
The first post-World War I naval gun developed by Germany. A good weapon for
its size but considered to be somewhat heavy for a hand-worked mount. Most of
the Torpedo Boats had these guns replaced by the 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32 in
the 1930s, but Jaguar still carried them as late as 1944.
Some of these guns were bored out and became the early models of the 12.7
cm/45 (5") SK C/34.
Torpedo Boat Leopard

Photograph copyrighted by P.A. Vicary

German 10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28
10.5 cm gun on Training Ship Bremse
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Bremse and Wolf Classes
Date Of Design 1928
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
.

German 10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight N/A [probably around 53 lbs. (24 kg)]
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length 18.1 in (459 mm)
Propellant Charge 11.8 lbs. (5.37 kg) RPC/32 (6.5/3.5)
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mounts
Designation
Bremse (4) and Wolf (3): MPL C/30
Weight N/A
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
Note: These guns were removed from Leopard, Luchs and Bremse and replaced with
12.7 cm/45 (5") SK C/34.

German 10.5 cm/55 (4.1") SK C/28
Data from
"German Warships of World War II" by J.C. Taylor

German 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/06, Flak L/45, Tbts L/45 and Ubts L/45
German
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/06
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Flak L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Tbts L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Ubts L/45
Updated 20 May 2006
This weapon armed most cruisers built in the early 1900s, with 125 guns manufactured during that time.
During World War I, additional guns were built and used as AAA weapons. Late in the war some destroyers
and submarines were also armed with these weapons.
During World War II, most surviving guns were altered to take the same ammunition as the 10.5 cm/45 SK C/32
and were then used on U-boats and small combatants.

10.5 cm Ubts L/45 from U98 now at the Imperial War Museum in London, UK
Note the horizontally sliding breech block and top-mounted recoil cylinders
Photograph copyrighted by Vladimir Yakubov
Light Cruiser Cöln-II in 1918

German AA Ship Nymphe (ex-Norwegian Tordenskjold) during World War II

I believe these to be 10.5 cm Flak 45 guns
Gun Characteristics
.
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") SK C/06
Designation 10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Flak L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Tbts L/45
10.5 cm/45 (4.1") Ubts L/45
1907 to 1918
Cruisers: Kolberg, Magdeburg, Karlsruhe and Graudenz classes
Destroyers: G96 and V170 classes
Submarines: U61 and U62
Ship Class Used On
1925 to 1945
Möwe class, F-boats, Type 40 and older minesweepers
Some Type VII submarines as refitted
Date Of Design 1906


Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
AP - N/A
HE - 56.2 lbs. (25.5 kg)
AP - N/A
HE - 38.4 lbs. (17.4 kg)
AP - N/A
Bursting Charge
HE - N/A
1907 to 1918
Cruisers: 150 rounds (later increased to 183)
Destroyers: 80 rounds
Submarines: Between 100 and 250 rounds
1925 to 1945
Möwe: 100 rounds
Others: N/A
.
Range
.
AA Ceiling
about 27,000 feet (8,230 m)
(Flak 45 only)

Note: This data is for performance during World War I. For performance during World War II, see the 10.5
cm/45 (4.1") SK C/32 data page.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
1907 to 1918
Cruisers (12): MPL C/06
Destroyers (3): Tbts LC/16
Submarines (1): Ubts LC/16
Capital Ships (AA Mountings): Flak 45
Designation
1925 to 1945
Möwe (3) Tbts LC/16
Some small combatants used the MPLC/30 which was an 8.8 cm mounting modified to take
the larger weapon
Weight 6,020 lbs. (2,730 kg)
Tbts LC/16: -10 / +50 degrees
Elevation Ubts LC/16: -10 / +50 degrees
Flak 45: -5 / +70 degrees
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil 8 - 9 in (20 - 23 cm)
.
Data from
---

German 10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40
German
10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40
Updated 17 May 2006
Used on cruisers and gunboats of the early 1900s. Some of these guns still served
during World War II in coastal batteries and on small combatants.
Light Cruiser Undine

German 10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40
10.5 cm/40 SK L/40

The gun pictured above and below is now at Memorial Park in Cambridge, New York. This
gun was originally on either the gunboat Tiger or the gunboat Luchs. After those ships were
moved to Tsingtau, China, early in World War I, some of their guns were removed and then
mounted on the Hilfskreuzer (Auxiliary Cruiser) Prinz Eitel Friedrich. Following a successful
war-cruise where she sank eleven enemy merchantmen, this ship entered Norfolk, Virginia, for
repairs on 11 March 1915. She was subsequently interned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard,
Pennsylvania, and then officially taken over when the USA entered the war in 1917.
Photograph copyrighted by Michael Costello

German 10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40
10.5 cm/40 SK L/40 now at Memorial Park in Cambridge, New York

Photograph copyrighted by Michael Costello
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 10.5 cm (4.1") SK L/40
Grazelle, Bremen (1904), Königsberg (1907), Dresden and Tiger
Ship Class Used On
(Iltis) classes

German 10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40

Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
AP - N/A
HE - N/A
AP - 35.3 lbs. (16.0 kg)
HE - 38.4 lbs. (17.4 kg)
AP - N/A
Bursting Charge
HE - N/A
World War I - 7.0 lbs. (3.18 kg) RPC/12
Propellant Charge
World War II - N/A
Early Gazelle class: 100 rounds
Later Gazelle class, Bremen, Königsberg and Dresden:
150 rounds
Tiger: 241 rounds
.
Range
.

German 10.5 cm/40 (4.1") SK L/40

.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mounts
Grazelle (10): MPL C/97
Designation Bremen (10) and Tiger (2): MPL C/00
Königsberg (12) and Dresden (12): MPL
C/04
Weight N/A
MPL C/97: -10 / +10 (?) degrees
Elevation MPL C/00: -10 / +30 degrees
Train 360 degrees
Notes:
1) During World War I many of the older ships were disarmed and their guns then used
for coastal defense. A few ships were rearmed with the more powerful 10.5 cm/45 gun
during and after the war.
2) Hilfskreuzer Prinz Eitel Friedrich carried four of these guns.

.
Data from
---
"Marine Rundschau, 1907," official statement of the RMA (Reichsmarineamt, Dept. W)
---

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35
German
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35
Updated 10 May 2006
This weapon was used on Type VII U-boats and later on some Type 40 minesweepers and submarine chasers. Used a vertically
sliding breech block.
Many U-boats had these guns removed after 1942 and then replaced with 2 cm and 3.7 cm AA guns.
8.8 cm/45 SK C/35 mounted on a U-boat

Photograph courtesy of Peter Lienau
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_88mm-45_skc35.htm (1 of 4)7/20/2006 14:42:44

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35
8.8 cm/45 SK C/35 on U570 following her capture by the British in 1941
.
Images at The Vickers Photographic Archives
See photograph numbers 0199, 0201 and 0202
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Type VII U-boats and smaller vessels
Date Of Design 1935
Gun Weight 1,711 lbs. (776 kg)
German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35

Rifling Length 147 in. (3.731 m)
Lands 0.126 in (3.2 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight 33 lbs. (15 kg)
AP - 22.5 lbs. (10.2 kg)
HE - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
HE inc - 20.9 lbs. (9.5 kg)
ILLUM - 20.7 lbs. (9.4 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length about 14.0 in (385.5 mm)
Propellant Charge 4.63 lbs. (2.1 kg) RPC/40N (3.6/1.07)
HE - 2,297 fps (700 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Others - N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun Type VII: 220 rounds
Notes: Outfits for minesweepers and subchasers included nose-fuzed HE and HE incendiary both with and without tracers, AP and
illuminating shell.
.
Range
German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/35
.
Elevation With 19.84 lbs. (9.0 kg) Shell
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
U-boats (1): Ubts LC/35
Designation
Others: N/A
Weight 5,346 lbs. (2,425 kg)
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Air Power at Sea: 1939-45" by John Winton

German 8.8 cm/76 (3.46") SK C/32
German
8.8 cm/76 (3.46") SK C/32
Updated 09 May 2006
Anti-aircraft weapon used to replace old 8.8 cm Flak 45 guns on the "K" class
light cruisers. Later used on other German light cruisers and apparently
exported to Spain. Although a less powerful gun than the 8.8 cm SK C/31, it had
nearly equivalent performance and a much longer barrel life.
Construction was loose-barrel with a vertical sliding breech-block.
8.8 cm/76 Twin Mount on Nürnberg
Gun Characteristics
.
German: Königsberg, Leipzieg, Nürnberg and "M" Classes
Ship Class Used On
Spain: Navarra
Date Of Design 1932

German 8.8 cm/76 (3.46") SK C/32
Gun Weight 8,025 lbs. (3,640 kg) (including breech mechanism)

Lands 0.137 in (3.47 mm)
Chamber Volume 224.0 in3 (3.67 dm3)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
HE - 33.4 lbs. (15.2 kg)
Weight of Complete Round
ILLUM - N/A
HE - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
ILLUM - 20.7 lbs. (9.4 kg)
Bursting Charge 6.8 lbs. (3.1 kg)
6.46 lbs. (2.93 kg) RPC/38 (4.5/1.5)
Propellant Charge
HE - 3,117 fps (950 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Notes: Outfit for light cruisers consisted of nose-fuzed HE with and without tracer and
illumination rounds.
.
Range

German 8.8 cm/76 (3.46") SK C/32
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Twin Mounts
Designation Königsberg (3), Leipzieg (3), Nürnberg (3): Dop. L. C/32
"M" class (2): Dop. L. C/37
Dop. L. C/32: 52,139 lbs. (23,650 kg)
Weight
Dop. L. C/37: N/A
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

German 8.8 cm/78 (3.46") SK C/31
German
8.8 cm/78 (3.46") SK C/31
Updated 10 May 2006
Used on Panzerschiffes when commissioned, but replaced with 10.5 cm (4.1") SK C/33 before the
start of World War II. This weapon had a very high muzzle velocity and thus a short barrel life.
A loose-barrel type with a vertical sliding breech-block that fired fixed ammunition.
Lützow (ex-Deutschland)
The 8.8 cm guns are amidships alongside the stack
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class
Date Of Design 1931

German 8.8 cm/78 (3.46") SK C/31

Lands 0.154 in (3.9 mm)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
HE - 40.8 lbs. (18.5 kg)
ILLUM - N/A
HE - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
ILLUM - 20.7 lbs. (9.4 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete Round 48.3 in (1.228 m)
Propellant Charge 9.99 lbs. (4.53 kg) RPC/32 (5.5/2)
HE - 3,117 fps (950 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Approximate Barrel Life about 1,500 rounds
Notes: Outfit for Panzerschiffes was nose-fuzed HE with and without tracer and illumination rounds.
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

German 8.8 cm/78 (3.46") SK C/31
Twin Mount:
Designation
Deutschland (3): Dopp LC/31
Weight 60,185 lbs. (27,300 kg)
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/30 and KM41
German
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/30
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") KM41
Updated 09 March 2006
These guns were intended for smaller warships such as submarine-chasers and
Flak corvettes. The KM41 was a lighter version but is not believed to have
actually entered service. Both of these guns were significantly lighter than the
older 8.8 cm (3.46") SK L/45 guns.
The SK C/30 had a barrel and breech end-piece with a half-length loose liner. A
vertical sliding breech block was used. The KM41 used a monobloc barrel with a
muzzle brake and used a horizontal sliding breech block. The gun barrel could
easily be removed from the breech end-piece.
Unless otherwise noted, the data below is for the 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/30.
.
Looking for a picture.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK C/30
Designation
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") KM41
Ship Class Used On Smaller warships of World War II
Date Of Design 1930
SK C/30: 2,712 lbs. (1,230 kg)
Gun Weight
KM41: 2,116 lbs. (960 kg)

Lands 0.126 in (3.2 mm)

.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight N/A
HE, noze fuze - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
HE, incendiary - 20.94 lbs. (9.5 kg)
AP - 22.5 lbs. (10.0 kg)
Illum - N/A
Bursting Charge N/A
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

Single Mountings
For SK C/30
Biaxial MPLC/30
Designation SKC/30U
Ubts Flak LC/41
For KM41
Triaxial turntable mounting Flak LM41
MPLC/30: 5.67 tons (5.76 mt)
Weight
Flak LM41: 4.675 tons (4.750 mt)
Elevation
Flak LM41: -10 / +75 degrees (cross-leveling +/- 15 degrees)
Train N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Note: The SKC/30U and Ubts Flak LC/41 were wet-mounts for U-boats.
.
Data from

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
German
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") Tbts KL/45
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") Flak L/45
Updated 21 May 2006
A series of weapons with similar performance that were used as anti-torpedo boat guns on pre-
dreadnoughts, main guns on torpedo boats and destroyers and later developed into Germany's
first AAA gun. The Flak L/45 replaced some of the 8.8 cm/35 anti-torpedo boat guns used on
German Capital Ships of World War I.
During the 1920s these guns were used as an interim measure on the Panzerschiffe
Deutschland and the light cruisers until the new 8.8 cm/76 SK C/32 gun was available, with
most ships being refitted by 1939.
During the 1930s surviving guns were modified to take the same ammunition as was used in
the 8.8 cm/45 (3.4") SK C/30 and then had the same performance as did that gun.

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
Two 8.8cm/45 SK L/45, probably on light cruiser Königsberg
Sketch of 8.8 cm/45 SK L/45
Gun Characteristics
.
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
Designation 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") Tbts L/45
8.8 cm/45 (3.46") Flak L/45

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
Most Capital Ships, Torpedo Boats and Destroyers of World War I

Ship Class Used On
Emden, Königsberg and Deutschland classes
Date Of Design 1913
Gun Length oa about 157.5 in (4.000 m)
Bore length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight 33 lbs. (15 kg)
World War I
AA - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
HE - 21.5 lbs. (9.75 kg)
HE - 22.05 lbs. (10 kg)
World War II
HE, noze fuze - 19.8 lbs. (9.0 kg)
HE, incendiary - 20.94 lbs. (9.5 kg)
AP - 22.5 lbs. (10.0 kg)
Illum - N/A
Bursting Charge N/A
World War I: 6.6 lbs. (3.00 kg) RPC/12
Propellant Charge World War II: 5.2 lbs. (2.35 kg) RPC/38
World War II: 6.22 lbs. (2.82 kg) RPC/38

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
World War I
Flak L/45: 2,920 fps (890 mps)
Others: 2,133 fps (650 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
World War II
2,590 fps (790 mps)
World War I
Nassau: 150 rounds
Helgoland and Moltke: 200 rounds
Kaiser and Seydlitz: 200-350 rounds
König, von der Tann and Derfflinger: 400 rounds
Bücher (1914): 200 rounds
Torpedo boats: 150 rounds
Destroyers: 120 rounds
World War II
Emden and Königsberg: 400 rounds
Deutschland: N/A
.
Range - World War I

.
.
Range - World War II
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

German 8.8 cm/45 (3.46") SK L/45
Single Mountings
Capital ship anti-torpedo boat mount: MPLC/01-06
Designation
Flak: MPLC/13
Torpedo boats: Tbts LC/13
Weight N/A
MPLC/01-06: -10 / +25 degrees
Elevation MPLC/13: -10 / +70 degrees
Tbts LC/13: -10 / +25 degrees
Train N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
---

German 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
German
8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
8.8 cm/30 (3.46") Ubts L/30
Updated 21 May 2006
A low-powered gun originally developed for coastal and river gunboats at the end
of the 19th century and later used for U-boats during World War I. Interesting in
that the U-boat mounting could be collapsed to allow it to be lowered into the
boat. Some U-boats had this gun replaced by the more-powerful 10.5 cm/45 (4.1")
Utof in 1917 - 1918.
8.8 cm/30 (3.46") Ubts L/30 in lowered position

German 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
Rear view of 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") Ubts L/30 showing the collapsable mounting
Gun Characteristics
.
8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
Designation
8.8 cm/30 (3.46") Ubts L/30

German 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
Gunboats
Iltis and Tsingtau classes
Ship Class Used On
U-boats
As built: UB30-47, UB48, UC16, UC80 classes
As re-armed: UB18, UB21-25
Gun Weight 1,420 lbs. (644 kg) including breech
Bore length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 15 rounds per minute (?)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight 30.4 lbs. (13.8 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE - 22 lbs. (10 kg)
N/A
Projectile Length
Complete round was 26.0 in (66.1 cm)

German 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30
Iltis: 281 rounds

Tsingtau: 100 rounds
UB30-47: 116 rounds
UB48: 160 - 192 rounds
UC16: 100 - 133 rounds
UC80: 230 rounds
.
Range
.
Elevation With 22 lbs. (10.0 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 30 degrees
11,480 yards (10,500 m)
(max of mounting)
Note: At a firing angle of 30 degrees, the projectile reaches a maximum height of 6,400
feet (1,950 m) at a distance of 6,010 yards (5,500 m) from the muzzle.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Iltis (4) and Tsingtau (1): N/A
Designation
U-boats (1): Ubts.L (15?)
Weight Ubts.L: 3,617 lbs. (1,640 kg)
Elevation Ubts.L: -10 / +30 degrees
Train N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Note: The Ubts.L mounting had a 3X left-mounted gunsight with a 12 degree viewing
angle. The recticle was illuminated by a battery.
.
Data from
---

German 8.8 cm/30 (3.46") SK L/30

USA 3"/50 (7.62 cm) Mark 27, Mark 33 and Mark 34

3"/50 (7.62 cm) Marks 27, 33 and 34
Updated 15 May 2006
In 1944-1945, the USN found that their 20 mm Oerlikons and 40 mm Bofors batteries were
ineffective in stopping Japanese Kamikaze attacks. Only the 5"/38 (12.7 cm) fired a round
large enough to kill-stop a determined attacker and this weapon was too heavy to use in the
numbers necessary. This problem led to an accelerated program to develop an intermediate-
caliber weapon that could fire a VT fuzed shell.
The weapon chosen was the standard 3"/50 (7.62 cm) Mark 22 used on many Destroyer
Escorts and auxiliaries built during the latter part of World War II. This was the smallest-
caliber weapon which could still use the VT fuzes available at the time. It also had a
concentric counter-recoil spring, which meant that it was more easily adapted for automatic
fire, which was achieved with an electrically driven auto-loader using revolving sprockets.
Dimensionally, a twin 3"/50 (7.62 cm) mounting was the same size as the quad 40 mm Bofors
mounting, although it weighed a bit more. The additional weight meant that these guns
replaced the Bofors guns on a one for three basis, rather than the originally intended one for
two basis.
Ammunition was loaded from each side into the auto-loader. The sprockets turned
intermittently, transporting the rounds to a loading tray, which swung down to be in line with
the breech where a rammer then catapulted the rounds directly into the firing-chamber, with
the breech-closing mechanism being triggered by the edge of the cartridge case as it tripped
one of the ejectors. Effectively, the auto-loader simply replaced the crewmen whose job it
was to push shells into the breech. Ballistically, the new automatic weapon had the same
characteristics as the older weapon, although the higher rate of fire did result in a shorter
barrel life.
Although completed too late for service during World War II, this weapon was widely used
on many USA ships from the late 1940s through to the 1980s and remains in service today
(2003) on a few USA ships sold to other nations and on the Norwegian Oslo Class frigates.
The Spanish firm of Fabrica de Artilleria, Sociedad Española de Construccion Naval
manufactured these guns under license for the Spanish Navy.
It is possible that these guns on USS Biddle (DLG-34) damaged a Mig fighter in the Tonkin
Gulf on 19 July 1972.
Constructed with an autofretted monobloc barrel with chromium plating and secured at the
breech by a bayonet joint. Uses an automatic breech block.
As per the nomenclature change in the US Navy after World War II, these weapon
designations are for the mountings, not the gun itself. The gun barrel was the Mark 22 first
produced during World War II. Mark 27 was the original twin mount, Mark 33 was an
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improved twin mount with a different slide and Mark 34 was the single mount version.
Munitions are currently (2001) being produced by Simmel Difesa (Italy), Nammo Raufoss
(Norway) and EXPA (Spain).
3"/50 (7.62 cm) Mark 33 at Confederate Air Force Museum, Mesa, AZ

Photograph copyrighted by Vladimir Yakubov
.
.

Gun Characteristics
.
Weapon: 3"/50 (7.62 cm) Mark 22
Designation
Mountings: Marks 27, 33 and 34
Many USN ships 1946 through 1990
Ship Class Used On Spanish Destroyers and Frigates
Norwegian Oslo class frigates
Date Of Design 1945 (gun barrel designed in 1941)
Gun Weight 1,760 lbs. (798 kg) not including auto-loader
Grooves (24) 0.03 in deep (0.76 mm)
Lands N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
AAVT - 24 lbs. (10.9 kg)
Weight of Complete Round HC - 25 lbs. (11.35 kg)
ASP M78 - 24.4 lbs. (11.1 kg)
AAVT - 13 lbs. (5.9 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HC - 13 lbs. (5.9 kg)
ASP M78 - 13 lbs. (5.9 kg)
AAVT - 0.81 lbs. (0.37 kg)
Bursting Charge HC - 1.27 lbs. (0.58 kg)
ASP M78 - 0.77 lbs. (0.35 kg)

HC - 13 in (33 cm)
ASP M79 - 11.9 in (30.2 cm)
Projectile Length Complete round HC - 34.74 in (88.2 cm)
Complete round ASP M79 - 33.6 in (85.3
cm)
3.7 lbs. (1.68 kg)
Propellant Charge
Cartridge - 9 lbs. (4.1 kg)
Typically 200 to 300 in ready use lockers
with another 1,200 rounds in magazines
Notes:
1) The automatic versions of this weapon had about half the barrel life as did the semi-
automatic versions because of the higher ROF.
2) Since neither the mounting installation nor the associated fire control system for these guns
include a provision for fuze-setting, only VT-fuzed projectiles were used for AA fire. Base-
fuzed and point-detonating-fuzed projectiles for surface fire were also available. An AP round
was developed in the 1950s.
3) The ASP M79 is an anti-ship projectile manufactured in Norway by Nammo Raufoss. The
fuze on this projectile is designed to detonate about 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m) after penetration.
.
Range
.
Elevation Using 13 lbs. (5.9 kg) AA Shell
Note: Time of flight to 6,000 yards (5,500 m) was 12 seconds for a +5 degree elevation.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mounting: Mark 34
Designation
Twin Mountings: Mark 27 and Mark 33

Mark 27: 31,435 lbs. (14,259 kg)

Weight Mark 33: 32,400 lbs. (14,696 kg)
Mark 34: 17,000 lbs. (7,711 kg)
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
Notes:
1) Normal crew for the twin 3"/50 (7.62 cm) was eleven men, including a mount captain, two
control station men, four shellmen and four shell passers. For local control an additional sight
setter was required.
2) Some later Mark 33 mountings on smaller ships included an aluminum and fiberglass
weather shield.
.
Data from
"US Naval Weapons" and "The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" both
by Norman Friedman
"Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q.
Cutshaw
---
USS Biddle Website
---
Special help from Kenneth Boe

German 7.5 cm/36 (2.9") SK C/34
German
7.5 cm/36 SK C/34
Used to arm small escort vessels during World War II. Actual overall length was
36.2 calibers.
.
Looking for a picture
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Ship Class Used On Small Warships
Date Of Design 1934
Date In Service 1936 (?)
Gun Weight N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed

German 7.5 cm/36 (2.9") SK C/34
Projectiles and Weight HE - 12.8 lbs. (5.8 kg)

Bursting Charge N/A
.
Range
.
Range N/A
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single mounts
Designation
Ein LC/34
Weight N/A
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

German 6 cm/21 (2.4") KL/21
German
6 cm/21 (2.4") Casemate Gun C/98
6 cm/21 (2.4") S-Bts KL/21
6 cm/21 (2.4") Bts KL/21
Updated 09 May 2006
Originally developed as a small anti-torpedo boat gun. During World War I

mounted on some landing craft and also used as a landing gun. Used during
World War II on some small coastal defense boats and submarine chasers.
6 cm (2.4") Landing Gun now at the German Naval Memorial at Laboe

Photograph copyrighted by Peter Lienau
Gun Characteristics
.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_6cm-21_skc00.htm (1 of 3)7/20/2006 14:42:53

German 6 cm/21 (2.4") KL/21
6 cm/21 (2.4") Casemate Gun C/98

Designation 6 cm/21 (2.4") S-Bts KL/21
6 cm/21 (2.4") Bts KL/21
Ship Class Used On Boat Gun
Date Of Design 1898
Gun Weight N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Separate
HE - 6.0 lbs. (2.71 kg)
Projectiles and Weight
Shrapnel - 5.2 lbs. (2.38 kg)
Bursting Charge HE - 0.32 lbs. (0.144 kg)
Projectile Length HE - 7.5 in (19 cm)
Propellant Charge 0.25 lbs. (0.115 kg) W.P. 07
1.74 lbs. (0.79 kg)
Cartridge
60 mm x 64 mm R
HE - 1,434 fps (437 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Shrapnel - 1,470 fps (448 mps)

German 6 cm/21 (2.4") KL/21

.
Range
.
Range Maximum 3,720 yards (3,400 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Single mounts
Weight N/A
Elevation N/A
Train N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Munitionslexikon Band2" by Karl R. Pawlas
"Waffenlehre" by Richard Berlin Wille
---
Special help from H. Zertner and Peter Lienau

German 5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58
German
5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58
Gas-operated, air-cooled automatic gun developed for both land and naval use.
Only two prototypes were completed before the end of World War II. Interesting
in that no alloy steels were to be used in its construction, a reflection of the
growing shortages in Germany as World War II neared its end.
Used a five-round ammunition clip and the gun fired with the breech locked as it
moved forward from recoil.
One of the two completed prototypes

Picture copyrighted by M.J. Whitley
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 5.5 cm/77 (2.165") Gerät 58
Ship Class Used On Planed for the Type 1942C destroyers
Date Of Design 1944
Date In Service N/A (prototypes, only)
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German 5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58
Gun Weight 1,430 lbs. (650 kg)

Gun Length oa 236 in. (6.000 m)
Barrel Length 166 in (4.220 m)
Rifling Length 148 in. (3.750 m)
Lands 0.169 in (4.3 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 90 to 1 in 25.6
Chamber Volume N/A
120 - 150 rounds per minute cyclic
Rate Of Fire
Could also be fired in single-shot mode
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Projectile Types and Weights AA - 4.4 lbs. (2.0 kg)
Projectile Length N/A - Complete Round 26.2 in (665 mm)
Propellant Charge 2.4 lbs. (1.1 kg) (Probably RPC/40N)
.
Range
.
Range @ 45 degrees about 4,370 yards (4,000 m) effective
AA Ceiling @ 80 degrees about 6,900 feet (2,500 m) effective

German 5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58
Note:
Time of flight with MV = 3,350 fps (1,020 mps)

1,090 yards (1,000 m): 1.10 seconds
2,190 yards (2,000 m): 2.50 seconds
3,280 yards (3,000 m): 4.34 seconds
4,370 yards (4,000 m): 6.75 seconds
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation Single Mounts
Weight N/A
Elevation about -10 / 90 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Notes: Various types of mountings were under investigation, including triaxial and
quadaxial designs as well as an Army biaxial mounting.
.
Data from

German 5 cm/40 (1.97") SK L/40 and Tbts KL/40
German
5 cm/40 (1.97") SK L/40
5 cm/40 (1.97") Tbts KL/40
Updated 17 December 2004
Developed for torpedo boats of the 1890s. Used on a few submarines built during World
War I. Still in use during World War II on minor warships and auxiliaries.
5 cm/40 Tbts KL/40


5 cm gun on U-boat disappearing mount
Gun Characteristics
.
5 cm/40 (1.97") SK L/40
Designation
5 cm/40 (1.97") Tbts KL/40
Cruisers: Gefion and Hela classes
Ship Class Used On Torpedo Boats: S7, S66, S82, A1, D1, D7, D9, D10 and S90 classes
U-boats: UB18 class


Gun Weight N/A
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore length about 78.7 in (2.000 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 10 rounds per minute (?)
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Bursting Charge N/A
Gefion and Hela: 250 rounds
S7, S66 and S82: 156 rounds
A1: 120 rounds
D1, D7 and D10: 165 rounds
S90: 84 rounds
UB18: 200 rounds
.
Range
.


.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mountings
Gefion (6) and Hela (6): N/A
Designation S7 (1), S66 (1), S82 (1) D1 (3), D7 (3), D9 (3), D10 (5), and S90 (3): Tbts
C/93 (?)
A1 (1): Tbts C/14
UB18 (1): Tbts C/14 (?)

Weight N/A
Elevation -5 / +30 degrees (?)
Train N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

Sweden, British, USA, German and Japanese Bofors 40 mm/56 (1.57") Model 1936
Sweden
Bofors 40 mm/60 (1.57") Model 1936
--
40 mm/56 (1.57") Mark 1, Mark 2 and M1
--
British
40 mm/56.3 (1.57") QF Marks I, III, IV, VIII, IX, X, XI, NI and NI/I
--
German
4 cm/56 (1.57") Flak 28
--
Japanese
4 cm/60 (1.57") Type 5
Updated 03 May 2006
Probably the best heavy MG AA weapon of World War II, Bofors guns of this type are still in service even
today. This weapon was used on almost every major US and UK warship of World War II and was a very
potent AA gun. The Germans used Norwegian-produced Bofors guns which they designated as the 4
cm/56 Flak 28 and the Japanese copied a British Army air-cooled Bofors captured at Singapore to
produce their 4 cm/60 Type 5.
This weapon traces its roots back to a 1918 Krupp design - the Bofors Company was partly owned by
German interests until 1930 - but the finished product was entirely a Bofors design owing little or nothing
to the Krupp version. What became the 40 mm Bofors was first prototyped in 1933 but it was the Model
1936 which was adopted for production.
The British Army first showed interest in these guns in 1933 and placed an order for 100 of these
weapons in 1937. First Royal Navy shipboard use of air-cooled guns was in late 1941 aboard the
battleships Prince of Wales and Nelson and on the cruisers Manchester and Erebus, although some ships
had earlier been temporarily armed with Army air-cooled guns that had been "rescued" during the
evacuation of the Norway invasion forces in 1940. The British water-cooled version was developed from
the Dutch Hazemeyer mounting which had arrived in Britain in 1940 aboard the Dutch minelayer Willem
van der Zaan. The first issue of locally produced water-cooled Bofors guns was to the Black Swan class
sloop HMS Whimbrel in November 1942.
The total number of air-cooled guns built by Australia, Britain and Canada is not accurately known but
was somewhere between 2,100 and 2,800 plus about 200 to 400 guns supplied from the United States.
Water-cooled guns are better documented with 442 Mark IV and 342 Mark XI in service at the end of the
war plus 786 water-cooled guns supplied by the USA. These USA weapons had been sent to Britain as a
part of Lend-Lease or else were installed on ships refitted in USA shipyards.
The US Army was also interested in this weapon and tested a single air-cooled model in 1937. In 1940 the
Chrysler Corporation agreed to begin manufacturing air-cooled guns utilizing British blueprints. The USN
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acquired many of these during the war, although the quantity used was far less than that of the water-
cooled guns.
The USN had a good deal of pre-war interest in this weapon and BuOrd purchased a sample of the air-
cooled twin version from Bofors in early 1940. This arrived in New York from Sweden on 28 August 1940.
During the same month, the Dutch escort vessel van Kinsbergen demonstrated these weapons to US
observers in a test off Trinidad. BuOrd formally obtained Swedish licenses in June 1941, although some
manufacturing actually started prior to that time.
While the basic twin gun design and mechanisms were obtained from the Swedish Bofors company, the
USN Bofors gun and its associated equipment was a very different end product. First, all but the earliest
US guns were built to English measurement units rather than metric. Secondly, the Swedish guns
required a great deal of hand work in order to make the finished weapon. For example, Swedish
blueprints had many notes on them such as "file to fit at assembly" and "drill to fit at assembly" which
made their design unsuitable for the mass production techniques required to equip the US Navy. Worse
still, the specifications on the drawings often did not match the actual measurements taken from the
weapons. Thirdly, all Swedish mountings were manually worked, while the USN required power-worked
mountings.
US companies made radical changes to the Swedish design in order to minimize these problems and as a
result the guns and mountings produced in the USA bore little resemblance their Swedish ancestors. To
give one example of the design differences made for US produced weapons, the Chrysler Corporation
redesigned ten components to suit mass production techniques and this was claimed to have saved
7,500,000 pounds (340,200 kg) of material and 1,896,750 man hours in a year's production as well as
freeing up 30 machine tools for the production of other components.
Finally, the USN rejected the Swedish ammunition design, as it was not boresafe, the fuze was found to
be too sensitive for normal shipboard use and its overall design was determined to be unsuitable for
mass production. As a temporary expedient, the fuze designed and produced in Britain was adopted, but
this was almost immediately replaced by one designed by R.L. Graumann of the Naval Ordnance
Laboratory. This fuze was simple in design and "ideally suited to mass production." This new fuze,
designated as the Mark 27, was found to be 99.9 percent efficient in ballistic acceptance tests, a record
not equaled by any other fuze of the time. Both the US Army and the British adopted this fuze for their
own production lines.
One firm rule adopted early in the redesign process was that any new Allied munition for these weapons
would be completely interchangeable with existing designs. This allowed ammunition produced by any
American or British ordnance manufacturer to be used at any location in the world, thus greatly
simplifying the logistics problems.
The first USN pilot twin was produced in January 1942 and the first quad in April 1942. The first
shipboard quad installation was on the gunnery-training ship (ex-battleship) USS Wyoming (AG-17) on 22
June 1942, and the first twin installation was on the destroyer USS Coghlan (DD-606) on 1 July 1942. The
USA started a massive production program for these weapons, with a total of about 39,200 being built by
the end of the war. Even so, the demand was not fully met until well into 1944. By that time, the pre-war
1.1" gun had been almost totally replaced by the Bofors and by the 20 mm Oerlikon guns. The Gridley
class (DD-380) destroyers were the only first-line destroyers in the USN not to receive Bofors. Late in
World War II, the 40 mm guns started to replace the 20 mm Oerlikon, as the smaller weapon was found to
be ineffective against Japanese Kamikazes. However, even the Bofors was determined to be inadequate
against suicide attacks, so as a result Bofors guns were replaced during the late 1940s and 1950s with
the new rapid fire 3"/50 (7.62 cm) designs.

All early versions of this weapon used friction-coupled drives, which rapidly wore out on naval ships due
to salt contamination. Later versions built in the USA used hydraulic-coupled drives which eliminated the
problem. Most guns used four-round clips which could be continuously loaded into the ammunition feed
guides.
The development of the Mark 51 director system gave the USA weapons greatly improved accuracy. For
example, half of all Japanese aircraft shot down between 1 October 1944 and 1 February 1945 were
credited to the Bofors/Mark 51 combination. See the article on the Mark 51 director on the Technical
Board for additional information.
The USN Mark 1 Bofors gun was a left-hand weapon while the Mark 2 Bofors gun was a right-hand
weapon. Except for the barrel assemblies, the components were not interchangeable. Mark 1 and Mark 2
were both water-cooled guns and were used for all twin and quad mountings. These weapons could be
fired in single-shot or automatic mode via a selector switch on the side of the slide.
The M1 was an air-cooled version originally produced for the US Army. The barrel assemblies for the M1
were interchangeable with those of British and Canadian produced air-cooled weapons. All USN single
mountings used a modified version of the M1.
These guns are recoil operated and use a monobloc barrel with a detachable breech ring, breech casing
and automatic loader. Although often listed as being 60 calibers long, all of these guns except for the
Japanese version were actually 56.25 calibers in length.
Unless otherwise noted, the data that follows is for the USN Mark 1 and Mark 2 versions as used during
World War II, but the weapons built by other nations had similar characteristics. Additional information
for other nations may be found in the "Mount / Turret Data" section at the bottom of this page.

USA 40 mm/56 Quad Mount on USS Hornet CV-12 in 1945

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # 80-G-413915
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Sweden: Bofors 40 mm/60 (1.57") Model 1936
Germany: 4 cm/56 (1.57") Flak 28
Japan: 4 cm/60 (1.57") Type 5 (Model 1945)
Designation
UK: 40 mm/56.3 (1.57") QF Marks I, III, IV, VIII, IX,
X, XI, NI and NI/I
USA: 40 mm/56 (1.57") Mark 1, Mark 2 and M1

Almost all major US and British warships of World

Ship Class Used On War II
German Cruisers and S-Boats
Sweden: 1936
German: N/A
Date Of Design Japan: 1943
UK: 1941
USA: 1941
Sweden: N/A
Germany: 1944
Date In Service Japan: Not in service
UK: 1941
USA: 1942
German: N/A
Japan: 1,018 lbs. (462 kg) [air-cooled]
Gun Weight UK: 1,120 to 1,163 lbs. (508 to 528 kg) [depending
upon Mark] [water-cooled]
USA: about 1,150 lbs. (522 kg) [water-cooled]
German: N/A
Japan: N/A
Gun Length oa UK: 145.3 to 145.5 in (3.691 to 3.696 m)
[depending upon Mark]
USA: 148.8 in (3.780 m)
German: N/A
Bore Length Japan: 94.5 in (2.400 m)
(see Note 8) UK: 88.578 in (2.250 m)
USA: 88.6 in (2.250 m)
German: 76.06 in (1.932 m)
Japan: 78.8 in (2.000 m)
Rifling Length
UK: 75.85 in (1.927 m)
USA: 75.85 in (1.927 m)
German: N/A
Japan: (16) 0.0098 in deep (0.25 mm)
Grooves
UK: (16) 0.236 in deep x 0.220 (0.60 x 5.59 mm)
USA: (16) 0.0236 in deep x 0.220 (0.60 x 5.59 mm)
German: N/A
Japan: N/A
Lands
UK: 0.0892 in (2.66 mm)
USA: 0.0892 in (2.66 mm)
German: N/A
Japan: Uniform RH 1 in 30
Twist
UK: Increasing RH 1 in 45 to 1 in 30
USA: Increasing RH 1 in 45 to 1 in 30
UK: 28.661 in3 (0.470 dm3)
Chamber Volume
USA: 28.3 in3 (0.464 dm3)

120 rounds per minute per barrel nominal

Rate Of Fire
140 to 160 rounds per minute when horizontal
(see Notes)
(gravity assist)
Notes:
1) The practical rate of fire for clip-fed water-cooled guns is essentially the same as the cyclic rate, as the
clips allow for a continuous ammunition feed and the recirculating water jackets keep the barrels from over-
heating.
2) A modification kit was produced around 1970 which increased the rate of fire to 180 rounds per minute
and the magazine capacity to 20 rounds by using a banana feeder fed by standard four-round clips.
3) Mark 1 fed from the left while the Mark 2 guns fed from the right. Manually loaded M1 guns fed from the
left.
4) The standard automatic loader holds two four-round clips. When the first four-round clip is inserted into
the feeder, the clip itself is stripped off and falls out onto the deck (the clip chute is a cut out just below the
loader; left side for a left gun and right side for a right gun). The second clip is then dropped into the loader
and pushed down so that it forces a round through the loader star wheels and onto the rammer tray. This
first round only had to be manually pushed through when the gun was initially loaded, the loader will
automatically feed rounds from new clips. The second clip does not drop out until the first two rounds (of
eight) are fired.
5) The gun loader feed guides normally held eight rounds (two clips), although ten rounds could be loaded
with two loose rounds between clips. Mark 1 and Mark 2 guns had a loader interlock which automatically
halted firing when there were only two rounds remaining in the loader, one on the rammer tray and one in
the star wheels. This allows firing to be quickly resumed when a new clip is dropped into the loader. Unlike
the Mark 1 and Mark 2 guns, the M1 guns had a switch on the back of the loader at the center, bottom rear.
This switch disabled the interlock so that the M1 could fire all eight rounds in the feed clips or it could be set
to stop the gun when only two rounds were remaining, similar to the Mark 1 and Mark 2. If all eight rounds
were fired, then the first loader would have to start from the beginning to drop in two clips and then push on
the top so that the bottom round would rotate through the loader star wheels and drop onto the rammer
tray. The gun would then resume firing when the pointer pushed his foot pedal.
6) It was up to the second loader to properly orientate each clip when he handed it to the first loader so that
all the first loader had to do was drop it into the loader. Since the Bofors gun cycled at 120 to 160 rounds
per minute (one clip every 1.5 to 2 seconds), the first loader had to do a quick "pick up, turn, and drop"
action in order to keep up with it. If the clip was not orientated properly during the hand-over, then the first
loader would have to juggle it in order to position it properly before it could be dropped into the loader.
Being too slow would interrupt the firing cycle - hence the reason for the loader interlock. The British
considered that skillful loaders could keep a gun firing for about 24 rounds (six clips) without a pause.
7) Perhaps unusually for US guns, the bores of these weapons were not chromium plated.
8) In "US Naval Technical Mission to Japan report O-47(N)-2" it is stated that the Japanese in copying a
captured British air-cooled gun 'increase[d the] barrel length from 2160 mm (85.1") to 2400 mm (94.57")'.
This dimension is usually taken as being the overall barrel length in most references (see for example
"Naval Weapons of World War Two"). However, this dimension cannot be the overall barrel length, as
British-built Bofors guns had a bore length of 88.578 in (2.250 m) - 56.3 calibers, while their overall length
was about 145.3 in (3.691m). As the rifling length given in O-47(N)-2 for the Type 5 is significantly longer
than that for the British Bofors, I believe that the dimensions given in O-47(N)-2 for barrel lengths must

actually be for the bore lengths and use this assumption in constructing this data page.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Bofors
AB 40 mm L/60 HE-T - 2.05 lbs. (0.93 kg)
USA
HE Mark 1 - 1.985 lbs. (0.900 kg)
HE Mark 2 - 1.985 lbs. (0.900 kg)
AP M81A2 - 1.960 lbs. (0.889 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights UK

HE - 1.970 lbs. (0.894 kg)
SAP - N/A
Germany
HE - 2.105 lbs. (0.955 kg)
Japan
HE - 2.21 lbs. (1.002 kg)
Bofors - 4.63 lbs. (2.1 kg)
UK - 4.88 lbs. (2.21 kg)
USA - 4.75 lbs. (2.15 kg)
Others - N/A
Bofors (modern day)
0.20 lbs. (0.092 kg) Hexotonal
USA (World War II)

HE Mark 1 - 0.148 lbs. (0.067 kg) TNT
Bursting Charge
HE Mark 2 - 0.150 lbs. (0.068 kg) TNT
AP - None (Solid Bullet)
Others
N/A
USA HE Mark 1 and Mark 2 - 7.25 in (18.4 cm)
Projectile Length
Others - N/A
Bofors - 17.60 in (44.7 cm)
UK - 17.75 in (45.1 cm)
Complete Round Length
USA - 17.62 in (44.75 cm)
Others - N/A
USA - 0.694 lbs. (0.314 kg) NC 025
UK - 0.719 lbs. (0.326 kg) FNH/PO22
Propellant Charge
Germany - 0.668 lbs. (0.303 kg) Str PC/38N
Japan - 0.617 to 0.661 lbs. (0.280 to 0.300 kg)

USA Marks 1 and 2: 2,890 fps (881 mps)
Muzzle Velocity UK Mark NI: 2,720 fps (829 mps)
(see Note 4) Germany Flak 28: 2,801 fps (854 mps)
Japanese Type 5: 2,953 fps (900 mps)
Japan - 16.50 tons/in2 (2,600 kg/cm2)
Working Pressure UK - 19.68 tons/in2 (3,100 kg/cm2)
(see Note 4) USA - 19.5 tons/in2 (3,070 kg/cm2)
Others - N/A
USA - 9,500 Rounds
UK - 10,000 Rounds
Germany - 10,000 Rounds
Japan - N/A
German
Hipper and Prinz Eugen: 2,000 rounds
German S-Boats: 500 rounds
UK
HMS Vanguard: 1,269 rounds (including 34
practice)
USA
Most ships: 2,000 rounds
Others: N/A
Notes:
1) Ammunition for most guns is held in four-round clips. The feed guides atop each gun can hold two clips
at a time. Two loose rounds can be inserted between clips. A four-round clip weighs about 19.0 lbs. (8.6
kg).
2) USN tracer burned out at 5,000 yards (4,570 m) horizontal, 15,000 feet (2,740 m) vertical.
3) Modern ammunition: Bofors introduced a 40 mm PFHE proximity round during the 1980s similar to those
developed for their larger guns. Bofors claims a maximum effective bursting radius of 18 feet (5.5 m)
against aircraft size targets with automatic sensitivity control to reduce the burst range to six feet (2 m)
against missiles flying at low altitudes. Muzzle velocity is 2,820 fps (860 mps) and the total shell weight is
2.16 lbs. (0.98 kg) including 3.2 oz (90 gms) of octol explosive. Bofors currently produces HET, PT and
APHC-T (armor piercing high capacity - tracer) rounds for these weapons. The APHC-T round is unusual in
that it carries an armor-piercing slug within an aluminum body. Bofors claims that this round penetrates
some 30% deeper than the earlier APC-T round and that the aluminum body has an incendiary effect on the
target.
4) In "US Naval Technical Mission to Japan report O-47(N)-2" it is stated that the muzzle velocity was 2,822
fps (860 mps) before the barrel was lengthened and the propellant charge increased. However, I must
question if the working pressure given in this document - 16.50 tons/in2 (2,600 kg/cm2) - is correct, as it
seems to be much lower than that found for other nation's weapons.
.

Range - USA
.
With 1.985 lbs. (0.900 kg) With 1.960 lbs. (0.889 kg)
Elevation
HE Mark 2 Shell AP M81A1 Shell
Range @ 10 degrees 6,844 yards (6,258 m) 6,466 yards (5,913 m)
Range @ 45 degrees 11,133 yards (10,180 m) 9,492 yards (9.679 m)
AA Ceiling 22,299 feet (6,797 m) ---
Notes:
1) USA produced HE-SD ammunition was set to detonate at 4,000 - 5,000 yards (3,700 - 4,570 m) so as to
minimize problems due to "friendly fire." HE and AP rounds that did not self-destruct were also
manufactured.
2) Time of flight for 1.985 lbs. (0.900 kg) HE shell with MV = 2,890 fps (881 mps)
4,200 yards (3,840 m): 8.5 seconds
4,500 yards (4,110 m): 10.5 seconds
.
Range - UK
.
Elevation With 1.97 lbs. (0.894 kg) HE Shell with no self-
Muzzle velocity of 2,800 fps (853 mps) destruct
Note: British rounds normally self-destructed at 3,000 - 3,500 yards (2,700 - 3,200 m) but this could be
increased to 7,000 yards (6,400 m) in some ammunition types.
.
Range - Germany
.
Elevation
With 2.105 lbs. (0.955 kg) HE Shell
Muzzle velocity of 2,800 fps (853 mps)
Range @ 45 degrees about 10,500 yards (9,600 m)
.
Range - Japan

.
Elevation
With 2.21 lbs. (1.005 kg) HE Shell
Muzzle velocity of 2,953 fps (900 mps)
Maximum effective range
3,280 yards (3,000 m)
(see Note)
Note: The USN attributed this low effective range to "poor fuze design." It is unclear as to how the fuze
design affected the effective range, but I would assume that this meant that the fuze was of poor
aerodynamic shape. Self-destructing ammunition was not used.
.
Armor Penetration with 1.960 lbs. (0.889 kg) AP Shell

Estimated for "Class B" Homogeneous Armor
.
Range "Class B" Armor
0 yards (0 m) 2.70" (69 mm)
2,000 yards (1,829 m) 1.20" (30 mm)
4,000 yards (3,658 m) 0.60" (15 mm)
6,000 yards (5,486 m) 0.45" (11 mm)
Note: This data is from "Battleships: United States Battleships 1935-1992" and is based upon the USN
Empirical Armor Penetration formula.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
USA-Built Mountings
Designation Mark 1 Twin Mark 2 Quad Mark 3 Single Mark 4 Quad
22,795 -24,553
Weight 9,800-13,000 lbs. 23,200-23,800 lbs. 2,440-4,200 lbs.
lbs.
(no shield) (4445-5897 kg) (10,524-10,796 kg) (1,107-1,905 kg)
(10,340-11,137 kg)
Elevation -15 / +90 degrees -15 / +90 degrees -6 / +90 degrees -15 / +90 degrees
24 degrees / 24 degrees / 55 degrees /
Elevation Rate See Note 1
second second second
Train 360 degrees 360 degrees 360 degrees 360 degrees
26 degrees / 26 degrees / 50 degrees /
Train Rate See Note 1
second second second
Recoil 8 - 9 in (20 - 22 cm)

Notes on USA-built Weapons
1) Mark 3 single mounts used air-cooled guns, which were modified versions of the US Army M1 Bofors
gun. Four versions of the Mark 3 were used on surface ships, the Mod 0, Mod 4 and Mod 9, while
submarines used the "wet mount" Mod 5 and Mod 6. Mod 0 was the basic Army mount and weighed 2,440
lbs. (1,107 kg). The Mod 0 lacked power drives and so was manually trained and elevated. Crew for the
Mod 0 was usually five to six men. Mod 4 added 1 hp power drives for training and elevation and had the
same crew size as the Mod 0. Submarine Mods 5 and 6 were manually worked mountings. Most single
mount shipboard installations had safety rails around them to keep the gun crews from accidentally firing
into the ship. The Mark 3 Mod 9 used rebuilt M1 guns and was designed for use on river and coastal patrol
craft and for one man operation - crew was actually a pointer-trainer and a mount captain. This mount used
integral train and elevation power drives and was stabilized. Weight increased to 4,200 lbs. (1,905 kg).
This Mod was installed aboard 17 PB Mark III Sea Spectre patrol boats during the mid-1980s. Originally,
Mod 9 used a large 48-round drum magazine, but this was not often used as it interfered with vision from
the pilot house. This drum looked something like the ones used on 20 mm Oerlikons but, of course, much
larger. During the 1980s "Tanker War" in the Persian Gulf, it was also reported that the drum did not feed
reliably, so it was removed and the crews went back to manual loading.
2) All USN twin and quad mountings used water-cooled Mark 1 and Mark 2 Bofors guns. Any mod of the
Mark 1 or Mark 2 Bofors guns could be used in any mod of USN twin or quad mountings; these USN guns
were designed to be completely interchangeable in that regards. Twin mounts consisted of a left-hand gun
(Mark 1) and a right-hand gun (Mark 2) joined together. The gun axes were 9.568 in (24.3 cm) apart.
Elevation and training motors were 3 or 5 hp.
3) Quad mounts were basically two twin mounts joined together, with each pair having a left-hand gun
(Mark 1) and a right-hand gun (Mark 2). The gun pairs axes were 60.0 in (1.524 m) apart. Elevation motors
were 5 hp and training motors were 5 or 7.5 hp. As noted above, hydraulic drive gear was used on most
units. Although both pairs of guns elevated together, in some Mods the pairs could be uncoupled in case of
damage.
4) There were many Mod numbers assigned to the twin and quad mountings, with most having to do with
details of the power drives. An asterisk (*) indicated that the mount included a radar antenna and was used
with the Mark 63 director.
5) The Mark 4 quad mount was a low-weight version that used a lighter amplidyne generator mounted
below deck and a GE RPC system. This mounting had much faster training and elevation speeds than
earlier mounts, but only 100 had been delivered by the end of the war.
6) US ships carried large quantities of this weapon with USS Saratoga CV-3 probably having the most at
100 guns in 25 quad mounts. Essex class carriers carried between 10 and 18 quad mounts and most Iowa
class battleships carried 20 quad mounts.

Notes on British-built Weapons
1) Serious British interest in this weapon was first shown by the Army in 1933 and was followed by an order
for 100 guns in 1937. Later, a manufacturing license was purchased from Bofors. The British version is
officially listed as 56.3 calibers long. In spite of the different Mark numbers, all Bofors guns used by the
Royal Navy were basically similar. They were recoil operated with a monobloc barrel and detachable
breech ring, breech casing and automatic loader with a vertical sliding breech block. The air-cooled Marks
I, I* and III differed in details of the automatic loader. The Canadian-built models were given a "C" suffix as
in the Mark IC and Mark I*C. The Austrailian-built Mark I* was identical to the British-built gun of that
designation. The water-cooled Marks IV, VIII, IX, X, XI and post-war NI and NI/I all had water jackets with
circulating pumps and differed only in regards to the mounting they were to be used on. Single shots could
be fired in all but the Mark VIII, IX, X and probably the NI and NI/I guns. Unlike USN practice, the left and
right versions of these weapons were not given separate Mark numbers. Instead, they were given letter
suffixes, the specifics of which I lack at this time, although it appears that the Mark IV was Type D for the
left gun and Type E for the right gun. This large number of variations of British Bofors guns compared to
the three produced for the USN would seem to show once again the lack of interest by the Royal Navy in
weapon standardization during the World War II period. The British considered the Bofors to be at least
twice as effective as their own 2-pdr against torpedo bombers, but not much better than that weapon
against kamikazes.
2) The USA provided 393 each of their Mark 1 (left hand) and Mark 2 (right hand) guns. These were used
in British RP Mark I (Twin) and RP Mark II (Quad) mountings. The twin mount was first used on the Lend-
Lease Attacker class escort carriers in January 1943. The quad mount was first installed on HMS Phoebe
in June 1943. The US also supplied air-cooled guns which were used mainly on LSTs.
3) The Mark III series of hand-operated single mountings were the Army design adapted for Naval use and
were widely used, with some 500 in service by the end of World War II. Usually designated as LS Mark III
(Land Service). The following mountings do not appear to have entered naval service, although they do
appear on naval gun lists: Mark III* (hand operated with gyro sights for layer and trainer), RPLS Mark III
(Remote Power Land Service) and Toadstool (joystick controlled power operation using Army
components). Elevation limits for the Mark III were -5 to +90 degrees. As of June 1942, 314 Mark III
mountings were in service, of which 301 were on DEMS. By May 1945, there were about 1,392 in service
with 568 on DEMS. Those Army mountings modified at least somewhat for naval service were designated
as Mark III CN and there were 500 of these in service at the end of the war, with 291 on DEMS. Mounting
weight for the LS Mark III including the gun was 1.2 tons (1.22 mt).
4) The Mark IV twin mounting was derived from the Hazemeyer triaxial mounting which had its origins in the
1940 arrival in Britain of the Dutch minelayer Willem van der Zaan. The Mark IV was a self-contained twin
mounting that had its own rangefinder, radar and analog computer on the mount. This mounting used Mark
IV water-cooled guns. This mounting utilized a track and pinion system for elevating and training and was
powered via a Ward-Leonard system for automatic target tracking. The Mark IV was probably too advanced
for its day and proved to be somewhat delicate for use on destroyers and sloops. The later STAAG and
Buster designs were more robust, but very much heavier. According to service notes, the Mark IV was
apparently used more often in manual mode than in power mode. Elevation was -10 to +90 degrees with
cross-level of +/- 14 degrees with control cutting out at +/- 12 degrees. Maximum elevating speed was 25
degrees per second, but training and elevation control was limited to little more than 10 degrees per
second. Weight was 7.05 tons (7.16 mt). The later Mark IV* differed in details of the controls and gyros.
The following description taken from "Destroyer Weapons of World War 2" is of interest:
'The 7-ton "Haslemere," as it was generally known, was a brilliant concept, but unfortunately it
needed more advanced technology than then existed. It cannot claim to have been the most
popular of weapons but at least it provided a little light relief on occasions. When stationary in

the "power-off" mode during maintenance, a combination of training, depression and cross-roll
made it look for all the world as though it was about to fall off its gundeck. Observations like "I
see the Haslemere is ill again" were common.'
5) The design of the Mark V twin was based upon the USN Mark 1 twin mounting adapted to use British
components. This mount used the Mark XI gun and was first introduced on the Hunt class HMS Meynell on
3 February 1945. The mounting was power operated with elevation limits of -15 to +90 degrees and
weighed 6.4 tons (6.5 mt) with 12 four-round clips carried on mount. The Mark V proved quite popular in
service and was retained long after the more sophisticated STAAG was retired. Its largest drawback was
the lack of a blind fire capability. The RP50 Mark V had a maximum training speed of 35 degrees per
second and elevating speed of 28 degrees per second. The RP50 Mark VC (Canadian) had a maximum
elevation speed of 35 degrees per second.
6) The Mark VI was a sextuple mount using the Mark IX gun and used a 36-round ammunition tray for each
gun rather than the usual four-round clips. Training and elevating speeds of the RP50 Mark VI were both
30 degrees per second. Weight was 21.24 tons (21.58 mt). This mount did not enter service until after the
war.
7) The Mark VII was an adapted Army single mount with a weight of 1.40 tons (1.42 mt). Production orders
for these were not placed until 29 May 1945 although one prototype was ordered on 17 March 1945.
8) The Mark VIII was an unsuccessful design using battery power and did not enter service.
9) The Mark IX was an upgraded Mark VII mount with electric drive. The Mark IX mount used the Mark NI
gun and had six ready-use clips on mount. Mark IX was used successfully during the Falklands War and
stimulated renewed interest in automatic weapons in the Royal Navy, eventually leading to the purchase of
newer 20 mm and 30 mm weapons.
10) The Boffin mounting was a twin 20 mm Oerlikon Mark V or Mark VC mounting modified to take a single
Bofors 40 mm gun. Elevation was -10 to about +70 degrees. These used an oil hydraulic system and were
fitted with a gyro gunsight. Some of these were still being used by the Canadian Navy in 1990 during the
Persian Gulf war.
11) The post-war STAAG Mark II twin mounting (later designated as Mark 2) using the type 262 radar was
very accurate, but also very unreliable. Part of this unreliability appears to have derived from the decision to
mount the radar directly to the gun mount, thus exposing it to a high level of vibration. At 17.5 tons (17.8
mt), it was also quite heavy for only a twin weapon. Used the Mark X gun. The hydraulically powered Mark
II was called a "pseudo-triaxial" mounting and was unusual in that the third axis was a lateral deflection
movement instead of being cross-roll. Training and elevating speeds were both 35 degrees per second.
STAAG was found to be overly complicated and difficult to maintain and did not enjoy a long service life as
a result.
12) The Buster twin was another World War II attempt at a self-contained mounting, but at approximately 20
tons (20.3 mt) this weighed far too much for only a twin arrangement and the project was cancelled. Used
the Mark VIII gun.
Notes on Australian Weapons
Australia uses the British Mark VII mounting fitted with a locally designed upgrade package on Fremantle
patrol boats. Elevation is -5 / +90 degrees and train is 360 degrees. Training speed of 20 degrees per
second and elevation speed of 40 degrees per second.

Notes on South Korean Weapons
South Korea has developed a modification kit for the USA Mark 1 twin mount which adds a stabilization
system both to the gun mount and to the Mark 51 FCS. This kit improves their effectiveness against
surface targets. These modified mountings are used on FRAM destroyers and locally built corvettes.
Notes on Netherlands Hazemeyer Mounting
Hazemeyer was a Dutch subsidiary of Siemens Halske. Prior to World War II, this firm developed a very
advanced triaxial mounting together with a tachymetric control system. As noted above, upon the Dutch
defeat in 1940, this mounting was brought to Britain where it was immediately copied and introduced into
production.
Notes on German Weapons
These were manufactured at the Norwegian Kongsberg Arsenal. The Arsenal started license production of
this weapon for the Royal Norwegian Navy in the 1930s and was kept in limited production throughout the
war. Introduced into German naval service about late 1943 and was used to arm the cruisers Prinz Eugen
and Admiral Hipper as well as some Schnellbootes. As far as is known, only single mountings were ever
used on warships and only HE tracer was issued.
Notes on Japanese Weapons
The Type 5 (Model 1945) originated from the capture of a British Bofors air-cooled gun in a single hand-
worked mounting at Singapore in 1942. A Japanese copy underwent prototype firing trials in 1943 at the
Torigasaki range of the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal and limited production began in that year, but the gun was
never perfected and it did not go into general service use. However, some 5 to 7 weapons a month were
being produced in late 1944, apparently for service evaluation purposes. The main alteration from the
British Bofors design was to increase the bore length to 94.49 in (2.400 m) - 60 calibers - and to add
Rhienmetall-style flash suppressors, which proved unsatisfactory. Production was at the Yokosuka Naval
Arsenal and at the Hitachi Manufacturing Company. Used only in manually-worked single mountings, which
had an elevation range of -10 / +95 degrees and a weight of 1,870 lbs. (850 kg). Recoil was 8.5" (21.6
cm). Major problems found by the USN after the surrender were that poor manufacturing caused improper
seating of rounds and jamming of parts, and that the star wheels and extractors were frequently mismated.
Although the Japanese designation is normally described as the Type 5 (Model 1945), "US Naval Technical
Mission to Japan report O-47(N)-2" at one point (page 16) describes the Mechanism designation as "Type 5
(1943)," which cannot be correct and would seem to imply that the Japanese designation was actually
"Type 3" (Model 1943). This designation would seem to be more in keeping with the actual Japanese
design date of 1943. However, it should be noted that the Japanese Model number system, normally based
upon the year the breech design was started, became very chaotic towards the end of World War II, with
new weapons having Type years that had no relationship to the actual year that the breech design was
started. So, this weapon may indeed have been designated as Type 5.
Notes on Soviet Weapons
Some 700 Naval Model and 680 Army Model Bofors guns produced by the USA were sent to the Soviet
Union as a part of Lend-Lease.
.
Data from
"Joining the War at Sea" by Franklyn E. Dailey Jr., Capt. USNR (Ret.)

"The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare" by Bernard Fitzsimmons
"US Battleships: An Illustrated Design History," "US Naval Weapons" and "The Naval Institute Guide to World
Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" all by Norman Friedman
"German Warships 1815-1945 Volume I and Volume II" by Erich Gröner
"Small Arms, Artillery & Special Weapons of the Third Reich" by Terry J. Gander
"Destroyer Weapons of World War 2" by Peter Hodges and Norman Friedman
"Radar at Sea" by Derek Howse
"U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance in World War II" by Lt. Cmdr. Buford Rowland, USNR, and Lt. William B. Boyd,
USNR
"Champions of the Pacific" articles in "Warship Volume II" by Lawrence Sowinski
"Iowa Class Battleships" by Robert F. Sumrall
"German Cruisers of World War Two" and "German Coastal Forces of World War Two" both by M.J. Whitley
---
US Naval Technical Mission to Japan report O-47(N)-2: Japanese Naval Guns and Mounts - Article 2, AA Machine
Guns and Mounts
---
Special help from Mark Fitzpatrick, Robert Hurst, Cliff McMullen, Robert Stoner and Vladimir Yakubov

German 3.7 cm/57 M43
German
3.7 cm/57 (1.5") Flak M43
Updated 17 May 2006
An automatic AA gun designed for easy production and in service in both the
Army and the Navy. This was a modified Rheinmetall 108 MK103 aircraft cannon
that was gas operated, air cooled and used an eight-round ammunition strip.
Trained by shoulder stirrup but elevated via a handwheel. A wet-mount was
provided for U-boats.
.
Images at The Vickers Photographic Archives
See photograph numbers 0203 and 0204
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 3.7 cm/57 (1.5") Flak M43
Adm. Scheer, Lützow, Nürnberg, Köln and Type 35 and Type 37
Ship Class Used On
torpedo boats
Date Of Design 1943
Gun Weight 783 lbs. (355 kg)
Gun Length oa 130 in (3,300 m)
Barrel Length 82.9 in (2.106 m)
Rifling Length 72.4 in (1,838 m)
Lands 0.087 in (2.2 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 60 to 1 in 35.9
250 rounds per minute cyclic
Rate Of Fire
180 rounds per minute practical
.

Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
HE incendiary - 3.28 lbs. (1.49 kg)
AP tracer - 3.31 lbs. (1.50 kg)
HE incendiary - N/A
Bursting Charge
AP tracer - N/A (probably solid bullet)
N/A
Projectile Length HE incendiary, complete round - 14.5 in
(368 mm)
Digl RP-8-2 (2.2/0.85)
Propellant Charge
AP tracer - 0.408 lbs. (0.185 kg) Digl
RP-8-2 (2.2/0.85)
HE incendiary - 2,690 fps (820 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
AP tracer - 2,592 fps (790 mps)
Ammunition stowage per gun 2,000 rounds
Note: The sources below differ in many areas for this weapon. The figures given in this
table come mainly from "German Cruisers of World War Two."
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.

Single Mount: Flak LM43

Designation
Twin Mount: Flak LM44 (modified Flak LM42 mount)
Weight 1.38 tons (1.4 mt)
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"German Destroyers of World War Two" (2nd Edition) and "German Cruisers of World War
Two" both by M.J. Whitley

German
3.7 cm/69 (1.5") M42
Updated 15 May 2006
This weapon was manufactured by Rheinmetal-Borsig and was essentially a

longer barrel version of the Army 3.7 cm Flak 36. This new gun was a great
improvement over the older 3.7 cm/83 SK C/30 and had a much higher rate of
fire. Recoil operated, air cooled and used five-round ammunition strips.
These were the first German light anti-aircraft guns to have shields, a surprising
shortcoming of earlier weapons.
The design of this gun emphasized ease of manufacturing. Constructed of a

monobloc barrel connected to the breech ring by a bayonet joint to allow easy
replacement. Used a vertical sliding breech block, hydraulic brake and spring
recuperator.
Postwar photograph of Z39 showing two twin 3.7 cm Mark 42 guns

Note the USA Baltimore-class 8" (20.3 cm) turret in the background

3.7 cm/69 M42 on U-995

Note the feed guides, which were similar to those used for the 4 cm Bofors
Photograph courtesy of Dave Krakow
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 3.7 cm/69 (1.5") M42
Ship Class Used On U-boats, Emden, destroyers and minesweepers
Date Of Design 1942
Gun Length oa N/A
Lands 0.087 in (2.2 mm)
Twist Uniform RH 1 in 25.6

Rate Of Fire 250 rounds per minute cyclic

.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
HE tracer - 3.0 lbs. (1.36 kg)
Weight of Complete Round HE incendiary - 3.02 lbs. (1.37 kg)
HE tracer - 1.40 lbs. (0.635 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE incendiary - 1.42 lbs. (0.640 kg)
HE tracer - N/A
Bursting Charge HE incendiary - N/A
AP tracer - N/A (probably solid bullet)
N/A
Projectile Length HE incendiary, complete round - 14 in
(355 mm)
0.386 lbs. (0.175 kg) RPC/38N
Propellant Charge
HE tracer - 2,838 fps (865 mps)
Muzzle Velocity HE incendiary - 2,772 fps (845 mps)
AP tracer - 2,674 fps (815 mps)
Notes:
1) The sources below differ in many areas for this weapon. The figures given in this
table come mainly from "Naval Weapons of Word War Two."
2) Minesweeper outfits were half AP tracer and half HE tracer. Outfits on other ships
was intended to be two-thirds HE incendiary and one-third AP tracer.
.
Range
.

Elevation With 1.34 lbs. (0.61 kg) HE Incendiary Shell

.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mount: N/A
Designation
Twin Mount: 3.7 cm Flak LM/42
Single: N/A
Weight
Twin: 1.33 tons (1.35 mt)
Train 360 degrees
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Das Buch der Deutschen Kriegsmarine" by Jak P. Mallmann Showell
"German Destroyers of World War Two (2nd Edition)" and "German Cruisers of World War
---
Special help by Dave Krakow

German 3.7 cm/83 SK C/30
German
3.7 cm/L83 (1.5") SK C/30
3.7 cm/L83 (1.5") SK C/30U
Updated 15 May 2006
This AA weapon was used on every major combatant ship of World War II. It was
only capable of semi-automatic firing, with each shell being individually loaded,
which made it a rather slow-firing weapon for anti-aircraft defense. For this
reason, it was replaced on many ships in the latter part of the war with the 3.7 cm
KM42 and 3.7 cm KM43.
In addition to the normal train and elevation axes, the mounting for this weapon
had a third axis which stabilized the the gun carriage when the ship rolled or
pitched. This allowed the gun to track an airplane without interference from the
motion of the ship. However, problems with this mounting led to its
abandonment in subsequent designs for 3.7 cm guns.
The 3.7 cm/L83 SK C/30U was designed for use on U-boats and was used on a
"wet-mount."
Some quantity of these weapons were exported to Spain.
Used a vertically sliding breech block.
3.7 cm/83 SK C/30 guns on Bismarck

3.7 cm/83 SK C/30 practice shoot aboard Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen
Note the hand loading of individual rounds
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 3.7 cm/L83 (1.5") SK C/30
Ship Class Used On Almost all
Date Of Design 1930
(16) 0.0217 in deep x 0.187 in (0.55 mm
Grooves
x 4.76 mm)
Lands 0.098 in (2.5 mm)


Rate Of Fire
about 30 rounds per minute
(see Note)
Note: Many references show a ROF of 80 rounds per gun per minute (theoretical) and
40 rounds per gun per minute (practical). I believe the above figure, taken from "Naval
Weapons of World War Two" to be more accurate.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Complete Round Weight HE-T: 4.63 lbs. (2.1 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HE-T: 1.64 lbs. (0.742 kg)
Bursting Charge HE-T: 0.8 lbs. (0.365 kg)
Projectile Length 6.4 in (162 mm)
Propellant Charge 0.81 lbs. (0.365 kg) RPC/38N
(see Note 2) Cartridge - 2 lbs. (0.97 kg)
Bismarck: 2,000 rounds
Scharnhorst: 2,000 rounds (later upped to 6,000 rounds)
Deutschland: 2,000 rounds (later upped to 6,000
rounds)
Hipper - single: 7,000 rounds
Hipper - twin: 1,500 rounds
Königsberg, Liepzig and Nürnberg: 1,200 rounds
Z1 - Z47: 2,000 rounds
Notes:
1) Complete round was 20.3 in (516.5 mm) long.
2) As originally introduced, these weapons used RPC/32 propellant.
3) Tracer burnt for 12 seconds.

Range
.
AA Ceiling @ 85 degrees 22,310 feet (6,800 m) - tracer 15,750 feet (4,800 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Twin Mounting
Graf Zepplin (11), Bismarck (8), Hipper
(6), Light Cruisers (4), Destroyers (2)
and Torpedo Boats (1): Dopp LC/30
Designation
Single Mounting
S-Boats (1): Ein LC/34
U-Boat Single
Most U-Boats (1): Ubts LC/39
Dopp LC/30: 8,090 lb (3,670 kg)
Weight Ein LC/34: About 4,400 lbs. (2,000 kg)
Ubts LC/39: 3,200 lbs. (1,450 kg)
Dopp LC/30: -10 / +85 degrees
Elevation Ein LC/34: -10 / +80 degrees
Ubts LC/39: -10 / +90 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A

Notes:
1) The Dopp LC/30 mounting was manually trained and elevated with direct gyro cross
leveling over +/- 19.5 degrees.
2) Twin mounts had a crew of six on-mount plus ammunition passers.
3) Twin mounts were used by most warships Torpedo Boat size and larger while the
single mounts were used mainly by S-boats and small auxiliary warships. Complement
ranged from 11 mounts on the carrier Graf Zepplin, eight on battleships, six on cruisers,
two on destroyers and torpedo boats.
.
Data from
"German Destroyers of World War Two (2nd Edition)" and "German Cruisers of World War

German 2 cm/65 C/30 and C/38
German
2 cm/65 (0.8") C/30
2 cm/65 (0.8") C/38 AA MG
Updated 15 May 2006
Not to be confused with the Oerlikon 20 mm gun used by the Allies, these German 2 cm weapons were manufactured by
Rheinmetall and were developed from an earlier Solothurn design, the ST-5. Both models were fully automatic.
The C/30 model was prone to jamming and used a small magazine (20 rounds) which meant frequent pauses for
reloading. The later C/38 was a much improved weapon which used a 40 round magazine. A very successful variation of
this weapon was the Flak 35, which combined four C/38 guns in a single quad mounting. A three-dimensional stabilized
navy-mount was introduced in 1944.
The C/38 was also produced in very sophisticated twin mount for U-boats. These were able to withstand a 550 foot (200
m) diving depth.
2 cm/65 C30 showing 20-round magazine

The sailor at the lower left is holding a rangefinder. The bag is to catch expended shell casings.
Photograph courtesy of Peter Lienau
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.htm (1 of 5)7/20/2006 14:43:06

Flak 35 (Vierling) Naval Mount L38/43

This weapon is now at the Exposition of Navy Museum, Gdynia
Photograph copyrighted by Michal Kopacz

Flakvierling L/38 Army Mount

Photograph Courtesy of the USAF Museum
Flak 35 (Vierling) Naval Mount L38/43 on Prinz Eugen

This photograph was taken at Philadelphia, PA, USA in 1946
Gun Characteristics
.
2 cm/65 (0.8") C/30
Designation
2 cm/65 (0.8") C/38
Ship Class Used On Almost all
Date Of Design 1930 / 1938
Date In Service 1934 / 1940
C/30: 141 lbs. (64 kg)
Gun Weight
C/38: 129 lbs. (57.5 kg)
Lands 0.104 in (2.65 mm)
Rate Of Fire - C/30
Rate Of Fire - C/38
.
Ammunition
.

Type Fixed
HEI - 0.300 lbs. (0.134 kg)
API - 0.326 lbs. (0.148 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
0.265 lb. (0.120 kg) RPC/38
Propellant Charge
HEI: 2,740 fps (835 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
API: 2,625 fps (800 mps)
Approximate Barrel Life 20,000 - 22,000 rounds
Notes:
1) Outfits were about 75% HEI and 25% API.
2) The sources listed below differ as to the ammunition weights, muzzle velocities, propellants and ranges. I have chosen
to use those given in "German Destroyers of World War Two."
.
Range
.
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Single Mount for C/30 and C/38: Pedestal L/30
Quad Mount for Flak 35: Vierling L/38
Designation Quad 3-D stabilized Mount: Vierling C 38/43
U-boat twin mount: LM44U
S-boat single mount: L41
L/30 with C/30 gun: 926 lbs. (420 kg)
L/30 with C/38 gun: 917 lbs. (416 kg)
Weight Quad Mount Flak 35: 4,740 lbs. (2,150 kg)
LM44U: 7,937 lbs. (3,600 kg)
L41: 1,100 lbs. (500 kg)
Single Mount: -11 / +85 degrees
Vierling: -10 / +90 degrees
Elevation
LM44U: -10 / +78 degrees
L41: -10 / +85 degrees
All except LM44U: Manually operated, only
Elevation Rate
LM44U: 30 or 60 degrees per second
Train 360 degrees

All except LM44U: Manually operated, only

Train Rate
LM44U: 30 degrees per second
Gun recoil N/A
Note: The LM44U had hydraulic training and elevation controlled by a joy-stick. Foot pedals operated the triggers. The
mounting was bi-axial, somewhat surprising given the sophistication of the design.
.
Data from
"Warship Volume III" article by Lawrence Sowinski
"German Destroyers of World War Two (2nd Edition)" and "German Coastal Forces of World War Two" both by M.J. Whitley
---
Special help from Peter Lienau and Robert Hurst

British, Swiss and USA 20 mm/70 (0.79") Oerlikon Marks 1, 2, 3 and 4
Swiss
Oerlikon 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark 1
---
20 mm/70 (0.79") Marks 2, 3 & 4
---
British
20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark II
Updated 21 May 2006
Widely used by many nations, the Swiss-designed 20 mm Oerlikon automatic

weapon was probably produced in higher numbers than any other AA weapon of
World War II. The USA alone manufactured a total of 124,735 guns, with the first
one manufactured in the USA being test fired on 8 June 1941. By 7 December
1941, a total of 379 had been produced.
Oerlikon guns entered service in the British Royal Navy in 1939. It is not
specifically known how many guns were built by Britain and the Dominion
nations, but the Mounting Appropriation Lists of September 1945 shows about
55,000 guns in service in those navies. This total probably includes USA built
weapons provided as a part of Lend-Lease and on those ships that had been
refitted in US shipyards. Some British Auxiliary ships still use these weapons
even today (2006).
This weapon proved very popular with its ease of maintenance and good rate of
fire. In the USN, this weapon replaced the ineffective 0.50" (1.27 cm) BMG on a
one-for-one basis and was the primary anti-aircraft gun until the 40 mm Bofors
became available in large numbers during 1943.
Between December 1941 and September 1944, 32% of all Japanese aircraft
downed were credited to this weapon, with the high point being 48.3% for the
second half of 1942. In 1943 the revolutionary Mark 14 Gunsight was introduced
which made these guns even more effective. This gunsight was developed by Dr.
Charles Draper of MIT, who calculated that since the guns fired at relatively short
ranges, a crude but simple and effective relative-bearing system could be used to
control these weapons. The Mark 14 gunsight used two gyros to measure
vertical and lateral rate of change, calculated the lead angle to the target aircraft

and then projected an off-set aiming point for the gunner. Use of the Mark 14 did
require that an electric power connection be provided to the formerly free-
standing mountings. This gunsight was later adopted as part of the Mark 51
director which was used to control the 40 mm Bofors, greatly increasing their
effectiveness. See the Technical Board essay on the Mark 51 director for
additional information. Postwar, the Mark 14 was replaced by the Mark 20 Gun
Sight, which was a lighter, simpler design. The Mark 20 was ready to use in ten
seconds after being switched on while the Mark 14 took three minutes.
In 1944-45, the USN found that 20 mm shells were too light to stop Japanese
Kamikaze planes and the higher approach speeds of these planes made manually
controlled guns obsolete. As a result, Oerlikons were replaced by 40 mm Bofors
where ever possible during 1944-45 and removed entirely from most US ships by
the mid-1950s.
Use by other nations during World War II: 1) The Italians purchased small
numbers of this weapon directly from Oerlikon. 2) Some 2,002 of these guns
were sent to the Soviet Union as part of Lend-Lease. 3) An unknown quantity of
these guns (Type FF) were purchased by the German Army who designated them
as Flak 28 and Flak 29. These were passed on to the Kriegsmarine in 1939.
Some historical irony: Oerlikon almost went bankrupt in 1935 when the USN
rejected their 20 mm Model 1934 weapon because of its low rate of fire (265 rpm).
Only the Imperial Japanese Navy's purchase of this weapon saved the company
and permitted further development work, which resulted in the much more
successful version used during World War II.
The Mark 1 was the original design by Oerlikon. A small number of this version
were built in the USA as prototypes and possibly in Britain, as well. The USA
Mark 2 and the British Mark II were the first production versions manufactured in
those countries. The differences from the Mark 1 were mainly in the
arrangements of the buffer springs, although the USA Mark 2 also had cooling
ribs and two locking slots. The USA Mark 3 was similar to the Mark 2 but had
fewer cooling ribs and only one locking slot. The later USA Mark 4 was the most
common version built in the USA and had a single, heavier buffer spring. This
version was built to slightly different tolerances as it was designed using English
measurement units rather than the metric units used on previous Marks. The
Mark 4 Mod 4 had a fluted chamber which allowed easier ejection of the spent
cartridge cases. The Mark 1 could be fired in single-shot mode, while all of the
others could only be fired in automatic mode. All guns used a monobloc barrel
and a horizontal sliding breech block mechanism.

These guns are air-cooled and use a gas blow-back recoil system. This weapon
has some unusual features not found in other automatic guns. The barrel does
not recoil, the breechblock is never locked against the breech and is actually
moving forward when the gun fires. This weapon lacks a counter-recoil brake, as
the force of the counter-recoil is checked by the explosion of the next round of
ammunition.
It should be mentioned here how unsuitable the design of the Swiss Mark 1 was
for mass production. Each weapon needed to be tailor made with a great deal of
hand fitting during each stage of assembly. Likewise, the manufacture of
individual parts was a long and labor-intensive process. To give just one
example, the barrel spring casing as designed by Oerlikon started as a 56 lbs. (25
kg) solid alloy steel forging. This required a great deal of machining to produce
the finished part which weighed only 6 lbs. (2.7 kg). BuOrd experts redesigned
this piece to consist of a hollow forged base to which a tubular steel extension
was welded, thus reducing the starting weight to only 14 lbs. (6.5 kg) with a
correspondingly large savings in man-hours, machine tools and costs. As a
result of such redesigns, production time dropped from 428.4 man-hours per gun
in 1941 to only 76.2 man-hours in September 1944.
Unless otherwise noted, the data that follows is for the USA versions, but
weapons built in Britain and Switzerland had similar performance.

20 mm/70 (0.79") on USS Iowa BB-61 about 1943

The crewman on the left is adjusting the trunnion height
Note the Mark 14 Gunsight and that the censor has obscured the radar antennas on the
director and mast
Detail from U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # K-16469
.
.
.
Gun Characteristics
.

Switzerland (Oerlikon): 20 mm/70 Mark 1
Designation USA: 20 mm/70 (0.79") Marks 2, 3 and 4
British: 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark II

Ship Class Used On Almost all Allied ships during World War II
Britain: 1939
Date In Service
US: 1941
150 lbs. (68.04 kg) (including breech
Gun Weight mechanism)
46 lbs. (20.865 kg) (without breech)
Grooves (9) 0.015 in deep x 0.205 (0.38 x 5.207 mm)
Chamber Volume 2.127 in3 (34.855 cm3)
Cyclic: 450 rounds per minute
Rate Of Fire Practical: Between 250 to 320 rounds per
minute
Note: Some references describe the British weapons as 65 calibers long, but gun data
sheets show them to be the same length as USN weapons, 70 calibers.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed

USA
HE Mark 3 - 0.271 lbs. (0.123 kg)
HE-I Mark 3 - 0.271 lbs. (0.123 kg)
HE-T Mark 4 - 0.262 lbs. (0.117 kg)
HE-T Mark 7 - 0.271 lbs. (0.123 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights AP-T Mark 9 - 0.269 lbs. (0.122 kg)
Britain
HE - 0.272 lbs. (0.123 kg)
HE-I - N/A
SAP - N/A
Weight of Complete Round 8.5 oz (0.241 kg)
USA
HE Mark 3 - 0.024 lbs. (0.011 kg)
HE-I Mark 3 - 0.017 lbs. (0.008 kg)
HE-T Mark 4 - 0.010 lbs. (0.005 kg)
Bursting Charge HE-T Mark 7 - 0.010 lbs. (0.005 kg)
AP-T Mark 9 - None
Britain
N/A
N/A
Projectile Length Complete round up to 7.18 in (18.2
cm) long
USA: 0.061 lb. (0.0277 kg) NC tube
Britain: 0.063 lbs. (0.029 kg) NC flake
Propellant Charge
or tube
Brass Cartridge: 0.2 lbs. (0.09 kg)
Cartridge 20 mm x 110RB
New Gun: 2,770 fps (844 mps)
Muzzle Velocity
Average Gun: 2,725 fps (835 mps)
USA: 19.6 tons/in2 (3,090 kg/cm2)
Working Pressure
Britain: 20 tons/in2 (3,150 kg/cm2)

Notes:
1) Outfits in both the USA and Britain included HE and HE-I both with and without
tracer. A SAP round was also manufactured in Britain.
2) Spiral magazines held 60 rounds and were spring driven. A later version held 100
rounds, but it is not known if this actually entered wartime service.
3) The tracer burned for about 3.75 seconds.
4) Steel-cased ammunition had to be greased to allow reliable ejection of the spent

cartridge case.
5) Projectiles leave the barrel rotating at about 1,154 RPS.
6) "RB" in the cartridge designation means Rebated Rim.
7) By V-J day, the USA had produced over a billion rounds (1,000,000,000) of
ammunition at a cost of $786,791,000.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 0.271 lbs. (0.123 kg) HE-I Mark 3 Shells
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
USA
Single Mounts
Marks 2, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 16
Twin Mounts
Marks 20 and 24
Mark 25 (non-Oerlikon - see Note 7)
Triple Mount
Mark 23 (not in service - see Note 6)
Quad Mounts
Mark 15
Marks 22 and 26 (non-Oerlikons - see
Note 7)
Designation
(see Notes 1 and 2)
Britain
Single Mounts
Marks 1, IA, II
Pedestal Mounts
Marks IIA, IIIA, VRCN, VIIA
Submarine Mounts
Marks IIAS/M and VIIA* S/M
Twin Mounts (hand worked)

Marks IX, XIA, XIIA
Twin Mounts (power worked)

Mark V, Mark VC

USA
Marks 2 and 4: 1,695 lbs. (769 kg)
Mark 5: 1,540 lbs. (699 kg)
Mark 6: 1,691 lbs. (767 kg)
Mark 10: 950 - 1,100 lbs. (431 - 499 kg)
Mark 15: 560 lbs. (254 kg)
Mark 16: N/A
Weight Mark 20: 1,340 lbs. (608 kg)
Mark 24: 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Britain
Single guns: 1,146 to 1,680 lbs. (520 to
762 kg)
Light-weight Mark VIIIA: 616 lbs. (279
kg)
USA
Mark 2 and 4: -5 / +87 degrees
Elevation
Britain
All except Mark VIIA and Mark VIIIA: -
5 / +85 degrees
Mark VIIA: -15 / +85 degrees or -15 /
+75 degrees
Mark VIIIA: -15 / +20 degrees
Most mountings: Manual Elevation, only
Elevation Rate
Mark V and VC: N/A
Train
360 degrees
(see Note 8)
Most mountings: Manual Training, only
Train Rate
Mark V and VC: N/A
Gun recoil N/A

Notes:
1) British Marks I, Ia, II had provision for mechanical height adjustment for ease of the
gunner. British Marks IIA, IIIA, VIIA and RCN Mark V were fixed-height pedestal
mountings. The USN Mark 5 mounting was a British design and all but 916 of the 6,101
produced were shipped to Britain.
2) USN Marks 2 and 4 had provision for mechanical height adjustment for ease of the
gunner. Marks 5 and 9 were fixed-height pedestal mountings. Mark 6 was an attempt
at a more reliable mounting and had hydraulic trunnion height adjustment. Mark 10 was
a lightweight design. Mark 15 was a powered quad mount originally designed for PT
boats, but this was not considered to be a serviceable design. However, the battleships
Massachusetts (BB-59), Maryland (BB-46), Washington (BB-55), Colorado (BB-45) and
West Virginia (BB-48) each carried one of these mounts during 1945. Mark 20 was the
prototype for twin mountings. Mark 24 was the standard twin mount in service near the
end of World War II. Marks 5, 10, 20 and 24 all had fixed trunnion heights.
3) The British Mark XIV quad mounting employed guns modified to use belt
ammunition, but this design was abandoned in favor of the twin Bofors.
4) British Mark V and Mark VC Twin mounts were powered by an electro-hydraulic

pump located off-mount, except for those used on coastal craft, which were powered by
the main or auxiliary engines.
5) The gun axis on the twin mountings were 13 inches (33 cm) apart for both British and
USN designs. British Oerlikon guns on the Mark VIIa mounting are still in use today on
a few Auxiliary ships.
6) The USN Mark 23 triple mount was designed at Pearl Harbor. 50 units were
ordered, but testing aboard USS Enterprise CV-6 during 1943 showed that the center
gun was difficult to load and the order was cancelled in May 1944.
7) There were also 20 mm (0.79") T31 aircraft guns - not Oerlikons - used on various
USN ships during the war. Mountings included the Mark 22, which was a power-
operated Maxson quad mount with the operator seated within the mount and was used
on several ships during 1944-45. This was replaced in 1946 by the Mark 26, also by
Maxson, which had a self-contained power source. The Mark 25 was a twin mounting
by Emerson which used T31 aircraft guns.
8) Manually controlled mountings rarely had mechanical stops to prevent unintentional

firing angles. Instead, safety rails were installed around the guns to keep the barrels
from pointing into the ship.

9) In an effort to reduce top weight late in the war, many US ships replaced all of their
single mounts with half that number of twin mounts. This kept the number of barrels the
same, but reduced manning as well as equipment weight.
.
Data from
"US Naval Weapons" by Norman Friedman
"Small Arms, Artillery & Special Weapons of the Third Reich" by Terry Gander
Charles Q. Cutshaw
"Battleships: United States Battleships, 1935-1992" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin, Jr.
"British Battleships of World War Two" by Alan Raven and John Roberts
"U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance in World War II" by Lt. Cmdr. Buford Rowland, USNR, and Lt.
William B. Boyd, USNR
"Warship 1990" article by Robert F. Sumrall
"Rapid Fire" by Anthony G. Williams
---
---
Special Help from Cliff McMullen, Robert Hurst and Vladimir Yakubov

German 8.6 cm (3.4") Raketen Sprenggranate L/4.8 M42/43
German
8.6 cm (3.4") Raketen Sprenggranate L/4.8
(High Explosive Rocket)
Updated 17 May 2006
This weapon entered service in mid-1944 with patrol craft and was later fitted to larger
units. Used a single-barrel projector. Several different kinds of shells were produced,
including HE, smoke and wire cable. Each HE rocket had the destructive power of an
8.8 cm AA shell. The wire cable version was similar to the British UP AA rocket and
used parachutes connected to 100 m (330 feet) of cable. It is not known if these
weapons ever shot down an attacking plane.
It is interesting to note that the parachute version of this weapon was similar to the
ineffective British UP AA rockets. That weapon was withdrawn from service following
the loss of HMS Hood.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_86mm_AA_Rocket.htm (1 of 3)7/20/2006 14:43:09

Illustration from "German Destroyers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley
Gun / Rocket Characteristics

.
Designation 8.6 cm (3.4") Raketen Sprenggranate L/4.8 M42/43
Ship Class Used On Destroyer and Torpedo Boats
Date Of Design 1943


Gun Weight 59.5 lbs. (27 kg)
Gun Length 47 in (120 cm)
Warhead Weight N/A
Maximum Velocity N/A
.
Range
.
Range @ 40 degrees - HE Rocket 440, 660 or 870 yards (400, 600 or 800 m)
Range @ 40 degrees - Parachute Rocket 440 or 1,090 yards (400 or 1,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation 8.6 cm Raketen, Abschussgerat M42/M43: Single tube launcher
Weight 79.4 lbs. (36 kg)
Elevation 0 / +90 degrees
Elevation Rate Manually operated, only
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate Manually operated, only
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from

German 38 cm (14.96") Raketenwerfer 61 L/5.4
German
38 cm (14.96") Raketenwerfer 61 L/5.4
(Rocket Thrower)
This weapon does not truly belong on these data pages, as it did not really enter
service use as a naval weapon. However, about once a year, I receive an Email
from someone who has just discovered that during World War II there was a naval
38 cm (15") projectile with a shaped charge warhead. Most of these people simply
want to know if this projectile was used on the Bismarck class battleships, as
those were the only German ships of that era that carried 38 cm (15") guns. A
few, however, go much further, claiming that this was the "secret weapon" that
exploded and destroyed HMS Hood at Denmark Strait.
The reality is somewhat more pedestrian. About 1942, the German Navy had
developed a short-barrel 38 cm (15") Raketenwerfer (literally, "Rocket Thrower")
gun as an anti-submarine weapon. This was employed at least in Norway, but
was unsuccessful in that role and it appears that few were manufactured.
However, in 1943 the Wehrmacht was developing a wall-busting AFV based upon
the Tiger IE chassis. One of the requirements for this vehicle was that it mount a
weapon that could fire the largest possible HE shell. The Naval rocket gun was
chosen, slightly modified for mounting in the Tiger fighting compartment, and
then redesignated as the "38 cm RTg (Raketen-Tauchgranate) Stu M RW61 L/5.4."
And so, the "Panzermoerser 38 cm" (self-propelled 38 cm mortar) or "Sturmtiger"
was born.
To give this vehicle an increased ability to penetrate thick concrete walls, one or
more hollow-charge projectiles were developed. These, of course, are the 38 cm
"naval" projectile that I get asked about.
Please see the cut-away drawing of these projectiles shown below. From this
drawing, it can be seen that these projectiles had very thin walls and thus could
not withstand the shock of being fired out of the naval 38 cm (15") gun.
Additional data about the "Sturmtiger" can be found from the references listed
below or from any of the many websites devoted to the AFVs of the German Army
- I personally recommend Achtungpanzer.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_38cm_RTG.htm (1 of 6)7/20/2006 14:43:11

"Sturmtiger"
The propellant gasses were expelled from the ring of holes around the barrel

An inside view of the "Sturmtiger" showing the breech and loading tray

Cutaway views of the 4581 and 4592 projectiles

Photograph courtesy of Richard Worth
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 38 cm (15") Raketenwerfer 61 L/5.4
Ship Class Used On Coastal ASW
Date Of Design 1941 (?)
Gun Weight N/A
Bore length N/A
Rifling Length N/A

Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire N/A
.
Ammunition
.
Type Rocket Projectile
Naval rounds
N/A
SturmTiger rounds
Raketen Sprenggranate 4581 (HE) - 761 lbs.
(345.2 kg)
Raketen Hohladungsgranate 4582 (shaped
charge warhead) - about 772 lbs. (351 kg)
WGr 4592 (shaped charge warhead) - 772 lbs.
(351 kg)
Bursting Charge 4581 - 275 lbs. (125 kg)
Projectile Length about 60 in (1.5 m)
Muzzle Velocity 299 fps (91 mps)
Notes:
1) The naval ASW rocket had a fuze activated by water pressure on a rubber
membrane. This could be set to either explode on impact or at a 33 to 40 foot (10 to 12
m) depth.
2) The WGr 4592 could penetrate about 100 inches (2.5 m) of reinforced concrete.
.

Range
.
Elevation With 761 lbs. (345.2 kg) HE Rocket Projectile
Range 5,030 to 8,750 yards (4,600 to 8,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data

.
Designation N/A
Weight N/A
Elevation N/A
Elevation Rate N/A
Train N/A
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Panzerkampfwagen VI: Tiger I and II 'Königstiger' " by Walter J. Spielberger and Uwe Feist
---
Achtungpanzer Website
---
Special help from Richard Worth and Nathan Okun

New German Naval Guns 1939-1945

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German Naval Guns

German Naval Guns

Modern Weapons (1980 to Present)

German Ammunition, Guns and Mountings Definitions

155 mm/52 MONARC Hamburg

Lütjens Class (USN Charles Adams

Deutschland (1960), Hamburg and Köln

Bremen, Brandenburg and Sachsen

40 mm/70 Bofors Model 1958 Modern Warships

35 mm/1000 Millennium Danish Combat Support Ships

27 mm MLG 27 Modern Warships

20 mm/65 Mark 20 Rh202 Modern Warships

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_Main.htm (1 of 5)7/20/2006 14:41:32

Battleship Main Guns

40.6 cm/52 SK C/34

38 cm/52 SK C/34 Bismarck and Schlachtschiff "O"Classes

38 cm/45 SK L/45 Ersatz Yorck and Bayern Classes

35 cm/45 SK L/45 Mackensen Class

Helgoland, Kaiser, König and Derfflinger

30.5 cm/52 Pattern 1907 Volya

28 cm/54.5 SK C/34 Scharnhorst (1938) Class

28 cm/52 SK C/28 Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class

28 cm/50 SK L/50 Moltke and Seydlitz Classes

28 cm/45 SK L/45 Nassau and Von der Tann Classes

28 cm/40 SK L/40 Deutschland Class (1904)

Cruiser / Destroyer Main Guns and Battleship / Cruiser Secondary

Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Fürst

21 cm/45 SK L/45 Blücher (1909)

Victoria Louise, Prinz Adalbert, Roon and

20.3 cm/60 SK C/34 Hipper, Prinz Eugen Classes

17 cm/40 SK L/40 Deutschland (1904) Class

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Z23 and Z37 "Narvik" Destroyer Classes

Lützow (ex-Deutschland), Scharnhorst

Königsberg (1929), Leipzieg and

Most Capital Ships 1908-1918 and

15 cm/45 Tbts KL/45 S113 Destroyer Class and U-Boat

Kaiser Friedrich III, Wittelsbach, Victoria

12.7 cm/45 SK C/41 Z46 and Z52 Destroyer Classes

12.7 cm/61 KM40 Shore-based AAA of World War II

Z1, Z17, Z35, Z43 and Z51 Destroyer

Z1 to Z6 (ex-USN Fletcher Class

Lützow (ex-Deutschland), Scharnhorst

Schlesien Class, Emden (1925), Torpedo

10.5 cm/55 SK C/28 Bremse and Wolf Classes

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10.5 cm/45 SK L/45 Kolberg, Magdeburg, Karlsruhe,

Grazelle, Bremen (1904), Königsberg

Smaller Caliber and Anti-Aircraft Guns

8.8 cm/45 SK C/35 Type VII U-Boats

Königsberg (1929), Leipzieg and

8.8 cm/78 SK C/31 Lützow (ex-Deutschland) Class

8.8 cm/45 SK C/30

Most Capital Ships, Destroyers and

8.8 cm/35 SK L/35 Pre-dreadnoughts

Gunboats of the 1900s

Z1 to Z6 (ex-USN Fletcher Class

7.5 cm/36 SK C/34 Small Warships of World War II

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5.5 cm/77 Gerät 58 Type 42C Destroyers

Cruisers and Large Torpedo Boats

5 cm/40 Tbts KL/40 Cruisers and Torpedo Boats of 1890s

4 cm/56 Flak 28 Many ships after 1943