5-inch gun M1897
| 5-inch gun M1897 | |
|---|---|
5-inch gun M1897 on balanced pillar mount M1896 | |
| Type | Coastal artillery, Field gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1897–1920 |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Wars | World War I |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Watervliet Arsenal |
| Designed | 1897 |
| Manufacturer | |
| No. built |
|
| Variants | M1897, M1900 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Barrel length |
|
| Shell | Bagged charge, separate loading, 59 lb (27 kg) shell, 22.25 lb (10.09 kg) powder |
| Caliber | 5 inch (127 mm) |
| Breech | Interrupted screw, De Bange type |
| Recoil | Hydro-spring |
| Carriage |
|
| Elevation | 40° (field carriage) |
| Traverse | balanced pillar: 360° (varied with emplacement) pedestal: 360° (varied with emplacement) |
| Maximum firing range | M1900: 12,918 yards (11,812 m) |
| Feed system | hand |
The 5-inch gun M1897 (127 mm) and its variant the M1900 were coastal artillery pieces installed to defend major American seaports between 1897 and 1920. For most of their history they were operated by the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps. They were installed on balanced pillar (a form of disappearing carriage) or pedestal (aka barbette) mountings; generally the M1897 was on the balanced pillar mounting and the M1900 was on the pedestal mounting. All of these weapons were scrapped within a few years after World War I.