Canon de 305 mm Modèle 1893/96 gun
< Canon de 305 mm Modèle 1893
| Canon de 305 mm Modèle 1893/96 | |
|---|---|
Forward turret on Suffren | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | First World War |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 48 tonnes (47 long tons; 53 short tons) |
| Barrel length | about 12.2 metres (40 ft) |
| Shell | Separate-loading, bagged charge |
| Shell weight | 349 kilograms (769 lb) |
| Caliber | 305 millimetres (12 in) |
| Breech | Welin interrupted-screw breech |
| Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Elevation | -5°? to +15° |
| Traverse | depended on mount |
| Rate of fire | 1 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 780 m/s (2,600 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 12,000 m (13,000 yd) |
The Canon de 305 mm Modèle 1893/96 was a heavy naval gun used as the main armament of a number of French pre-dreadnoughts during World War I. It equipped the Charlemagne, République and Liberté-class battleships as well as the unique battleships Iéna and Suffren. It was also used as railway artillery in World War I.