Historic context :

At the end of the XIX th century, the companies Nordenfelt (Paris, France) and Cockerill (Seraing, Belgique) made an alliance in order to join the competition in which most of the european weapon industrials were participating in order to create new quick firing 75 mm fieldguns. After two prototypes not so convincing (modèle 1891 et modèle 1894), these allied compagnies issued a '7c5 Cockerill-Nordenfelt M 1896 fieldgun.

Although being pretty classical with the metallurgical choices with the old style bronze barrel, this gun integrated a modern interrupted screw breech, an hydraulic recoil brake linked to the mobile carriage linking the tube to the craddle, and wheels brakes.

Despite its mean performances and its imposing almost 2 tons weight, this gun was tested attentively by several nations including Belgium, and was used as the basis of another gun that was this time equipped with the famous eccentric breech system that will be used by later the mighty 75 Mle 1897 French fieldgun.

This gun has never been in active service in the Belgian army, and therefore never participated to WW1.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 7.5 cm Cockerill-Nordenfelt Gun M 1896
• Design year : 1896
• Calibre : 75.00 mm
• Weight in firing position : 1840 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 24.00
• Grooves : 0
• Projectile weight : 5.3 kg
• Initial speed : unknown
• Fire rate :
• Range : 6000 m
• Elevation range : -7 / +25 degrees
• Direction range : None

• L'Artillerie Légère de Campagne Belge de 1900 à 1940 - Tome I           Colonel Roger Lothaire                   Editions du Patrimoine Militaire   2011  
• L'Artillerie Légère de Campagne Belge de 1900 à 1940 - Tome II       Colonel Roger Lothaire                   Editions du Patrimoine Militaire   2012