Historic context :

At the start of the XXth century it seemed the Russian artillery manufacturers were unable to design modern heavy weapons. The increasingly close collaboration with the French Schneider Works allowed Putilov (Russia) to rapidly increase its technology and finally propose modern guns. But the production was slow, so that the Russian State decided to import, in parallel, numerous foreign guns, mainly from France and Germany.

Capitalizing on their design of the '6 pouces M1909 howitzer' for Putilov, the Schneider engineers could quickly add to their catalog an equivalent howitzer with slightly improves performances and a noticeably lower weight. It was keeping most of the initial design characteristics, including the variable recoil-recuperation hydro-pneumatic system, the long cradle, the typical quick-action Schneider breech with front panel and interrupted screw, and the shield.

In 1907 an agreement was signed between Schneider and Putilov allowing the Russioan plants to produce under license weapons designed by Schneider in order to equip the Russian army. This is how the 'Schneider-Putilov de 152.4 mm M 1910 howitzer', also called '6 inches low', was initially built in le Creusot in France, then under licence in Russia by Putilov.

This designed was used as the base for the development for the French army of the famous 155mm Court Mle 1915 & Mle 1917 Schneider howitzer. The Russian M1910 was an excellent howitzer, powerful and easy to transport. Like the same caliber Putilov M1909 howitzer, it was later modernized by the Soviet plants and stayed in service until the 1950's.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 6 inches howitzer M 1910 Schneider
• Design year : 1910
• Calibre : 152.40 mm (6 in)
• Weight in firing position : 2130 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 12.00
• Grooves : 0
• Projectile weight : 42 kg
• Initial speed : 381 m/s
• Fire rate :
• Range : 8700 m
• Elevation range : -0 to +43 degrés
• Direction range : 6 degrees total range