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SURVIVING GUN FILE (# 873)
Version française

USA

75mm fieldgun M 1917

Light artillery

Contributor :
Bernard Plumier      http://www.passioncompassion1418.com
     
     
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Location :
USA
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Ordnance Museum
Coordinates : Lat : 39.49150 / Long : -76.14120
General comments on this surviving gun :
The extraordinary tanks and artillery collections of the Aberdeen Proving Groun unhopefully has been scattered amongst several othe US sites. The new location of this particular gun is not known to me.


Identical items in the same location : 1
Items covered by this file : 1

Of course, this gun has a very similar look to the British 18 pdr, the only difference being the tube calibre. The museum plate unexpectingly says this one has been produced for Canada ?

Rear view. Note the tubular trail, typical of the 18-pdr early versions.

Breech markings : "75mm - FIELDGUN - MODEL OF 1917 (BRITISH)".


Historic and technical information
Denomination :     75 M 1917 Origin :       ( US Ordn. Dpt)             ( USA )          

Historic context :

Before entering into war, the only US Army fieldgun was the quite unsatisfactory 3 inches M1902 fieldgun, plus a brand new 3 inches M1916 fieldgun that never succeeded to go over the design table and stayed a promising prototype. It was therefore decided to ask to the French allies to equip the US troops with the famous 75mm Mle 1897. But the first tests of manufacturing of that gun in USA were not good.

It looks like there are many reasons for that, from the real technical difficulties (including the adaptation of the US tools to the metric system) to the possible bad will of the French to give all the secrets drawings of the miracle gun to the American plants (Bethlehem Steel Corporation).

Meanwhile, the US attempted to take the opportunity of the experience they gathered by manufacturing the 18-pounder field gun as a contractor for the British Army (more tha 851 guns manufactured), and adapt that design to a 75 mm calibre. This 75mm fieldgun M1917 was produced to 909 pieces, but could not be delivered on time to take a part in the fightings.

Technical data :

  • Complete description : 75 mm fieldgun model 1917
  • Design year : 1917
  • Calibre : 75.00 mm
  • Weight in firing position : 1300 kg
  • Weight for transportation :
  • Tube length in calibres : 30.00
  • Grooves : 0 unknown
  • Projectile weight : 6.8 kg
  • Initial speed : 530 / 565 m/s (old / new shell)
  • Fire rate :
  • Range : 8000 / 11000 m (old / new shell)
  • Elevation range : -5 to +16 degrees
  • Direction range : 8 degrees range


Sources