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SURVIVING GUN FILE (# 98)
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Germany

21cm Versuch Mörser L/10

Heavy artillery

Contributor :
Charlie Clelland     
Charles Catford     
Mike Etzel     
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Location :
Australia
Red Cliffs, VIC

Coordinates : Lat : -34.30650 / Long : 142.18640
General comments on this surviving gun :


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

Most probably a unique mortar nowdays, this mortar has been produced in 8 specimen only

These prototypes have led to the design of the famous 21cm M10 mortars, but it is hard to find similarities between both weapons...

Markings unknown, but the tube is marked with Prussia arms, and the gun is reported to be the Nr 3 (or 5...) from 1906


Historic and technical information
Denomination :     21cm V.Mrs. L/10 Origin :       ( Krupp)          

Historic context :

At the beginning of the XXth century, a new technologic revolution shakes the artillery science, with the apparition of brake / recuperator systems 'on board' allowing to considerably increase the fire rates by avoiding to re-aim the guns after each shot. Despite an initial defiance that made her lose some ground to FRrance, Germany quickly understood the importance of this evolution and modernised most of its weapons with the help of the powerful Krupp and Ehrardt companies and at the cost of an enormous budget.

But this technology is complex, and requires numerous tests and settings. In the case of the 21 cm mortars, not less than 3 Krupp prototypes produced from 1903 will be needed before transitioning from the 'old' 21cm M 99 into the famous 'der Mörser', officially named '21cm M 10' mortar.

The last of these prototypes, 21cm VersuchMörser L/10 Nr 3', also named 'Vers. Mrs. Nr. 3 ständig langer Rücklauf' appeared in 1906 and was produced in a small serie of 8 specimens for the creation of 2 batteries that will be tested 'live' during peace time manoeuvres and perhaps used during the war. It was equipped with track pads ('radgürtel') for use on field.

The insufficient range (7000 m) of this prototype will be increased up to 9400 m and its impressive transport weight of almost 8 tons lowered to 7380 kg with the 21cm morser 1910 that massively equipped the German FussArtillerie in 1914.

Technical data :

  • Complete description : 21cm L/10 prototype mortar
  • Design year : 1906
  • Calibre : 211.00 mm
  • Weight in firing position : 5384 kg + 750 kg (track pads)
  • Weight for transportation : 7438 kg, in two separated loads, plus 750 kg trackpads
  • Tube length in calibres : 10.00 (total tube length)
  • Grooves : 64
  • Projectile weight : 120 kg
  • Initial speed : 288 m/s
  • Fire rate :
  • Range : 7000 m
  • Elevation range : +4 à +60 degrees
  • Direction range : 4 degrees total range


Sources
  • German Artillery of World War One           Herbert Jager                   Crowood   2001  
  • Deutsche 21-cm Morser 1911-1945, Waffen-Arsenal #162       Wolfgang Fleischer                   Waffen-Arsenal   1996  
  • Les 'Mörser' de calibre 21 cm - Atouts majeurs de l'artillerie allemande en 1914-1918 - Tank Zone Nr 11       Général Guy François                   Histoire et Collection   2010  
  • Das Geraet der Schweren Artillerie vor, in und nach der Weltkrieg       Herman Schirmer                   Bernard und Graefe, Berlin   1937