17 cm SK L/40 gun

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
17 cm SK L/40
SMS Hessen 17 cm guns.jpg
Guns in turret (upper) and casemate (lower) on SMS Hessen
Type Naval gun
Railway gun
Coast-defence gun
Place of origin  German Empire
Service history
In service 1906—45
Used by  German Empire
 Nazi Germany
Wars World War I
World War II
Production history
Designed 1904—06
Specifications
Weight 10.7 metric tons (10.5 long tons; 11.8 short tons)
Length 6.904 meters (22 ft 7.8 in)

Shell separate-loading, case charge
Shell weight about 62.8 kg (138 lb)
Caliber 172.6 millimeters (6.80 in)
Breech horizontal sliding-wedge
Muzzle velocity 875 m/s (2,870 ft/s)

The 17 cm SK L/40[Note 1] was a German naval gun that was used in the two World Wars. Originally a naval gun, it was adapted for land service during World War I.

Description

The 17 cm SK L/40 gun weighed 10.7 metric tons (10.5 long tons; 11.8 short tons), had an overall length of 6.904 meters (22 ft 7.8 in). Although designated as 17 centimeters (6.7 in), its actual caliber was 17.26 centimeters (6.80 in). It used the Krupp horizontal sliding block, or "wedge", as it is sometimes referred to, in a breech loading design, rather than the interrupted screw commonly used in the heavy guns of other nations. This required that the propellant charge be loaded in a metal, (usually brass), case which provides obduration, i.e. seals the breech to prevent escape of the expanding propellant gas.

Used in Atlantic Wall

World War I

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

A number of guns were used as towed artillery and railway guns during World War I.

World War II

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Six guns dismounted from obsolete battleships were used as railway guns from 1938 onwards.

See also

Footnotes

Notes
  1. SK - Schnelladekanone (quick loading cannon); L - Länge in Kaliber (length in caliber)
Citations

References

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links