6-inch field howitzer M-1908

6 inch Field Howitzer Model of 1908
300px M1908 at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, Ft. Sill, OK
Type	Heavy howitzer
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1908?-1925?
Used by	United States
Wars	World War I
Production history
Designer	Bethlehem Steel
Number built	100+
Specifications
Weight	3906 kg (8,611 lbs)
Crew	9
Shell	120 pounds (54 kg), separate loading, bag charge with brass obturation case
Calibre	6 in (152.4 mm)
Breech	interrupted screw
Recoil	hydrospring
Elevation	-5° to 40°
Traverse	6°
Muzzle velocity	900 feet per second (270 m/s)
Maximum firing range	6,700 yards (6,125 m) (40° max elevation)

The 6 inch Field Howitzer, Model of 1908 was the standard American heavy howitzer before World War I. Approximately one hundred of these weapons had been produced before 1917 and all were employed for training stateside. For combat use in France Canon de 155 C mle 1917 Schneider were purchased. All surviving weapons were retired during the 1920s.

It is unique among American-designed field artillery weapons in that it has the recoil cylinder situated above the barrel. The 75 mm Gun M1917 also has this, but is based on the British Ordnance QF 18-pounder.

Ammunition was either common steel shell with a base fuze or shrapnel with a combination time/percussion fuze.

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

• 15 cm sFH 02 approximate German equivalent

Gallery

• Mexican Revolution (205).jpg

  In Ft. Bliss, TX in 1910s

• 6inch-howitzer-M1908-FAJ19110912.jpg

  In travelling position

External links

• 6-inch Howitzer M1908 at Landships.info