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3-inch/21-caliber field gun

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3 Inch / 21 Caliber Field Gun
Type
  • Field gun
  • Naval gun
  • Place of originUnited States
    Service history
    Used by
    Production history
    Designed1874
    Produced1875 –
    Specifications
    Mass384 pounds (174 kg)
    Length69.6 inches (1.77 m)
    Barrel length64.3 inches (1.63 m) bore (21 calibres)

    Shell13 pounds (5.9 kg) (projectile)
    Caliber3-inch (76 mm)
    BreechFletcher breech mechanism
    Recoilhydraulic recoil piston
    CarriageWheeled
    Rate of fire8 – 9 rounds per minute
    Muzzle velocity1,150 feet per second (350 m/s)
    Effective firing range5,000 yards (4,600 m) at 19.5° elevation

    The 3"/21 caliber gun (spoken "three-inch-twenty-one-caliber") was a field gun for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. They were a simple horse-drawn artillery gun that were mostly used by the Marines. The guns have also been described as Boat Guns but information on type of mounts has not been found.[1]

    Description

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    The Mark 1 was intended as a support gun for landing operations. It was of simple monobloc construction with a Fletcher breech mechanism with down swinging carrier, and used a hydraulic recoil piston that was screwed onto the gun directly. It most likely used bagged ammunition with a 13 pounds (5.9 kg) projectile at a velocity of 1,150 feet per second (350 m/s). Range was 5,000 yards (4,600 m) at 19.5 degree s of elevation.[1]

    Surviving pieces

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    Guns No. 5 and 6, built in 1875, had been restored and were located in St. Clair, Pennsylvania as of 2004.[1]

    References

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    1. ^ a b c "United States of America 3"/21 Field Guns 3"/21 (7.62 cm) Mark 1". Navweaps. 3 December 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2016.