7.7 cm FK 96
Encyclopedia
The 7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 (7.7 cm FK 96) was a field gun used by Germany
before World War I
. It was a thoroughly conventional gun, being a modernized version of Krupp
's FK 73 gun, but failed to incorporate any recoil system other than a partially effective spade brake. Thus it was rendered obsolete when the French introduced their Canon de 75 modèle 1897
the following year. Most guns were rebuilt to modern standards (only the barrel was retained) in 1904 as the 7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.
(neuer Art) [new model] which served throughout World War I
as one of Germany's main light field guns. The remaining unmodified guns were then known as the 7.7 cm FK 96 a.A. (alte Art or old model).
A number of 7.7cm Feldkanone C/96 (FK 96 a/A) guns were sold to the Boer republic of Transvaal
. These guns were used against the British in the Second Boer War
between 1899 and 1902.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was a thoroughly conventional gun, being a modernized version of Krupp
Krupp
The Krupp family , a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, have become famous for their steel production and for their manufacture of ammunition and armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th...
's FK 73 gun, but failed to incorporate any recoil system other than a partially effective spade brake. Thus it was rendered obsolete when the French introduced their Canon de 75 modèle 1897
Canon de 75 modèle 1897
The French 75mm field gun was a quick-firing field artillery piece adopted in March 1898. Its official French designation was: Matériel de 75mm Mle 1897. It was commonly known as the French 75, simply the 75 and Soixante-Quinze .The French 75 is widely regarded as the first modern artillery piece...
the following year. Most guns were rebuilt to modern standards (only the barrel was retained) in 1904 as the 7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.
7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.
The 7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art was a field gun used by Germany in World War I.-Description:The gun combined a barrel of the earlier 7.7 cm FK 96 with a recoil system, a new breech and a new carriage. Existing FK 96s were upgraded over time. The FK 96 n.A...
(neuer Art) [new model] which served throughout World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as one of Germany's main light field guns. The remaining unmodified guns were then known as the 7.7 cm FK 96 a.A. (alte Art or old model).
A number of 7.7cm Feldkanone C/96 (FK 96 a/A) guns were sold to the Boer republic of Transvaal
South African Republic
The South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
. These guns were used against the British in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
between 1899 and 1902.
See also
- Ordnance BL 15 pounderOrdnance BL 15 pounderThe Ordnance BL 15 pounder, otherwise known as the 15 pounder 7 cwt, was the British Army's field gun in the Second Boer War and some remained in limited use in minor theatres of World War I.-History:...
, British equivalent - C64 (field gun)C64 (field gun)The Krupp C64 steel, breach loaded field gun was one one main artillery pieces of the Prussians in the 1870-1871 war with France. It was superior to the French counterparts in every way: accuracy, rate of fire and range.The C64 was the sole gun of the horse artillery units...
, roughly its predecessor in the Franco-Prussian and Second Schleswig War.