U.S. 6-Inch Siege Howitzer, Model of 1908/1908M1

U.S. 6-Inch Siege Howitzer, Model of 1908/1908M1. . , Prior to World War I, this heavy siege piece was highly regarded for its rugged reliability and large, bunker-penetrating round. It was unique among American artillery in having the variable length recoil mechanism situated above the tube. Though well suited to requirements, budget constraints restricted its run of production. A total of 40 of these weapons were produced before the U.S. went to war in 1917 and all were employed for training stateside. By the outbreak of World War I, the United States 6-inch Howitzer, Model of 1908, was considered insufficiently powerful for frontline use and used ammunition not standard to the Allied weapons. The French 155-mm Schneider Howitzer, Model of 1917, was adopted to take its place. The Schneider was also more desirable from a production standpoint and its range, at 13,100 yards, was nearly twice that of the 6-inch Howitzer. During the war, the 6-inch Howitzer regiments were part of the early motorization efforts. Motorizing these regiments freed 1,440 horses for service at the front. , Caliber - 6 in. - 152 mm , Weight - 7,582 lbs. - 3,446 kg , Range - 6,704 yds. - 6,188 m , Shell Weight - 120 lbs. - 54.4 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 900 ft/sec. - 274 m/sec. , Elevation - (- 5 to 35 degrees) - (- 89 to 620 mils) , Traverse - 5 degrees - 89 mils , Rate of Fire - 2 rpm (estimated) , CCN# 109135