Austro-Hungarian 100mm Field Howitzer, M1914

Austro-Hungarian 100mm Field Howitzer, M1914. 10cm Feld Haubitze 14 . At the beginning of World War I this howitzer was one of the standard field artillery pieces of Germany's ally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Shortly after the beginning of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire introduced a new 10cm field howitzer, the model of 1914. While not the best design available, it could be quickly produced and sent to the front. Its construction was typical for the time with a hollow box trail, horizontal sliding wedge breech, splinter shield and equilibrator (balancing springs) to aid in elevation. It also incorporated a variable recoil system that shortened the recoil as the tube was elevated. Traverse was on the axle and two types of spades were available, either an ice spade or an earth spade. Troop seats for two of the crew were affixed to the front of the shield. The weapon could also be broken down into three loads and carried on small carts for use in mountainous terrain. The ammunition was separate-loading with five propellant charges. The projectiles included a shrapnel round, a mining shell with large explosive filler and a delayed action fuse, plus a combination shell/shrapnel round. , Caliber - 3.94 in. - 100 mm , Weight - 2,970 lbs. - 1,350 kg , Range - 9,100 yds. - 8,400 m , Shell Weight27 lbs.12.4 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,335 ft/sec. - 407 m/sec. , Elevation - (-8 to +50 degrees) - (-142 to +888 mils) , Traverse - 6 degrees - 107 mils , Rate of Fire - 10 rpm , CCN# 127035