240mm Howitzer, Model 1918 Schneider

240mm Howitzer, Model 1918 Schneider. . , This was an American built copy of the outstanding French Schneider 240mm Howitzer. Although nearly the same size as the British 9.2 inch howitzer and the 8 inch howitzer, the 240mm was by far more powerful than either. The former had ranges of about 6 miles. The 240mm howitzer hurled a shell weighing 356 lbs. and carrying a bursting charge of 49 lbs. of high explosive to a range of almost 10 miles. This piece was served by a shot truck carrying two 365 lbs. projectiles that ran on an industrial track to the ammunition dump. The projectiles were lifted from the shot truck and placed on a rammer car by shot tongs and a hand crane. The rammer car, operated by hand cranks, moved along a track into a cradle, locking with the breech of the howitzer, after which the projectile was pushed into position by rammer chain, followed by the powder charge. For movement, four transport wagons were required. In setting up the 240mm for action, digging the pit and assembling the piece took from 3 to 12 hours. The 4-foot deep pit was required for the massive underground box, which held the howitzer in place when it was fired. , Caliber - 9.4 in. - 240 mm , Weight - 41,296 lbs. - 18,731 kg , Range - 18,000 yds. - 16,459 m , Shell Weight - 356 lbs. - 164 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,700 ft/sec. - 518 m/sec. , Elevation - (- 1 to 60 degrees) - (- 18 to 1,067 mils) , Traverse - 20 degrees - 355 mils , Rate of Fire - 12 rpm , CCN#127017