German 150mm Heavy Howitzer

German 150mm Heavy Howitzer. 15cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18. This was the standard divisional artillery medium howitzer of the German army in World War II. It entered service in 1934 and was the result of a joint Krupp and Rheinmetall design. Originally manufactured by Rhienmetall-Borsig AG in Düsseldorf, it was eventually made by an additional four companies. It was mounted on the same carriage as the 10cm Kanone 18 Gun. The howitzer had a horizontal sliding breechblock mechanism and a hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism. The weapon was generally tractor-drawn with a two wheeled limber attached to the trails. For towing, the tube was moved out of battery into the transport cradle. The detachable spades were mounted to the side of the trails in transport. It fired high explosive, concrete piercing, smoke and armor piercing rounds. The counter-recoil cylinder was located above the tube. The lower cylinder under the tube braked the gun in recoil and served as a buffer in counter-recoil. The s.F.H. 18 was a sturdy dependable howitzer, which saw heavy use during and after World War II in many armies. The howitzer also served on two German self-propelled howitzers: the Hummel, that used Panzerkampfwagen IV Tank chassis, and on the Lorraine, that was mounted on a French Tractor chassis. , Caliber - 5.91 in. - 149 mm , Weight - 12,000 lbs. - 5,455 kg , Range - 14,570 yds. - 13,325 m , Shell Weight - 95.7 lbs. - 43.4 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,706 ft/sec. - 520 m/sec. , Elevation - (-3 to +45 degrees) - (-53 to +800 mils) , Traverse - 60 degrees - 1,020 mils , Rate of Fire - 4 rpm , CCN# 127027