Krupp 105mm heavy gun M. 1905

 

 

 

 

Bulgarian designation :

105-мм скорострелно оръдие Д-30

Turkish designation :

10,5/30 sm. seri ateşli muhasara top

Krupp designation :

10.5cm Belagerungskanone L/30

Calibre :

105mm L/30

Weight in action :

2835 kg

Weight of the limber :

520 kg

Barrel length :

3.150 m

Shield thickness :

4 mm

Battering charge :

1550 g of smokeless powder (full charge)

963 g of smokeless powder (reduced charge)

1550/1570 g of smokeless powder (fixed ammunition)

H.E. Shell weight :

16 kg – charge : 700 g Fp. 02

16 kg – 1150 g of Füllpulver 60/40

Shrapnel weight :

16 kg – 470 lead bullets x 15 g

16 kg – 400 steel bullets x 15 g

Muzzle velocity :

538 m/s (full charge)

378 m/s (reduced charge)

Max. range :

11000 m (full charge)

7500 m (reduced charge)

Elevation :

+ 27° / - 5°

Traversing angle :

4°

Ammunition :

wagon limber - ? shells, wagon body - 32 shells

Remarks :

Quick firing heavy gun, with hydro-spring recoil system, single-motion wedge breech mechanism, traverse on pivot. Turkish Army bought three six-guns batteries in 1905. They were delivered in 1908. At the beginning of the Balkan War, they were in Odrin, where they were captured by Bulgarian Army in 1913.

The gun fired both fixed ammunition, with the propelling charge put into the cartridge-case, and separate ammunition, with the charges contained in pouches.

 

Pictures from Sofia Military Museum

 

 

General Vazov in front of a Turkish

105mm gun captured in Odrin

105mm gun with its servants