105 MM Howitzer

The display reads:

 

105 MM Howitzer

 

M101

 

USA 1928 to Present

 

The "105" has been the workhouse of the U.S. Field Artillery and 46 other countries around the world. It was the recommended gun of the 1919 Westerveldt Board based on the experiences of World War I.

 

The M1 tube was standardized in 1928 using 7 increment, semi-fixed ammunition and equipped with the wooden wheeled, horse drawn carriage M1. In 1935 the howitzer was altered to handle fixed ammunition and by 1940 a new carriage M2 was standardized for high speed towing. The carriage in front of you is the M2A2 of 1943 design. Redesignated M101 in 1947, this seventy year old howitzer system is still on active duty. Over 10,000 have been produced. Simple, sturdy, and with an expected life of 7,500 full charges this veteran of many campaigns will probably be in use into the next century.

 

Caliber: 105 mm (4.1 in)

Weight: 1,934 kg (4,260 lbs)

Shell Weight: 14.9 kg (33 lbs)

Range: 11,430 m (12,500 yds)

Elevation: -90 mils to 1,150 mils (- 5 degrees + 65 degrees)

Traverse: 818 mils (46 degrees)

Rate of Fire: 8 rounds per minute

Detachment: 5

 

Museum Acc. # 92.49.1

 

Taken December 26th, 2011.

Done