10.5 cm SK L/45 naval gun

Summary

The 10.5 cm SK L/45 (Schnelladekanone Länge 45, quick-loading cannon with a barrel length of 45 calibers) was a German naval gun that was used in World War I and World War II and was the successor of the older 10.5 cm SK L/40 naval gun.

10.5 cm SK L/45
The gun from the submarine SM UB-91, displayed as a memorial at Chepstow in Wales
TypeNaval gun
Place of originGerman Empire
Service history
In service1907–1945
Used byGerman Empire
Nazi Germany
WarsWorld War I
World War II
Production history
DesignedAbout 1906–1907
ManufacturerPeddinghaus
Specifications
Mass1,450 kg (3,200 lb)
Length4.725 m (15 ft 6.0 in)
Width6.8 mm (0.27 in)

ShellFixed Brass Casing:
25.5 kg (56 lb)
Shell weight17.4 kg (38 lb)
Caliber10.5 cm (4.1 in)
BreechHorizontal sliding-block
ElevationDependent on mounting:
  • MPL C/06: -10° to +30°
  • Tbts LC/16: -10° to +50°
  • Ubts LC/16: -10° to +50°
  • Flak 45: -5° to +70°
  • MPLC/30: -9° to +80°[1]
Traverse360°
Rate of fire15 RPM
Muzzle velocity710 m/s (2,300 ft/s)
Effective firing range12,700 m (41,700 ft)
Maximum firing rangeHorizontal: 12,700 m (13,900 yd) at 30°
Vertical: 8,230 m (27,000 ft) at 80°

Description edit

The 10.5 cm SK L/45 gun weighed 1,450 kilograms (3,200 lb), had an overall length of 472.5 cm (15 ft 6 in). It used a horizontal sliding-block breech design. Cradle is usually mounted on a conical pedestal mount, bolted to the submarine deck.

The guns were carefully designed according to the requirements of submarine operations and was therefore streamlined in design. Many items manufactured from brass to resist corrosion.[2]

It was used on many German and foreign ships like SMS Mowe and Ottomon cruiser Midilli.

Naval use edit

Gallery edit

See also edit

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era edit

References edit

  1. ^ Campbell, Naval Weapons of WWII, p. 249
  2. ^ "10.5 cm SK L/45 Submarine Gun (Germany)". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-08-11.

Bibliography edit

  • Campbell, John (2002). Naval Weapons of World War Two. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • Gander, Terry; Chamberlain, Peter (1979). Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939–1945. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-15090-3.
  • Hogg, Ian V. (1997). German Artillery of World War Two (2nd corrected ed.). Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 1-85367-480-X.
  • Rolf, Rudi (1998). Der Atlantikwall: Bauten der deutschen Küstenbefestigungen 1940-1945. Osnabrück: Biblio. ISBN 3-7648-2469-7.
  • Rolf, Rudi (2004). A Dictionary on Modern Fortification: An Illustrated Lexicon on European Fortification in the Period 1800-1945. Middleburg, Netherlands: PRAK.

External links edit

  • SK L/45 at Navweaps.com