305mm/45 Modèle 1906 gun

The 305mm/45 Modèle 1906 gun was a heavy naval gun of the French Navy.

305mm/45 Modèle 1906 gun
Main guns of the Courbet
Type	Naval gun
Place of origin	France
Service history
Used by	French Navy
Wars	World War I World War II
Specifications
Mass	54.65 metric tons (53.79 long tons)
Barrel length	12.775 meters (41 ft 11.0 in)
Shell	Separate charges
Shell weight	440 kilograms (970 lb)
Caliber	305 millimeters (12.0 in)
Breech	1906: Manz interrupted screw 1910: Welin interrupted screw
Rate of fire	1.5 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	780 meters per second (2,600 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	14,500 meters (15,900 yd) at +12°

The type was used on the Danton-class battleship, mounted in two twin turrets. An improved version, the 305mm/45 Modèle 1910 gun, was installed on the Courbet class. Six surplus guns were modified to become railway guns and designated Canon de 305 modèle 1906/10 à glissement at the end of World War I, and, although too late to see action in that war, they were used during the Second World War.

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

• BL 12 inch Mk X naval gun Vickers (British) equivalent
• 12"/45 caliber Mark 5 gun US equivalent

Bibliography

• Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-84832-100-7.
• Jordan, John (2013). "The 'Semi-Dreadnoughts' of the Danton Class". In Jordan, John (ed.). Warship 2013. London: Conway. pp. 46–66. ISBN 978-1-84486-205-4.

External links

• PIECES LOURDES : 240 et plus
• 305 mm/45 (12") Model 1906 and Model 1906-1910