Krupp 105mm field howitzer M. 1912

 

 

 

 

Bulgarian designation :

105-мм полска гаубица “Круп” образец 1912

Romanian designation :

Obuzierul Krupp, calibrul 105 mm, model 1912

German designation :

10.5cm Haubitze M. 12

Calibre :

105mm L/14

Weight of the barrel :

388 kg

Weight of breech mechanism :

52 kg

Weight in action :

1150 kg

Weight of the limber :

670 kg

Weight in marching order :

1820 kg

Length of the whole howitzer :

4.650 m

Barrel length :

1.470 m

Number of barrel grooves :

32

Shield height:

1.7 m

Battering charge :

1st charge: 155 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

2nd charge: 176 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

3rd charge: 197 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

4th charge: 226 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

5th charge: 267 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

6th charge: 308 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

7th charge: 370 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

8th charge: 420 g of Würfelpulver + 10 g n.Gew.P. 71

            Romanian ammunition

 

H.E. Shell :

14 kg – charge : 2.8 kg Trotyl

H.E. Shrapnel weight :

14 kg – charge : 300 kg Trotyl

400 bullets x 13 g

            German ammunition

 

Shell

weight :

15.7 kg – charge : 900 g Trotyl

max. range :

6500 m

Mine shell

weight :

15.7 kg – charge : 2 kg Trotyl

max. range :

6500 m

H.E. Shell

weight :

15.7 kg – charge : 2.8 kg Trotyl

max. range :

6500 m

Shrapnel

weight :

15.7 kg

fuze :

time and percussion

max. range :

6000 m

Muzzle velocity :

300 m/s (full charge)

173 m/s (lower charge)

Elevation :

+ 43° / - 5°

Traversing angle :

6°

Transport :

drawn by six horses

Ammunition :

limber – 24 shells

Remarks :

Quick firing light field howitzer, with recoil system with hydraulic buffer and springs, single-motion wedge breech mechanism, traverse on pivot. It was equipped with the “Ghenea” pedestal sight, used for direct and indirect laying. It was not fitted for an independent line of sight. In Bulgarian service, it was equipped with panorama sight, bar sight and level. During the World War this howitzer used the same ammunition of the Krupp 105mm QF light howitzer M. 1898/1909. In Bulgarian sources this howitzer is usually called 105-мм полска гаубица “Круп” Рoмънска образец.

 

More pictures from Bucharest and Beograd Military Museum

Many detailed pictures from Beograd could be found here.