French
130 mm/40 (5.1") Model 1924
Updated 16 May 2006

An improved version of the 130 mm (5.1") Model 1919 with an autofretted barrel.  Fired QF ammunition but still used a Welin breech-block.  Used the same ammunition as did the earlier weapon, but its slightly lower maximum elevation gave it a shorter range.
WNFR_51-40_m1924_Boulonnais_pic.jpg

Destroyer Boulonnais (1,500 tonnes class) in June 1939
M. Bar photograph

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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 130 mm/40 (5.1") Model 1924
Ship Class Used On L'Alcyon (1,500 tonnes) class
Date Of Design 1924
Date In Service 1927
Gun Weight 3.75 tons (3.81 mt)
Gun Length oa 212.1 in (5.387 m)
Bore Length 204.7 in (5.200 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 5 - 6 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Separate
Projectile Types and Weights
(see Note)
HE - 76.83 lbs. (34.85 kg)
SAP - 70.4 lbs. (32 kg)
Bursting Charge SAP - about 4 lbs. (1.8 kg)
HE - about 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
Projectile Length about 25.6 in (65 cm)
Propellant Charge 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) BM9
Cartridge - 38.6 lbs. (17.5 kg)
Muzzle Velocity 2,379 fps (725 mps)
Working Pressure 16.3 tons/in2 (2,570 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Note:  There were several types of SAP shells issued.  The figure above represents an average weight of these projectiles.
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Range
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Elevation With 76.83 lbs. (34.85 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 35 degrees 20,450 yards (18,700 m)
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Armor Penetration with 70.4 lbs. (32 kg) SAP shell
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Range 
Side Armor
Deck Armor
10,936 yards (10,000 m)
3.15" (80 mm)
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Note:  Data from "Destroyers of World War Two."
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation Single Splinter Shielded Mounts
   L'Alcyon (4)
Weight 12.5 tons (12.7 mt)
Elevation -10 / +35 degrees
Rate of Elevation Manually operated, only
Train about +150 / -150 degrees
Rate of Train Manually operated, only
Gun Recoil 18 in (45 cm)
Loading Angle Any (see note)
Note:  Unlike the Model 1919, this weapon used a spring-powered rammer, but angles over 15 degrees made for difficult loading.
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Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Destroyers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley