French
240 mm/50 (9.45") Models 1902 and 1906
Updated 18 November 2005

A complicated built-up design used on early French Battleships.  After those ships were scrapped, the guns were then used as coastal artillery during World War II.  It is believed that some of these guns were also disassembled and their A tubes then used for the 203 mm/55 (8") Model 1931 guns used on the heavy cruiser Algérie.

I have not been able to determine the differences in the Model years, but I suspect that it had to do with the mountings.  Actual bore length was 48.92 calibers.

Some of the APC shells for these guns were converted to aircraft AP bombs.

WNFR_94-50_m1902_Danton_pic.jpg

Battleship Danton
The 240 mm (9.45") guns are in the amidships mountings

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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 240 mm/50 (9.45") Model 1902 and 1906
Ship Class Used On Danton class
Date Of Design 1902 / 1906
Date In Service 1911
Gun Weight 28.94 tons (29.4 mt) including breech mechanism
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length 462.2 in (11.741 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist RH 1 in 57
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire about 2 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Bag
Projectile Types and Weights AP - 485 lbs. (220 kg)
Bursting Charge NA
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge 147.7 lbs. (67 kg) BM15
Muzzle Velocity AP - 2,625 fps (800 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Note:  Aircraft AP bomb weighed 485 lbs. (220 kg).
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Range
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Elevation With 485 lbs. (220 kg) AP Shell
Maximum Range @ 45 degrees 26,040 yards (23,812 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation Twin Turrets
   Danton (6):  Model 1902
Weight  N/A
Elevation -5 / +45 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train about +80 / -80 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A
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Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Navies of the Second World War - The French Navy" by Henri le Masson
and
Tony DiGiulian's personal files