Italian
152 mm/55 (6") Models 1934 and 1936
Updated 21 September 2008
A good anti-destroyer weapon, this was the secondary gun on the Littorio class battleships and the main gun on the Garibaldi class (5th "Condottieri") light cruisers.  The only difference between these models was the manufacturer, with Ansaldo building the Model 1934 and OTO the Model 1936.

These guns were a significant improvement from earlier 152 mm (6") guns in that they were more widely spaced, were separately sleeved and had a lower and more reasonable muzzle velocity from the beginning.  The increase in length from the previous weapons was in attempt to obtain improved thermodynamic performance.  Whatever the reason, these new guns did prove to be the most accurate of all the Italian 152 mm (6") guns in service during World War II.

Historical note:  These cruisers were named after famous leaders ("Condottieri") of mercenary bands in Renaissance Italy.
WNIT_6-55_m1936_Duca_degli_Abruzzi_pic.jpg

Light Cruiser Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi
(Name was usually shortened to just "Abruzzi")
Picture copyrighted by M.J. Whitley
WNIT_6-55_m1936_Duca_degli_Abruzzi_speed_pic.jpg

Nice picture of Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi at speed
Marina Militare Photograph
WNIT_6-55_m1936_Duca_degli_Abruzzi_firing_pic.jpg

Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi firing her guns in the post-war period
Marina Militare Photograph
WNIT_6-55_m1936_Giuseppe_Garibaldi_gun_pic.jpg

Giuseppe Garibaldi having a 152 mm gun removed in the late 1950s during her conversion to a missile cruiser
Marina Militare Photograph
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 152 mm/55 (6") Models 1934 and 1936
Ship Class Used On Littorio and Garibaldi classes
Date Of Design 1934 / 1936
Date In Service 1940
Gun Weight 8.9 tons (9,689 kg)
Gun Length oa about 348 in (8.840 m)
Bore Length 330.0 in (8.382 m)
Rifling Length 287.4 in (7.301 m)
Grooves 40
Lands N/A
Twist Uniform RH 1 in 30
Chamber Volume 1,537 in3 (25.19 dm3)
Rate Of Fire 4 - 5 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Separate
Projectile Types and Weights AP - 110 lbs. (50 kg)
HE - 97.9 lbs. (44.4 kg)
Bursting Charge AP - 2.05 lbs. (1.0 kg)
HE - 5.18 lbs. (2.3 kg)
Projectile Length AP - 24.8 in (63.0 cm)
HE - N/A
Propellant Charge 36.05 lbs. (16.35 kg)
Muzzle Velocity AP - 2,986 fps (910 mps)
HE - 3,100 fps (945 mps)
Working Pressure 20.8 tons/in2 (3,270 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Note:  New gun MV for HE was 3,133 fps (995 mps).
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Range
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Elevation With 110 lbs. (50 kg) AP shell With 97.9 lbs. (44.4 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 45 degrees 28,150 yards (25,740 m) 27,231 yards (24,900 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation Two-gun Turrets
Garibaldi (2):  Model 1934

Three-gun Turrets
   Littorio (4) and Garibaldi (2):  Model 1934
   Vittorio Veneto (4) and Roma (4):  Model 1936
Weight  Twin:  N/A
Triple:  133.3 tons (135.4 mt) [not including shield]
Elevation -5 / +45 degrees
Elevation Rate N/A
Train about +120 / -120 degrees
Train Rate N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Loading Angle -5 to +20 degrees
Notes:

1) These mountings were electrically powered training and elevation.  Rammers were pneumatically powered.

2) In the twin mountings, each gun had separate shell and cartridge endless chain hoists.  These ended below the gun house and ammunition was transferred to the loading trays by swinging arms which pivoted about the trunnions.

3) In the three-gun mountings there were upper and lower endless chain hoists for each gun.

4) The gun axes were about 50 in (126 cm) apart for both the two-gun and three-gun mountings.
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Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Italian Warships of World War II" by Aldo Fraccaroli
"Anatomy of the Ship:  The Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni" by Franco Gay and Valerio Gay
"Cruisers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley
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