7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.)
Manöver Patronenhülse (Manoeuvre Cartridge Casing)
7,7cm Manöver Patronenhülse (manoeuvre blank cartridge casing) for the Krupp leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K. = light field cannon) To illustrate the size, the casing is photographed with an original Model 1871 Preußen Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) Eigetumsstück (privately purchased) Pickelhaube for an Unteroffizier mit Portepee (The two highest rank of NCO, who were entitled to wear the Officer's sword knot).

7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.) Manöver Patronenhülse Cartridge Casing Data:
  • Height - 100mm (3.93 inches)
  • Actual Calibre - 7,7cm (3.03 inches)
  • Base Diameter - 90mm (3.54 inches)
  • Weight - .6 kg (1.20 lbs.)
  • Manufacturer - Polte Magdeburg
  • Date - June 1898
A close-up of the head stamping on the base. Marked: POLTE MAGDEBURG (cartridge factory) manufactured "JUNI 1898" (June 1898). "23" is the lot number of that batch of cases which were made during 1898. The crown + "12" is the control/inspection mark at that time for the manufacturer Patronenfabrik Polte Magdeburg.
The service cartridge casing for the 7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.) 96 a/A (Alter Art = old model) separate ammunition (projectile loaded then followed by the cartridge casing) at 132mm (5.19 inches) was considerably shorter than the 227mm (8.93 inches) fixed-ammunition cartridge casing used in the 7,7cm l.F.K. 96 n/A (neuer Art = new model).

This close-up shows a rare view of a 7,7cm cartridge casing for the Krupp leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K. = light field cannon) a/A being readied for loading by the kneeling Kanonier (Gunner).
 
7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.) 96 a/A
The 7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.) 96 a/A was a light field cannon adopted by the Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) in 1896. It was a conventional cannon, being a (slightly) modernized version of Krupp's leichte Feld Kanone 73. Unfortunately, it did not incorporate an effective recoil system other than the spade, requiring the cannon to be re-aimed after every round. In 1897 the French Army introduced their famous Canon de 75 modèle which immediately rendered the 7,7cm l.F.K.96 obsolete in all critical areas, such as rate of fire, accuracy, range, and protection as the 7,7cm l.F.K.96 had no shield. This led to an frantic re-arming of the Feldartillerie to a modern field cannon, which although different in every respect other than the calibre, was cleverly named the 7,7cm l.F.K. 96 n/A (neuer Art = new model).

One important difference was that the 7,7cm l.F.K.96 a/A utilized separate ammunition where after the projectile was rammed home, a brass cartridge casing containing a set amount of propellant and the primer was inserted.

7,7cm leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K.) a/A Data:

  • Weight - 919 kg (2,030 lbs)
  • Range - 4.57 km (2.84 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp
  • Barrel Length - 2.15m (7 ft 1 inch)
  • Projectile - 6.53 kg (14.4 lbs) High Explosive
A commercial postcard with a rare view of a 7,7cm cartridge casing for the Krupp leichte Feld Kanone (l.F.K. = light field cannon) being readied for loading by the kneeling Kanonier (Gunner). These cannons are immediately recognizable as 7,7cm l.F.K. 96 a/A as the barrels are slightly flared and there are seats for two crew with no shield. It appears that the officers with the crew are Army observers as they are wearing spiked Pickelhauben.