10cm 04/14 Kanone Cartridge Casing
10cm cartridge casing for the Krupp M04/14 Kanone.

To illustrate the size, the casing is photographed with an original Model 1915 Preußen Mannschaften (Other Ranks) Pickelhaube which would have been worn by soldiers of the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) armed with this cannon after 1915.

10cm 04/14 Kanone Cartridge Casing Data:
  • Height - 505mm (19.88 inches)
  • Actual Calibre - 105mm (4.13 inches)
  • Base Diameter - 129mm (5.07 inches)
  • Weight - 3.6 kg (7.8 lbs.)
  • Manufacturer - Polte Magdeburg
  • Date - September 1915
A close-up of the head stamping on the base. Marked: POLTE MAGDEBURG (cartridge factory) manufactured "SEPT 1915" (September 1915). "250" is the lot number of that batch of cases which were made during 1915. The crown MC3 is the control/inspection mark of the manufacturer Patronenfabrik Polte Magdeburg. "Karth" is an unusual marking which is short for "Kartusche" meaning cartridge (- casing).
 
 
Krupp 10cm Kanone M04 L/30
The 10cm Kanone M04 L/30 is often overlooked when studying the cannons of the Fußartillerie, however it was for some time, the primary long-range cannon and bore the responsibility of suppressing enemy artillery and conducting harassing fire against critical targets such as road junctions and troop concentrations.

The 10cm Kanone M04 L/30 was only the second cannon accepted by the Fußartillerie with a modern recoil system, however, it still lacked the shield for crew protection and was the only Fußartillerie cannon with a vertical sliding breach block. It provided valued service throughout the entire war, even after being superseded by the 10cm Kanone M14. Of interest, the 10cm Kanone M04 and subsequent variants were the only Fußartillerie cannons to use fixed ammunition (one piece containing both projectile and cartridge casing).

Krupp 10cm Kanone M04 L/30 Data:
  • Weight - 2,428 kg (5,353 lbs)
  • Range - 10.39 km (6.46 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp
  • Barrel Length - 4.2 m (13 ft 8 inches)
  • Projectile - 15.0 kg (33.06 lbs) High Explosive (10cm Granate 15)
 
The Gunner in this superb photograph is ready to load the fixed 10cm ammunition. Note the tapered neck of the cartridge casing and the vertical sliding breach block.

Of interest, the gunners are wearing M1907/1910 Fußartillerie Feldrock as the Brandenburg cuffs are clearly visible, however, some have removed their slip-on shoulder straps.
 
Krupp 10cm Kanone M14 L/35

Photo courtesy Brett Butterworth Photo Archives
In 1914 the Artillerieprüfungskommission (Artillery test Commission) ordered Krupp and Rheinmetall to design a 10cm cannon in competition to increase the range and mobility of the 10cm Kanone M04 SK L/30. The Krupp 10cm Kanone M14 L/35 is recognizable by shield and the longer barrel. First delivered in 1915 the 10cm Kanone M14 L/35 Kanone was a significant improvement over the 10cm Kanone M04 L/30 in range 13.10 km (8.13 miles) vs.10.39 km (6.46 miles) utilizing the same 10cm Granate 15 round as its predecessor.

The barrel of this 10cm M14 L/35 Kanone has been rendered inoperable by a burst barrel. Bursting barrels casued by faulty ammunition, barrel fatique, or manufacturing deficiencies resulted in horrendous casualties to the men of the Fußartillerie throughout the war.

Cannon Data:
  • Weight - 2,820 kg (6,217 lbs)
  • Range - 13.10 km (8.13 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp
  • Barrel Length - 4.725 m (15 ft 6 inches)
  • Projectile - 15.0 kg (33.06 lbs) High Explosive (10cm Granate 15)