15cm SK L/43 Cartridge Casing
15cm cartridge casing for the Krupp 15cm SK L/43 Krupp Kanone M16 (SK - Schnellladungskanone = fast-loading cannon).

To illustrate the size, the casing is photographed with an original Model 1910 Sachsen (Saxon) Officer's Schirmmütze (visor cap) for Artillerie which would have been worn by Sachsen officers in units armed with this weapon.

15cm SK L/43 Cartridge Casing Data:
  • Height - 726mm (28.58 inches)
  • Actual Calibre - 153mm (6.02 inches)
  • Base Diameter - 175mm (6.88 inches)
  • Weight - 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs.)
  • Manufacturer - Fritz Neumeyer
  • Date - August 1918
A close-up of the head stamping on the base. Marked: FN (Fritz Neumeyer cartridge factory) manufactured " AUG 1918". "30" is the lot number of that batch of cases which were made during 1918. Hb27 is the control/inspection mark of the manufacturer Fritz Neumeyer. The absence of a Marine Crown M acceptance stamp combined with the late war date indicates that this cartridge casing never made it to Marine inventory and was used by the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) on the Western Front.
A close up of the primer which has been fired.
 
 
Krupp 15cm M16 Kanone L/43
In 1914 the Artillerieprüfungskommission (Artillery test Commission) ordered Krupp and Rheinmetall to design a 15cm cannon in competition to increase the range and mobility of the 15cm SK L/40 i.R which was a mating of spare 15cm SK L/40 cannons from the Kaiserliche-Marine (Imperial German Navy) cruisers to a wheeled carriage for Army use.

Like many large calibre cannons of the time, the resulting Krupp 15cm M16 Kanone shown above had to be towed by motor transport in two loads due to the weight. The Krupp 15cm M16 Kanone was a significant improvement over the 15cm SK L/40 i.R in range 22.8km (14.16 miles) vs.12.20 km (7.58 miles) and weight of projectile 52.5kg (115 lbs) vs.12.20 km (7.58 miles).

The Krupp 15cm M16 Kanone is recognizable by the bent shield, the extended cradle under the barrel, and the updated steel wheels with holes to decrease weight.

Krupp 15cm M16 Kanone L/43 Data:
  • Weight - 10.14 metric tons (11.17 tons)
  • Range - 22.8 km (14.16 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp
  • Barrel Length - 6.02 metres (19 ft 9 in)
  • Projectile - 52.5kg (115 lbs) High Explosive