7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.

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7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.
Weapon: 7.7 cm FK 96 n.A.
Type: Heavy Cannon
Country of Origin: Germany
Year Adopted: 1916
Caliber: 77x234mmR
Action: Breech-Loading Cannon
Overall Length (mm): 2290.0
Weight (kg): 1020.00
Effective Range (m): 7800

The 7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art (FK 96 n.A.) was a German field gun developed as an upgraded version of the older FK 96. Introduced in 1904, the FK 96 n.A. featured significant improvements, including a modern hydro-pneumatic recoil system that allowed the gun to remain in position after firing, eliminating the need for realignment between shots. It retained the 77 mm caliber and fired high-explosive, shrapnel, and gas shells, making it an effective weapon for various battlefield roles. Mounted on a two-wheeled carriage, the gun had a relatively high rate of fire and was used for both direct and indirect fire support.

The FK 96 n.A. was mass-produced by Krupp and Rheinmetall, becoming the standard field gun of the German Army at the outbreak of World War I. By 1914, it was one of the most widely used artillery pieces in the German arsenal, with thousands in service. However, as trench warfare evolved and longer-range artillery became necessary, the FK 96 n.A. was increasingly seen as outdated. By 1916, it was gradually supplemented and then replaced by the more advanced 7.7 cm FK 16, which had a longer barrel and improved range. Despite this, many FK 96 n.A. guns remained in service throughout the war and were later used by various nations as war reparations.

The FK 96 n.A. gained notoriety for its widespread use in the early battles of World War I, including the German invasion of Belgium and France. While initially effective against enemy infantry and fortifications, its relatively short range became a liability as the war transitioned to static trench warfare. Nonetheless, it remained an iconic weapon of the Imperial German Army and played a significant role in the early artillery tactics of the war. Today, surviving examples of the FK 96 n.A. can be found in military museums, serving as a testament to early 20th-century artillery innovation.


Related Weapons: 8.8 cm Pak 43 10 cm Nebelwerfer 35 28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 3.7 cm TAK 1918 Krupp C64 7.7 cm FK 16

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