France
305 mm/45 (12") Model 1906 and Model 1906-1910
Updated 28 March 2012
The French navy used this gun on the last of their pre-dreadnoughts and on the first of their dreadnought battleships.  Both models are listed as being used as railway ordnance during World War I.

Construction was a complicated built-up design, similar to other French heavy guns.  The two model types were similar, differing in minor constructional details.  Actual bore diameter was 30.5 cm (12.008").
WNFR_94-50_m1902_Danton_pic.jpg

NMN Danton
305 mm (12") guns are in the bow and stern turrets
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 305 mm/45 (12") Model 1906
305 mm/45 (12") Model 1906-1910
Ship Class Used On Model 1906:  Danton class
Model 1910:  Courbet class
Date Of Design 1906/1910
Date In Service 1911/1915
Gun Weight 120,590 lbs. (54,700 kg)
Gun Length oa N/A
Bore Length 535.0 in (13.588 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist Uniform RH 1 in 44
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire about 1.5 - 2 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Bag
Projectile Types and Weights APC - 952 lbs. (432 kg)
HE - 679 lbs. (308 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge AP:  274 lbs. (124.3 kg) BM17
HE:  258.2 lbs. (117.1 kg) BM15
Muzzle Velocity AP:  2,569 fps (783 mps)
HE:  2,969 fps (905 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Notes:

1) Propellant charges were in quarters.

2) As this gun had a steep twist (1 in 44), the shells for it were relatively short.
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Range
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Elevation
With 952 lbs. (432 kg) APC
With 679 lbs. (308 kg) HE
Range @ 23 degrees
28,760 yards (26,300 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation Two-gun Turrets
   Danton (2):  Model 1906
   Courbet (6):  Model 1906-1910
Weight 1,236,793 lbs. (561,000 kg)
Elevation -5 / +23 degrees
Rate of Elevation N/A
Train about +150 / -150 degrees
Rate of Train N/A
Gun Recoil N/A
Loading Angle N/A
Note:  These mountings were all-electric powered with spring run-out.
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Data from
"Battleships and Battlecruisers 1905-1970" by Siegfried Breyer
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"The Big Gun:  Battleship Main Armament 1860-1945" by Peter Hodges
Page History

23 May 2006 - Benchmark
28 March 2012 - Updated to latest template