France 100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1930 and Model 1933

France
100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1930
100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1933
Updated 29 March 2013

The Model 1930 as a mid-range anti-aircraft gun, replacing some of the unsuccessful 152 mm DP guns on the Richelieu class battleships. Also used on the Heavy Cruiser Algérie. Used an autofretted barrel and a semi-automatic breech mechanism. Loading was by spring-powered rammers. These guns were in a single cradle and fired fixed ammunition.

The Model 1933 was an improved version which did not see service use. Unless otherwise noted, data below is for the Model 1930.

Amidships of Richelieu in 1956 showing her starboard 100 mm/45 battery
ECPA(D), Ft. d'Ivry Photograph

Amidships detail of Heavy Cruiser Algérie showing three of her twin 100 mm mounts
MB Photograph

Gun Characteristics .

Designation	100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1930 100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1933
Ship Class Used On	Model 1930 - Lorraine, Richelieu and Algérie Classes Model 1933 - Elan, Chamois, Le Fier, De Grasse, Clemenceau and Gascogne
Date Of Design	1930
Date In Service	1939
Gun Weight	3,629 lbs. (1,620 kg)
Gun Length oa	N/A
Bore Length	177.2 in (4.500 m)
Rifling Length	N/A
Grooves	N/A
Lands	N/A
Twist	N/A
Chamber Volume	N/A
Rate Of Fire	Theoretical: 16 rounds per minute Practical: 10 rounds per minute

Ammunition .

Type	Fixed
Weight of Complete Round	SAP - 53.2 lbs. (24.2 kg) HE - 50.0 lbs. (22.7 kg) Starshell - N/A
Projectile Types and Weights	SAP - 32.96 lbs. (14.95 kg) HE - 29.7 lbs. (13.5 kg) Starshell - N/A
Bursting Charge	N/A
Projectile Length	N/A - Complete Round 39.8 in (1.011 m)
Propellant Charge	8.6 lbs. (3.9 kg) BM7
Muzzle Velocity	SAP - 2,510 fps (765 mps) HE - 2,559 fps (780 mps) Starshell - N/A
Working Pressure	N/A
Approximate Barrel Life	N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun (see Note 2)	Richelieu - 400 rounds De Grasse - 300 rounds Others - N/A
Notes: 1) Actual French Designations SAP - OPf Mle 1928 HE - OEA Mle 1928 Starshell - OEcl Mle 1928 2) Richelieu carried no more than 10 rounds of SAP per gun as it was considered to be unnecessary given her powerful secondary armament of 152 mm (6") guns.

Range .

Elevation	With 29.7 lbs. (13.5 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 45 degrees	17,388 yards (15,900 m)
AA Ceiling	32,280 feet (10,000 m)
Elevation	With 32.96 lbs. (14.95 kg) SAP Shell
Range @ 45 degrees	17,280 yards (15,800 m)

Mount / Turret Data .

Designation	Twin Mount Lorraine (4), Richelieu (6) and Algérie (6): Model 1931 Elan (1), Chamois (1), Le Fier (2), De Grasse (3), Clemenceau (6) and Gascogne (8): Model 1937
Weight (see Note 2)	Model 1931: 13.3 tons (13.5 mt) Model 1937: 29.3 tons (29.8 mt)
Elevation	Model 1931: -10 / +80 degrees Model 1937: -10 / +90 degrees
Rate of Elevation	N/A
Train	About -80 / +80 degrees
Rate of Train	N/A
Gun Recoil	N/A
Notes: 1) The Model 1931 was open-back and the Model 1930 guns shared a single cradle. Distance between gun axes was 23.6 inches (60 cm). The mountings on Lorraine were removed and installed on Richelieu along with two other moutings from the Niolon Battery near Marseille. 2) The Model 1937 was an enclosed mounting with the Model 1933 guns individually sleeved and did not enter service use. This was originally designed for small minesweeping sloops and had two pusher hoists per gun, one for ASu and one for AA, which turned with the mounting. Weight given above is for the original design which was for small warships and had 4 mm plating. Mountings for the battleships would have had 30 mm plating and larger servo-motors.

Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Battleships: Allied Battleships in World War II" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin, Jr.
"French Battleships: 1922 - 1956" by John Jordan and Robert Dumas
"French Cruisers: 1922 - 1956" by John Jordan and Jean Moulin
"Cruisers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley

Page History

07 October 2006 - Benchmark
29 November 2009 - Added photograph of Richelieu, information on projectiles and Model 1937 Mounting
29 March 2013 - Added ammunition details