French 75mm of 1897
Ғылым және технология
The French 75 is widely regarded as the first modern artillery piece. It was the first field gun to include a hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism, which kept the gun's trail and wheels perfectly still during the firing sequence. Since it did not need to be re-aimed after each shot, the crew could reload and fire as soon as the barrel returned to its resting position. In typical use the French 75 could deliver fifteen rounds per minute on its target, either shrapnel or high-explosive, up to about 8,500 m (5.3 mi) away. Its firing rate could even reach close to 30 rounds per minute, albeit only for a very short time and with a highly experienced crew. [wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_d...]
The concept for the gun anticipated future conflict being a war of manoeuver - with massed infantry and cavalry attacks - based on the experience of the wars of 1870-1872. Consequently the gun was designed to be able to be moved easily, set up quickly and fire antipersonnel shells (shrapnel) rapidly, and without the need to reset the carriage after each shot. Two critical components were the cased ammunition (shell and cartridge as a single unit) and a recoil system that completely absorbed the recoil forces and returned the gun to its original position without disturbing the gun’s position.
This animation shows the actions necessary to prepare the gun from its 'travelling' state to operational state. The carriage has to be ‘locked’ into a fixed position and levelled. The operation of shrapnel shells depends upon setting a time fuse to explode the shell just in front of an attacking force, to shower them with balls, and demonstrates the French Débouchoir mechanical fuse setter that allowed time fuses to be set rapidly and accurately. The liquid(oil) and air (pneumatic) recoil mechanism used a ‘floating piston’ - on one side hydraulic oil and on the other compressed air. The design must keep these two separated while allowing the free piston to move rapidly. The French design laid great emphasis on seals made of silver - being soft enough to conform to the sleeve housing, but as reported by the US when they started manufacturing the 75mm, the key element was highly precise machining of the sleeve housing the free piston.
The French 75mm of 1897 was of less use with the introduction of trench warfare, where Howitzers and mortars being the primary artillery, but the 75mm retained some value, one use being firing shrapnel shells at aircraft. A longer time fuse had to be developed to reach the altitude that some aircraft flew at.
Music: Light Expanse by Unicorn Heads
Model and animation created with Cinema 4D
Primary Source: Atlas of Lithographs of the Canon de 75 Mle 1897
gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6...
Other sources:
Ralph Lovett, Lovett Artillery Collection, www.lovettartillery.com/
Passion and Compassion: WW1 Fuzes Galleries. www.passioncompassion1418.com.
With Thanks to:
Erik Grumman
Philip Magrath, Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson
Ralph Lovett, Lovett Artillery Collection
Пікірлер: 558
This is really an amazing master-class in how to make a military tool, especially in 1897: Everything is an integrated system, down to the smallest level; all but the most major of maintenance tasks can be done by the crew, not simply in the field, but in a forward firing position; and everything was already laid out at the time it entered service. It really is an engineering masterpiece.
@vbbsmyt
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Rob
@guaporeturns9472
Жыл бұрын
@@vbbsmyt 😂😂😂😂
@gonzinahuel4886
11 ай бұрын
Napoleon would be proud
@deck614
11 ай бұрын
@@gonzinahuel4886 Napoleon had the Gribauval, which was not bad either regarding integrated devices... With black powder, of course.
A christmas gift for sure! What a detailed piece of art
@among_us_is_an_imposter5784
2 жыл бұрын
I saw this in the french army museum
As a french man I knew the French 75mm was the best gun of its time. Now I know the reason why! THANK YOU! ! !
@Nullpo08
Жыл бұрын
原発の是非を語るならば少なくともEV推奨は出来なくなるのに日本っておかしい国ですよね。
@memtrue5926
8 ай бұрын
😮😮😮😮😅😊
@t72b35
8 ай бұрын
Viva la France!!! From South Korea
@stanoivan5494
6 ай бұрын
I don't like weapons, especially against people. However I like technical solutions. It is awesome, the masterpiece of French engineers at the end of 19th century. Greetings from Slovakia.
@mahbriggs
4 ай бұрын
The hydraulic/compressed air recoil system was what made it truly revolutionary! Everyone either purchased the gun for themselves or copied it! It quite literly changed field artillery forever!
This is an amazing video! Would love to work with you on some videos in the future!!
@vbbsmyt
2 жыл бұрын
Hmm.... very tempting
@_Matsimus_
2 жыл бұрын
@@vbbsmyt lol. Your call. I can do commission with you?
@donflamingo795
2 жыл бұрын
Woah Matsimus is here
@vbbsmyt
2 жыл бұрын
@matsimus: I tried to email you directly. Did you receive it?
@royrached6668
2 жыл бұрын
plz make a game out of this gun, it will be very fun to play with
“Babe, wake up. New French 75mm 1875 lore just dropped.”
A real engineering masterpiece, expecially if you think that only 30yrs before most of the guns were muzzle loading ones! Great researce work!
@jefreyjefrey6349
10 ай бұрын
not really. many parts broke and were hard to replace. later they used that gun by hammering copper bolts into into most used gears and places. leveling it by digging or adding the soil. those guns were very expensive and over engineered tech, with the gun failed to function after first 20 shots.
@Balrog2005
9 ай бұрын
@@jefreyjefrey6349 What the hell are you talking about... this gun was used 70 years (even as a anti air piece and in ships, tanks, fortifications...) without any major modification a part putting road wheells for mechanical tactions by trucks or military tractors...
@mahbriggs
4 ай бұрын
Even the early breach loaders were little improvements on the bteach loaders, this gun was truly revolutionary!
@mahbriggs
4 ай бұрын
@@jefreyjefrey6349 That is why every one wanted one! Either by purchase or copying it!🙄 This gun was the envy of the world!
@alessiodecarolis
4 ай бұрын
@@Balrog2005 The germans, after 1940, captured some, they were used in fortifications as improvised AT guns, they employed, logically, an hollow charge, lacking the high velocity necessary for normal AT rounds.
If you look at it from the front, it looks like a ww2 era gun, the wheels are straight 1600s technology and the breech is exactly what you would expect to find on a high tech artillery piece from 1897, I love it.
@WalrusJones185
9 ай бұрын
Look at the gun on the M3 GMC, its literally this. Replace the screw on breach for a more modern breachblock and lengthen the barrel and you get the 75mm M3.
@samarkand1585
6 ай бұрын
@@WalrusJones185just like the American Long Tom is directly based from the French 155mm GPF
@philgiglio7922
5 ай бұрын
The gas vent tube in the breech tells me that obturation wasn't complete
Absolutely incredible level of detail - essential in the study and understanding of engineering ideas and manufacturing practices from over a century ago. I know of no faster way one can study and understand the workings of such a machine. Bravo.
5:00 that you took the time and accuracy to not only depict the "original" flame front in that powder helix. but also the second AND THIRD flame front is the highest testimony of how accurate you depict those machines. Absolutely marvelous.
@vbbsmyt
4 ай бұрын
Glad you noticed. Thanks. R
@andresmartinezramos7513
3 ай бұрын
That was a very nice touch
I've always wondered about the intracacies of the 75's recoil system. I had no idea that the recuperator was adjustable, or that they had relatively easy methods to "recharge" the hydro-pneumatic system in the field. Thank you again for the CAD work!!!
@afx935
2 жыл бұрын
Recharging the compressed nitrogen was not so easy in the field as it was under considerable pressure, but the hydraulic fluid is designed to leak. The video does not show it, but there is a small slit on the trail just outside the breach, and ws about and inch to and inch and half by 1/8" wide. The oil would leak onto the trail, and then down on to the abatage bare underneath to keep it oiled.
@brennerheavy
2 жыл бұрын
@@afx935 thank you for that info!
@AlexG-xl1cc
2 жыл бұрын
Why would you need to have the fluid leaked out and recharged, I thought it was all supposed to be self contained? And why would you need to adjust the recuperative why not just have 1 standard setting that works.
@brennerheavy
2 жыл бұрын
@@AlexG-xl1cc Alex, almost all weapons that have recoil-actuated mechanisms have adjustability in the field (ie adjustable gas blocks on both semi-auto and full auto rifles). It accounts for dirt/grime blockages in fluid passageways. As the blockages fill up the passageways, you can adjust for a greater fluid flow to restore the correct cycle of the recoil. The pressure systems of the WW1 era were all prone to leakagez especially at elevated pressure like the 75. Keep in mind that synthetic rubber was only pioneered by IG Farben 30 years later, so many systems relied on leather sealing-rings, or very tight mechanical fits (vs the rubber cup-style seals that we use on hydraulic pistons today).
For a more than a century old piece, it still works like a modern artillery, this thing must have been like a future space magic when it was first deployed.
@redwarrior69340
2 жыл бұрын
the best of the best !
@polygonalfortress
Жыл бұрын
It's alien technology compared to the old muzzle loaded cannons it's fascinating to so how fast technology progressed
@neurofiedyamato8763
Жыл бұрын
It was considered the most advanced artillery piece at the time. Its primary downfall was that its relative flat trajectory was ill suited for trench warfare during WW1. It would remain in use even during WW2 though. Its an excellent gun.
@arya31ful
Жыл бұрын
@@neurofiedyamato8763 I think another one of its weakness is its slower interrupted breech mechanism which are redundant considering that this gun fire cased shells that have little risk of gas escaping backwards. Another interesting bits about it is its shell were used by Sherman tank guns, which i think makes it feels like the Shermans were using modernized versions of this gun.
@uisce_
Жыл бұрын
@@neurofiedyamato8763what is the name of the 75mm?
My grandpa was in artillery during WWI and used it during that time . He was wounded twice and after was a messenger using motorcycle. Thank you for this amazing video !
Rob, this is superb as always. I'm really glad that we could help.
Magnifique travail. Une clarté, une précision et une simplicité dans l'explication du fonctionnement de ce qui fut sans doute le meilleur canon du champ de bataille durant cette terrible première guerre mondiale. Un grand bravo de la part d'un artilleur français des années 80.
@juanasanelli6831
2 жыл бұрын
Cañón Canet
That is an incredible piece of work, thank you very much
Man this thing is super advanced for being built in 1897
The real first step into true industrialized warfare was this gun. Able to dominate any stretch of ground they could be brought to bear on, it forced the Germans to dig in as they learned quickly that their attacks would be met with furious, rapid, and unbelievably accurate shelling so it was best to stay just out of range until there was a clear reason to attack. Once they dug in, their machineguns became a dominant part of their defence and incredibly effective against the regular, near-mindless charges of the Allies. It was just a matter of... well, months and literally millions of dead young men, for Trench Warfare as we really recognize it, to get going. That nightmare on the Western front was not really repeated elsewhere simply because no one else had the numbers of or availability of this bleeding-edge piece of modern machining. Some of the other fighting nations didn't even have rifles, much less artillery worth the name. Great model and video of its workings, cheers.
@canon-de-75
2 жыл бұрын
Best one of this comment section. Heartwarming to be appreciated as the best 19th century field gun for once!
@albireoselous
2 жыл бұрын
This is by far one of the most oversimplified and because of that just plain WRONG comments I've read under such a nice video.
@8bitarmory846
2 жыл бұрын
@@albireoselous care to elaborate?
@faithnfire4769
2 жыл бұрын
@@8bitarmory846 A counterpoint might be that in the arena of trench warfare, this particular gun become almost completely obsolete. Rather than being the cause of trench warfare, which may perhaps be better placed on modern machineguns and barbed wire fronted entrenchments, this field gun may be regarded as one of it's victims. While revolutionary, it was created to early, too small, too low range, and without the considerations needed to really threaten aircraft or entrenched troops on the western front. It's type was repeated in many other armies, and to much greater success when they could be used in more appropriate environments. Fascinating video on it nonetheless.
@pougetguillaume4632
Жыл бұрын
@@faithnfire4769 this gun was 90% of what the french used, if it became "obsolete" then why were the french threatening at all? Why did the british stall at the somme while the french front progressed in the same battle? Were the french exceptional fighters? Absolutely not Thank you for your 0/10 refutal mr internet expert. it may be small but its ease of maintenance and production is exactly the advantage that made it the n°1 french gun, a shell is a shell and you need lots of them. Perhaps you think the sherman is a trash tank compared to tiger or panther? Because ease of logistics and manufacturing is precisely the sherman's advantage despite being smaller than its peers.
Great presentation Rob! Enjoyed that thoroughly! So many things explained so well!
@vbbsmyt
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you
My Grandfather was a US artillery Officer Captain in the 123rd FA converted from an Infantry unit. 3 Batteries of French 75 one battery of the 155 Schneider Howitzers. I still have battle maps and the US translations of the French service manuals. 3 times they had to shoot Germans off the gun shields with the 1903 Springfields they refused to turn in for 1917 Enfield's. Beside gun line duties he was regimental adjutant and Brigade Fire Control officer. Thank you for the fine presentation with so much accurate detail.
Je n'imaginais pas un tel niveau de technologie en 1897, cette superbe animation en révèle tous les détails.
As usual, breath taking work of quality and accuracy, a flak 88 gun or a 105 gun of the Centurion tank will require an entire playlist. Bravo !!!
Incredible video as always. You can tell how much work went into this, and I'm sure it is 5 times more work than I think it is. Thank you and have a great 2022.
Great video! This video is the best tool I have ever seen explaining the functions of the "Soixante-Quinze". The only thing missing is more on the different types of ammunition and fuzes. Great stuff! Well done!
The French Army deployed 4000 of these remarkable guns in the Battle on the Marne in Aug/September 1914. The Germans called them " black butchers" and were a major contributor to the French victory....and to the withdrawal of the German Army across the Marne. I believe these guns could fire 6 x 75mm rounds a minute......excellent quality video. Les Griffiths
@victor6814
9 ай бұрын
Can shot 20 shells/ minute if the crewmans are drilled.
Огромное спасибо за анимацию, очень интересно и познавательно!
The clearest and most detailed explanation I've seen. Excellent work!
As an Artillery man I wondered why they said this was a great bit of kit during WW1…… makes our 13pdr a bit rudimentary 😎…..great vid..cheers💪🏼
Большое спасибо из Сибири! Thank you very much from Siberia!
Excellent video. I was making French 75's ( the cocktail) for my wife and I with the leftover champange from New Years. This was a great way to show her the awesome engineering of that legendary piece.
These are some of the most fascinating videos I found on KZread. Honestly you do some amazing work. Thank you for sharing with us.
Dad was in the artillery (82nd?) at Ft. Bennning Pre-WWII. During a demonstration before the bigwigs, one of these ran over his foot. He had to grin and bear it until the day was done. Pictures in the Sunday Atlanta Journal & Constitution show the parade and there he is, broken foot and all, riding ramrod straight. I still have his horseback marksmanship medal somewhere.
Beautiful work.
Finally, this is first time someone show us time delay fuse. :) I was looking after that for week now.
Very interesting. My grandfather was trained as a gun crew member for the French 75mm and was among the first U.S. to go to France in 1917. All I knew about the guns was a little film of it in action and some still photos I have seen. This really fills in a lot of gaps.
👍👌😍 MAGNIFIQUE VIDÉO 🤗 UN GRAND BRAVO POUR VOTRE TRAVAILLE , ET UNE PENSÉ POUR TOUT CES GLORIEUX SOLDATS MORT POUR NOTRE PATRIE 😢 NOUS NE LES OUBLIRONS JAMAIS ❤ VIVE LA FRANCE !!
Holy crap this channel gets me everytime! As a mechanically inclined former tank commander, I am in love with your videos!
You've been uploading 3D weapon videos since the dawn of KZread. What a treasure!
A testament to the French designers and engineers and the time and effort they put in to work out all the details, and then put it all together, which is why France is one of the most inventive and innovative military powers.
The cannon, that changed warfare as no one before...
Mesmerizing video; sound and image alike. This is high level work man, superbly done. Thank you for these 15 minutes of paradise.
Mon grand père quand il parlait de "notre 75" , c'était toujours avec une grande fierté . Et les explications qu'il a pu me donner du temps de ma jeunesse sont largement complétées par cette superbe vidéo. Merci.
I know this is an old post but had to comment. I just randomly came across the channel while randomly watching you tube and it's absolutely brilliant. Well put together and showed me a lit I actually never knew about not just this gun but how it works across other systems I suppose even today. Thank you.
The attention to detail is unbelievable. Amazing work!
Absolutely in love with this style of breach, only ever seen it elsewhere on the m3 mgmc 75mm, confused and a little upset that we didn’t see this design more often :(
Thank you for this wonderfully informative and detailed video on the ubiquitous French 75 used everywhere on both sides during both world wars! I look forward to your projects in 2022
A very big thank you for the description of the fuze time setting device!!! At last i understand how it works.
Videos of this nature fully explain the interrelationship of many individual systems and the parts they play. Bravo!
Superb ! Thank you for showing the more intricate ways of a field gun !
Brilliant. Visual rendering helps so much to understand these mechanisms .
I remember firing this gun back in '98, good old days
The adjustable powder train 'Debuchoir' system is so well thought out - like the rest of the gun. The first system to put everything together.
As usual, top video, very detailed and above all extremely instructive.
Thanks for this amazing video. The quality and explanation of the mechanisms is the one of a top video. Greetings from Argentina
уже третий раз смотрю это видео.и нет предела моему восхищению французским оружейникам
Amazing! Being a technical writer, I often struggle to unearth the correct CAD models for the equipment I'm working on. Remodelling from scratch is an interesting option.
Excellent illustration thanks for showing this fine artillery piece.
Brilliant illustrations, complete explanations with a single verbal cue. Enjoyed and informed. Some high level machining for the day and a brilliant design. Well done by the French and an advanced design!
I've seen films of these in use and wondered about their engineering. Thanks for solving the mystery.
Have some of them as decoration in my regiment. Really interesting to see a so detailed and complete video about his mechanics. Thank you very much !
Absolutely incredible piece of manufacturing for the time, I cannot fathom the hours of skilled and semi-skilled labor that went into each cannon, awesome video, I cannot imagine the hours that went into this. Thank you for expanding my appreciation of the french 75
Superb, you probably did a full operations package of the French 75. Gun laying, fuse adjustment, etc. I am no expert of course. I cannot say if it was complete.
What a superb rendition! You have exceeded yourself with this one. My new favourite after the Lewis gun. No wonder the French 75 was the standard all others aspired to - it’s a masterpiece of simple and effective design. 👍🏻
Absolutely outstanding!! The best video of it's type I have ever seen! Bravo!!
Это лучшее, что есть на ютубе. Респект.
Such genius design for more then 100 years ago, I can't hit the like often enough
such an astonishing detailed breakdown of this excellent pathfinder thank you very much
I knew that this gun is a fine piece of engineering and you allowed me to understand how good it is.
Iconic ordnance. Nice presentation. Thanks for posting.
French 75 mm cannon = the gold standard
Excellent. Thank You. One of the most influential/revolutionary weopons in modern warfare.
"Time for some Gun Lore"
Wow! great video. I salute to your hard work to put every single detail in this video. Thanks alot for your video.
that fuse system is fascinating! thanks for the animation vbbsmyt!
In my opinion, the french 75 is one of the sexiest field artillery guns ever made
Very nice work, greetings from Spain, happy Christmas and in one day after this happy new year.
Amazing! Thank you for this video.
Absolutely first class, outstanding work
Well there's the answer as to why you've been quiet for a while. Brilliant work. Have a great 2022
Rob this is outstanding work you are a true gem to society
Man this channel is highly underrated
Brilliant video. Thanks.
Mes félicitation! Pour votre travail incroyable, les détails du formidable et emblématique canon de 75 mm, avec les salutations de France!
Superb work, one of muy favorites guns. Thanks
ONE OF THE BEST TO TEACH ARTILLERY SYSTEMS.CONGRATULATIONS
Le fameux canon!
Magnifique présentation, un canon génial 👍👍👍
extremely good 3D-CaD demonstration how a gun with a hydropneumatic recoil system and shrapnell shells are working.
What a brilliant piece of kit.
Just wanted to say this is so cool! i really enjoyed seeing how this was broken down and i think the mechanism behind it is genius. Thank you for researching and sharing this rob!
@vbbsmyt
2 жыл бұрын
Archie, glad you liked it.
Hope to see howitzers in the future. Great work as always
@keithmoore5306
2 жыл бұрын
the M1A1 pack 75mm and the flak 88 would be damn good!!
@billwilson7841
2 жыл бұрын
@@keithmoore5306 Flak 88 would be cool - or the 40mm Bofors
@keithmoore5306
2 жыл бұрын
@@billwilson7841 he;s already done the Bofors! maybe six months or so back!
Genuinely beautiful animation
Unusual breech mechanism. Combine sliding block with screw. Interesting timer too. Amazing animation.
Brawo jak na tamte lata inżynieria na najwyższym poziomie szacun pozdrawiam❤
Another great one. Thanks.
This video is a 10 in terms of describing a military machine. Bravo for the level of detail! Also note the amazing systems that had 100 years ago, for example with the fuse. Today, the electronics have changed a lot of things!
I helped refurbish one of those when I worked at the Museum on Fort Lewis. Had to replace the wooden wheels and sand blast repaint.
Genius,I live for these vids :)
Incredible amount of details 😯 A fantastic job 👍
Wow thanks! I can’t wait to build this at home!
That was bloody magnificent