| 3-inch gun M1918 | |
|---|---|
 3-inch M1918 on towed trailer mount | |
| Type | Anti-aircraft gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12,200 lb (5,500 kg) |
| Length | 24 ft 11 in (7.6 m) |
| Barrel length | 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m) 40calibers |
| Width | 6 ft 11 in (2.1 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m)[1] |
| Shell | fixed 76.2 x 585mm R[2] |
| Shell weight | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| Caliber | 3 in (76.2 mm) |
| Breech | Semi-automaticvertical breech block |
| Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Carriage | 4 wheeledcruciform carriage |
| Elevation | +10° to +85° |
| Traverse | 360°[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,400 ft/s (730 m/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 25,800 ft (7.9 km) AA ceiling[1] |
The3-inch gun M1918 was a United States 3-inch anti-aircraft gun that entered service in 1918 and served until it was largely superseded by the3-inch anti-aircraft gun M3 in 1930, though the M1918 remained with someNational Guard units until early in World War II.[3] The M3 was subsequently replaced by theM1 90mm AA gun early inWorld War II, primarily during 1942.[4] The M3 3" gun was later adapted for theanti-tank role, serving as the main armament of theM10 tank destroyer during World War II.
The3-inch gun M1917 was the United States Army's first dedicatedanti-aircraft gun, entering service duringWorld War I. Only a few were built, as the similar3-inch gun M1918 on a mobile mount was considered more useful and was produced in large numbers.
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Development of the M1917 started in 1915, and as the name implies, took two years to enter service. The gun was essentially an unmodified3-inch M1903 (76.2 mm L/55) coastal-defense gun barrel on a new fixed mount allowing it to be aimed to high elevations.[3][5] A number were used during World War I on fixed mountings; 116 were completed by April 1919. Most of the weapons were deployed atUnited States Army Coast Artillery Corps seacoast forts after World War I. In the immediate post-war era it was developed as the3-inch M2, using a removable barrel liner. In 1928 it was further improved in the3-inch M4 by using a thicker removable liner that eased manufacturing. However, the M2 and M4 appear to have been produced in small quantities. The M1917, M2, and M4 remained in service through World War II.[3]
| External images | |
|---|---|
 3-inch M1917.[1] | |
| 3-inch GMC T1/M5.[2] | |
| 3-inch GMC T1/M5.[3] | |
| 3-inch GMC T24.[4] | |
| 3-inch GMC T40/M9.[5] | |
| 3-inch GMC T56.[6] | |
| 3-inch GMC T57.[7] |
For mobile use the original coastal gun was too heavy, so a smaller version was developed as the3-inch M1918. This weapon was based on theDriggs-Seabury3-inch gun M1898, a smaller predecessor of the M1903. This weapon had a barrel 50calibers long instead of 55 calibers, and a smaller breech (200 cubic inches (3.3 L) instead of 296 cubic inches (4.85 L)[6] with a different cartridge (reportedly 76.2x585R instead of 76.2x690R) featuring the maximal propelling charge decreased from |5.62 pounds (2.55 kg) to 4.94 pounds (2.24 kg).[7] The barrel of the M1918 was shortened to 40 calibers and a semi-automatic breech was added.[3] "Semi-automatic" on this type of weapon meant that the breech would open automatically after firing. Like the adaptations that created the M2 and M4, the M1918 was also fitted with a removable liner in 1927 and a barrel 50 calibers long, becoming the3-inch M1; a year later theM3 weapon was introduced with a larger removable liner.[3] Another upgrade was started in 1931 as the T8, and then T9, but these projects were cancelled in 1938 when the 90 mm gun M1 was selected in their place. The 3-inch gun M1918 remained in service, particularly in National Guard units, and saw action in early World War II.[3]
In September 1940 a project started to adapt the 3-inch gun to theanti-tank role, starting with the T9 experimental model but equipping it with the breech, recoil system and carriage borrowed from the105mm M2 howitzer. The gun was accepted for service as the3-inch M5.
A similar derivative of the T9 – the3-inch M6 – was intended to be mounted on the M5 self-propelled gun, which was eventually abandoned. A final adaptation was the3-inch M7, which included minor modifications for mounting on theM6 heavy tank and M10 tank destroyer. M7 saw wide use although it was supplanted to some extent by more powerful weapons such as the90mm M3 and the BritishQF 17 pounder. 6,824 M7 guns were manufactured.[8]
The only known surviving example is located at theFort Sill,Oklahoma, museum.
