Italy
102 mm/45 (4") Schneider-Armstrong Models 1917 and 1919
---
102 mm/45 (4") Schneider-Canet Model 1917
Updated 26 December 2013
The Schneider-Armstrong Model 1917 was virtually a copy of the British 4"/45 (10.2 cm) Mark V, one of which (No. 974) was supplied to Italy during World War I to be used as a pattern.  Model 1919 was an unsuccessful use of this weapon in a twin mounting which was replaced by single mountings during the war.  Some guns used vertical rather than the standard horizontal sliding breech block.

The Schneider-Canet Model 1917 was a very similar design but in a different single mounting.

Some of these guns were remounted on AA mountings during the interwar period.
WNIT_4-45_m1917_Giovanni_Acerbi_pic.jpg

Torpedo Boat Giovanni Acerbi
IWM Photograph Q 48310
WNIT_4-45_m1917_exploded_pic.jpg

102 mm/45 that exploded in August 1927 during test shoots
Image courtesy of Museo Tecnico Navale della Spezia
.
Gun Characteristics
.
Designation 102 mm/45 (4") Schneider-Armstrong Model 1917 and 1919

102 mm/45 (4") Schneider-Canet Model 1917
Ship Class Used On S-A Model 1917:  "Generali," Palestro, La Masa and Sirtori classes plus small auxiliaries

S-A Model 1919:  Curtalone class

S-C Model 1917:  Mirabello class
Date Of Design British:  About 1913
Italian:  1917
Date In Service 1917
Gun Weight 2.364 tons (2.327 mt)
Gun Length oa 187.8 in (4.770 m)
Bore Length 180.0 in (4.572 m)
Rifling Length 149.7 in (3.803 m)
Grooves (32) 0.037 in deep x 0.27 in (0.94 mm x 6.86 mm)
Lands 0.1227 in (3.117 mm)
Twist Uniform RH 1 in 30
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire 7 rounds per minute
Note:  The ROF figure comes from "Italian Warships of World War II."  However, the British version of this weapon is generally credited with a ROF of 10 - 12 rounds per minute.
.
Ammunition
.
Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round AP - N/A
HE - N/A
Projectile Types and Weights AP - 35.3 lbs. (16 kg)
HE - 30.3 lbs. (13.74 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge N/A
Muzzle Velocity 2,789 fps (850 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
Note:  These Italian guns had a higher muzzle velocity than did the British ones, suggesting that a greater working pressure was permitted.
.
Range
.
Elevation With 30.3 lbs. (13.74 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 35 degrees 16,400 yards (15,000 m)
.
Mount / Turret Data
.
Designation S-A Model 1917:  Single open mount
S-A Model 1919:  Twin mount
S-C Model 1917:  Single open mount

Model 1936 AA mounting
Weight  S-A Model 1917:  4.53 tons (4.6 mt)
S-A Model 1919:  9.84 tons (10 mt)
S-C Model 1917:  N/A

Model 1936 AA mounting:  N/A
Elevation S-A Model 1917:  -5 / +35 degrees
S-A Model 1919:  -5 / +35 degrees
S-C Model 1917:  -5 / +30 degrees

Model 1936 AA mounting:  -5 / +85 degrees
Elevation Rate Manually operated, only
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate Manually operated, only
Gun recoil N/A
.
Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Italian Warships of World War II" by Aldo Fraccaroli
Page History

31 January 2008 - Benchmark
25 January 2010 - Updated picture
23 September 2012 - Added picture of museum gun
26 December 2013 - Added picture of Giovanni Acerbi