8-inch gun M1

8-inch gun M1
8-inch gun at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, Fort Sill, OK
TypeHeavy gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States
United Kingdom
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1939–1942
Produced1942–1945
Specifications
MassCombat: 69,300 lb (31,400 kg)
Barrel length33 ft 4 in (10.16 m) L/50

Shellseparate-loading, bagged charge
Caliber203 mm (8.0 in)
BreechInterrupted screw
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
CarriageSplit trail
Elevation+10° to +50°
Traverse30° (initially), post-war 40°
Muzzle velocity2,840 ft/s (870 m/s)
Effective firing range12.5 mi (20.1 km) (minimum)
Maximum firing range20.24 mi (32.57 km)

The 8-inch gun M1 was a 203 mm towed heavy gun developed in the United States. At 32,584 m (35,635 yd), it had the longest range of any US Army field artillery weapon in World War II. It was also used in small numbers by the British Army.