French naval cannon 305mm / 45 Models 1906 caliber 305 mm was developed in 1906 and entered service shortly thereafter. The gun weighed approximately 54 tons and was capable of firing a projectile weighing 440 kilograms over a maximum distance of approximately 14,500 meters. The initial velocity of the shell fired from this gun was up to 780 m / s. It is assumed that the average rate of fire was about 1.5 arrows per minute. Cannon 305mm / 45 The 1906 models were the basic armament of the Danton-class battleships (the so-called pre-dreadnoughts). The class of these battleships consisted of a total of six units: Condorcet, Danton, Diderot, Mirabeau, Vergniaud, and Voltaire. All of them entered service just before the outbreak of World War I. Each of these ships was armed with four 305mm / 45 Model 1906 cannons arranged in two turrets of two guns. It is worth noting that in 1910 a modernized version of this gun was developed, which in turn served as the main armament for the Courbet-class battleships, which were the first dreadnoughts in the French Marine Nationale. It is assumed that the presented gun was similar in terms of combat capabilities to the British BL 12 inch Gun Mark X also in the 305 mm caliber.
French naval cannon 240mm / 50 Models 1902 The 240 mm caliber was developed in the years 1902-1906 and entered service shortly before the outbreak of World War I. Exactly in 1910. The cannon was able to fire a projectile weighing 240 kilograms over a maximum distance of approximately 14,000 meters. It should be added, however, that in the form of coastal artillery, its range increased to approx. 23,800 meters! The initial velocity of the shell fired from this gun was up to 800 m / s. It is worth adding that the total length of the barrel of this gun was about 12.5 meters. Cannon 240mm / 50 Model 1902 was used primarily on battleships of the Danton type, the so-called pre-dreadnoughts as secondary and supplementary weapons for 305 mm guns. Units of this class had 12 guns of this type located in six turrets, with two guns in each turret. After 1918, many examples of 240mm / 50 Model 1902 guns were converted into coastal artillery and this role continued until World War II, including participation in the 1940 battle for Dakar.
French cannon Canon de 47 mm Models 1902 caliber 47 mm was a rapid-firing sea cannon designed to counter surface targets. The weapon was designed at the beginning of the 20th century and was in service with the Marine Nationale from 1902-1945. Its total weight was approx. 305 kilograms, a its barrel was about 2.35 meters long. The cannon was able to fire a projectile weighing 2 kilograms and send it an initial speed of 690 m / s. Cannon The Canon de 47 mm Models 1902 was developed in the Hotchkiss plant in order to replace the gun of the same caliber Models 1885. Compared to its predecessor, it was primarily characterized by better reliability and a higher initial velocity of the bullet. The cannon was mounted on the Liberte and Danton-class battleships (pre-dreadnoughts), as well as on Edgar Quinet-class cruisers. It began to be used relatively quickly as an anti-aircraft weapon, but it did not perform well in this role. Over time, it was replaced in this role by the Canon de 75 mm Models 1908 gun.