Quick Facts
- Related Topics:
- cannon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
cannon
The French 75-mm cannon, the archetypal rapid-firing gun from its introduction in 1897 through World War I.
French 75
cannon
French 75, field gun of 75-mm (2.95-inch) bore devised in 1894 by Colonel Albert Deport of the French army. It was distinguished from other cannon of its time by its recoil system: the barrel and breech recoiled on rollers while the gun carriage itself remained in place instead of jumping or rolling backward.
The recoil was damped by a cylinder containing oil, and the barrel and breech were returned to firing position by air in a second cylinder, compressed by the recoil. Introduced in 1897, the weapon was used by French and Allied armies until the fall of France in World War II.
This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.