Historic context :

In 1917, Skoda made its '8cm M17 FeldKanone' fieldgun adopted by Austria, as a replacement of the 8cm M05/08 FK with wich this country entered into the war. Despite the fact Böhler, increasingly serious competitor, announced a bit late the existence of a similar design, the decision was taken to confirm the 800 guns of the M17 Skoda model to answer to the urgent needs of the army, but also to perform comparative tests of both guns in the end of 1917.

These tests revealed the superiority of the Böhler design, thanks mainly to a longer barrel. This latter was therefore adopted in January 1918 as the '8cm M18 FeldKanone Böhler'. While Skoda was continuing to manufacture its M17 guns order, Böhler and several contractors were dedicated to the fabrication of the M18 model. Only a little more of 100 such guns were produced before the end of WW1.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 8 cm light fieldgun M 1918
• Design year : 1917
• Calibre : 76.50 mm
• Weight in firing position : 1330 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 33.00
• Grooves : 0 unknown
• Projectile weight : 8.0 kg
• Initial speed : 500 m/s
• Fire rate : 10 to 15 rounds / min
• Range : 10500 m
• Elevation range : -10 to +45 degrees
• Direction range : 8 degrees total range