Historic context :

The Russian 1877 artillery system included a heavy 200 'puds' mortar (tube weight, 1 pud = 16.38 kg). The headquarters requested Obuchov to design a siege lighter version with the same caliber, and accepted the drawings in 1882 with a barrel weighing 70 puds only. This '8 inches M 1877 siege mortar' was ordered in 1889 with 34 pieces, and another 20 pieces in 1890, followed by a late 8 pieces order in 1903-1904. The main quantities of these weapons were manufactured by the Perm factories.

This light siege howitzer was equipped with a jacketted barrel, and a sliding block breech mechanism. It was maneuvered in one single mass thanks to is wheeled steel carriage, but could be mounted on a wooden platform, and in this configuration could be equipped with a hydraulic recoil brake.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 8 inches 70 puds siege mortar M 1877
• Design year : 1892
• Calibre : 203.20 mm (8 in)
• Weight in firing position : 2842 kg + platform 1310 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 7.50
• Grooves : 0 unknown
• Projectile weight : 78.2 kg / 98.3 kg
• Initial speed : 272 m/s / 202 m/s
• Fire rate :
• Range : 5700 m / 3700 m
• Elevation range : 0 to +60 degrees
• Direction range : none (32 degrees total field on a platform)