Historic context :

Schneider was proposing in its catalogue three types of mountain artillery : light guns, high power guns and howitzers. The best commercial successes were obtained - on the export markets - with the weapons of the high power mountain artillery such as with the 3 inches M1909 delivered to Russia, but Morocco, Serbia and Portugal were convinced by guns of the first category with calibres of 70 or 75 mm.

This is how the 'Canon de Montagne Léger de 70 mm' named '75 M.D. at the Schneider catalogue and designed in 1906 -modernised later in 1911) was delivered to Portugal. This country used these weapons during WW1 in their Expeditionary Forces who used them against the Germans in Angola and Mozambique. It remained in service in Portugal until 1940.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 75mm mountain gun M1906 & M1911 - 'Schneider' 70mm M.D.
• Design year : 1906
• Calibre : 70.00 mm
• Weight in firing position : 520 kg
• Weight for transportation : 539 kg, in 6 separate loads
• Tube length in calibres : 17.10
• Grooves : 0 unknown
• Projectile weight : 5.1 kg
• Initial speed : 330 m/s
• Fire rate :
• Range : 4500 m
• Elevation range : -10 to +20 degrees
• Direction range : 4.34 degrees range

• Schneider et Compagnie - Matériels d'artillerie mis en service sur les fronts alliés 1914 - 1917           Collectif                     1917