The 5 cm SK L/40 gun[Note 1] was a German naval gun used in World War I and World War II.

5 cm SK L/40
A 5 cm SK L/40 gun on a center pivot mount.
TypeNaval gun
Place of originGerman Empire
Service history
In service1892-1945
Used byGerman Empire
Nazi Germany
Belgium
The Netherlands
WarsWorld War I
World War II
Production history
Designed1892
Produced5 cm SK L/40 - 1892
5 cm Tbts KL/40 - 1913
Specifications
Mass240 kg (530 lb)
Length2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Barrel length1.83 m (6 ft) L/40 caliber

ShellFixed QF 52 x 333R[1]
Shell weight1.75 kg (3.9 lb)
Caliber50 mm (2 in)
BreechHorizontal sliding-wedge
Elevation-5° to +20°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire10 rpm
Muzzle velocity656 m/s (2,150 ft/s)
Maximum firing range6.2 km (3.9 mi) at +20°[2]

Service

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The 5 cm SK L/40 gun was primarily used as an anti-torpedo boat gun aboard avisos, corvettes, gunboats, protected cruisers, submarines, torpedo boats, and unprotected cruisers. It was used by the navies of the German Empire, Nazi Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands.

 

Ship classes that carried the 5 cm SK L/40 include:

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ SK - Schnelladekanone (quick loading cannon); L - Länge in Kaliber (length in caliber)

References

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  1. ^ "48-57 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  2. ^ Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval weapons of World War One : guns, torpedoes, mines and ASW weapons of all nations : an illustrated directory. South Yorkshire: Seaforth Pub. ISBN 978-1848321007. OCLC 751804655.

Bibliography

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  • Campbell, John (2002). Naval Weapons of World War Two. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • Reichs-Marine-Amt, ed. (1898). Die 5 cm Schnelllade-Kanone L/40 in Torpedoboots-Laffete C/92 und ihre Munition, nebst Vorschriften für die Behandlung und Bedienung. E. S. Mittler. OCLC 461072478.
  • Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines, and ASW Weapons of All Nations: An Illustrated Directory. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1848321007.
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