An improved 65 mm/50 anti-torpedo boat gun designed and manufactured by Schneider that replaced the older 65 mm guns on ships built after 1902. These guns were seen as being ineffective against the larger destroyers built soon after these guns were introduced into service and were supplanted by the larger 75 mm guns. Some of these 65 mm guns were still in service during World War II.
| Designation | 65 mm/50 Mle 1902 |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Battleship: République and Liberté classes
Armored Cruisers: Edgar Quinet and Ernest Renan classes Destroyers/Torpedo Boats: Branlebas, Chasseur, Claymore, Bisson, Enseigne-Roux, Spahi and Voltigeur classes |
| Date Of Design | 1902 |
| Date In Service | 1907 |
| Gun Weight | 1,310 lbs. (594 kg) |
| Gun Length oa | 136.0 in (3.450 m) |
| Bore Length | 128.0 in (3.250 m) |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | (26) 0.016 in deep x 0.59 in wide (0.5 x 1.5 mm) |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | Inclination 5 degrees |
| Chamber Volume | 128.0 in3 (2.254 dm3) |
| Rate Of Fire | about 10 rounds per minute |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Projectile Types and Weights | CI: 8.82 lbs. (4.00 kg)
Steel: 9.19 lbs. (4.170 kg) |
| Bursting Charge | CI: 0.43 lbs. (0.195 kg) Black Powder
Steel: 0.17 lbs. (0.075 kg) Black Powder + 0.22 lbs. (0.100 kg) Melinite |
| Projectile Length | CI: about 72.9 in (18.5 cm)
Steel: 85.7 in (21.8 cm) |
| Propellant Charge | 3.14 lbs. (1.425 kg) BM5 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,850 fps (870 mps) |
| Working Pressure | 17.8 tons/in2(2,800 kg/cm2)] |
| Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | N/A |
| Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|
| 20 degrees | about 8,750 yards (8,000 m) |
| Designation | Single Center Pivot:
Battleships: (13) Armored Cruisers: Edgar Quinet (20) and Ernest Renan (16) Destroyers: Branlebas (1), Chasseur (6), Claymore (1), Bisson (4), Enseigne-Roux (4), Spahi (6) and Voltigeur (6) |
|---|---|
| Weight | N/A |
| Elevation | About -15 / +20 degrees |
| Rate of Elevation | N/A |
| Train | Destroyers: About -150 / +150 degrees
Broadside Mounts: About +30 / +150 to either side |
| Rate of Train | N/A |
| Gun Recoil | N/A |
| Loading Angle | Any angle |
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Naval Weapons of World War One" by Norman Friedman
"French Armoured Cruisers: 1887 - 1932" by John Jordan and Philippe Caresse
04 June 2025 - New datapage