The Model 1930 as a mid-range anti-aircraft gun, replacing some of the unsuccessful 152 mm DP guns on the Richelieu class battleships. Also used on the Heavy Cruiser Algérie. Used an autofretted barrel and a semi-automatic breech mechanism. Loading was by spring-powered rammers. These guns were in a single cradle and fired fixed ammunition.
The Model 1933 was an improved version which did not see service use. Unless otherwise noted, the data below is for the Model 1930.
| Designation | 100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1930
100 mm/45 (3.9") Model 1933 |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Model 1930: Lorraine, Richelieu and Algérie Classes
Model 1933: Elan, Chamois, Le Fier, De Grasse, Clemenceau and Gascogne |
| Date Of Design | 1930 |
| Date In Service | 1939 |
| Gun Weight | 3,629 lbs. (1,620 kg) |
| Gun Length oa | N/A |
| Bore Length | 177.2 in (4.500 m) |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | N/A |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | N/A |
| Rate Of Fire | Theoretical: 16 rounds per minute
Practical: 10 rounds per minute |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round 1 | SAP: 53.2 lbs. (24.2 kg)
HE: 50.0 lbs. (22.7 kg) Starshell: N/A |
| Projectile Types and Weights | SAP: 32.96 lbs. (14.95 kg)
HE: 29.7 lbs. (13.5 kg) Starshell: N/A |
| Bursting Charge | N/A |
| Projectile Length | N/A: Complete Round 39.8 in (1.011 m) |
| Propellant Charge | 8.6 lbs. (3.9 kg) BM7 |
| Muzzle Velocity | SAP: 2,510 fps (765 mps)
HE: 2,559 fps (780 mps) Starshell: N/A |
| Working Pressure | N/A |
| Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | Richelieu: 400 rounds 2 De Grasse: 300 rounds Others: N/A |
- ^
Actual French designations SAP OPf Mle 1928 HE OEA Mle 1928 Starshell OEcl Mle 1928 - ^Richelieu carried no more than 10 rounds of SAP per gun as it was considered to be unnecessary given her powerful secondary armament of 152 mm (6") guns.
| Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|
| 45 degrees | 17,388 yards (15,900 m) |
| AA Ceiling | 32,280 feet (10,000 m) |
| Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|
| 45 degrees | 17,280 yards (15,800 m) |
| Designation | Twin Mount
Lorraine (4), Richelieu (6) and Algérie (6): Model 1931 1a Elan (1), Chamois (1), Le Fier (2), De Grasse (3), Clemenceau (6) and Gascogne (8): Model 1937 |
|---|---|
| Weight | Model 1931: 13.3 tons (13.5 mt)
Model 1937: 29.3 tons (29.8 mt) 2a |
| Elevation | Model 1931: -10 / +80 degrees
Model 1937: -10 / +90 degrees |
| Rate of Elevation | N/A |
| Train | About -80 / +80 degrees |
| Rate of Train | N/A |
| Gun Recoil | N/A |
- ^The Model 1931 was open-back and the Model 1930 guns shared a single cradle. Distance between gun axes was 23.6 inches (60 cm). The mountings on Lorraine were removed and installed on Richelieu along with two other mountings from the Niolon Battery near Marseille.
- ^The Model 1937 was an enclosed mounting with the Model 1933 guns individually sleeved and did not enter service use. This was originally designed for small minesweeping sloops and had two pusher hoists per gun, one for ASu and one for AA, which turned with the mounting. Weight given above is for the original design which was for small warships and had 4 mm plating. Mountings for the battleships would have had 30 mm plating and larger servo-motors.
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Battleships: Allied Battleships in World War II" by W.H. Garzke, Jr. and R.O. Dulin, Jr.
"French Battleships: 1922 - 1956" by John Jordan and Robert Dumas
"French Cruisers: 1922 - 1956" by John Jordan and Jean Moulin
"Cruisers of World War Two" by M.J. Whitley Page History
07 October 2006 - Benchmark
29 November 200 - Added photograph of Richelieu, information on projectiles and Model 1937 Mounting
29 March 2013 - Added ammunition details
26 December 2022 - Converted to HTML 5 format, minor formatting changes