37 mm Infantry Gun Model 1917

The 37 mm Infantry Gun Model 1917 was a light artillery piece produced in the United States during World War One for the French Army that was adopted by the US Army when it entered the war on the side of the Allies.

37 mm Infantry Gun Model 1917
A M1917 at the National World War I Museum at Kansas City, USA.
TypeInfantry support gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used by France
 United States
WarsWorld War I
Production history
Designed1916
ManufacturerBethlehem Steel
Produced1916
No. built185
Specifications
Mass973 lb (441 kg)
Barrel length5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) L/47[1]
ShellFixed QF
Shell weight1 lb (450 g)
Caliber1.5 in (37 mm)
BreechVertical sliding wedge[1]
RecoilHydro-spring
CarriageSplit-trail
Elevation-5° to +15°
Traverse45°
Muzzle velocity2,100 ft/s (640 m/s)
Maximum firing range2.3 mi (3.7 km)[1]

History

The design was a private venture by Bethlehem Steel and was offered to the French in 1916 under the designation One-pounder 37 mm Semi-automatic Gun, Mark C on Carriage Mark A. It was intended as an infantry support gun or as a landing gun for amphibious operations. In the infantry support role, it would have been used in loopholing operations to neutralize enemy machine guns in pillboxes. It is believed the French ordered 200 guns in 1916, 100 during 1917 and another 1,000 during 1918. However, the exact number that were delivered or how many entered French service is unknown.[1] In July 1918 the US ordnance department accepted an offer from the French to sell 200 guns produced by Bethlehem Steel to the US Army. The US Army agreed to take over the French order assuming they would be receiving the Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP which the US Army had already accepted for service. However, when the first batch of 75 was delivered to the AEF in France it was discovered that it was a completely different gun which used its own incompatible ammunition.[1] The AEF agreed to accept the next 110 guns that were in the process of being completed and gave them the designation of 37 mm Infantry Gun Model 1917. The AEF may have not used the M1917 in action. So the 185 guns the US Army acquired were the product of an administrative error. The Army couldn't envision a use for them and since few were acquired they were declared obsolete in 1921 and retired from service. However, their light weight, low profile and high velocity would have made it a useful anti-tank gun.[1]

Design
Two M1917's at the American Armored Foundation Museum at Danville, Virginia.

The Model 1917 featured a forged one piece nickel steel barrel with a semi-automatic vertical sliding wedge breech. The split-trail carriage had a hydro-spring recoil system, two wooden spoked wheels and fired Fixed QF ammunition. The gun was light enough that traverse and elevation could be controlled from a stock attached to the breech of the gun. There was also a seat attached to the trails for the gunner.[1]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abEq7bWROwA - A video of the gun.

References
  1. Williford, Glen (2016). American breechloading mobile artillery 1875-1953 : an illustrated identification guide. Batha, Thomas D. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. pp. 48–49. ISBN 9780764350498. OCLC 927401960.
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