77 model 14

[tnor_fr]

New cut of a model 14.

The zinc fuze has been restored. It is not terrible but it fits the model well.

 

[M8owner]

We just had a long conversation about that exact projectile.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80013-Some-WWI-German-77mm-Rounds/page3

 

[M8owner]

There is almost no point in shooting that at the enemy as it has so little room for explosive.

 

[pzgr40]

So, supposedly it relied upon schrappnel for effect. Clearly anti personel.

 

[frizzen]

It is my understanding, the model 14 was cast iron, hence the thick walls. The model 1915 was forged steel so they were able to reduce the thickness of the walls. Cast iron had very little fragment effect.

 

[M8owner]

In the 77mm thread on this site I identified above, it is what the US called in WWII a "Substitute Standard". Germany needed a lot of rounds quickly, so they manufactured millions of less efficient/poorer performing projectiles because that was better than firing nothing.

 

[frizzen]

Yes, exactly. When the first war started, all of the armies went in with a preponderance of shrapnel ammo. Germany was the first to realize that when the troops dug into the trenches, shrapnel became inefficient and switched production to HE ammo. The model 1914 does appear to be a stopgap until the better quality model 1915 could be produced in quantity. and, to be fair, even though the charge in the 1914 was reduced because of the thick walls, it still worked much better that shrapnel which is an open target round.

 

[tnor_fr]

thank you all.
I am cutting a model 15 and it is also thick. I will make comparative photos.