Paris Gun

[Shell Shifter]

I have had an enduring interest in this weapon for like forever. I bought some fragments allegedly related to the gun and it's bombardment of Paris. Real? Clever fakery? I sort of bend towards the real but that is what collectors do ... you judge.

First let me share the paper that came with the objects:

First: the Rivet from the Mont de Joie location:

Probably should have had a ruler next to it ... Dia. of head = 1.5", length o/a = 1.3"


Here is the larger shell fragment:

Largest dimension is ~ 3"
Using this calculator

The Complete Circular Arc Calculator

I came up with shell diameters of 6" to 12". We do know that the shells used with the Paris Gun(s) did vary.
Finally the last fragment, a piece from the rear presumably:


The fragments were collected from Jouy-en-Josas, a suburb outside of Paris (see map)

It lies from ~80 - 70 miles from the gun emplacements. It is close to the maximum range.

Anyway, there you have it. A bit of a mystery. I am on the trial of Mrs. Miller too.
I have no particular reason to disbelieve the story but don't all collectors say that?

Comments, as always, appreciated.

 

[kiwieod]

thats a very large rivet and they would of needed some serious tools to remove it,unless it had been damaged before hand
it looks to have been sheared off somehow,it dosent show any marks like being punched out

 

[Shell Shifter]

By that point the Germans had removed/destroyed the guns.

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

The paperwork for the provenance gives you some good continuity.

 

[MikeS0000]

Hi S.S. -

I also have a mounted fragment from the "Paris Gun". I'm pretty sure I posted on it, but cannot now find it. Maybe someone who is better at searching the forum can help!

However, Big Bertha and the Paris Gun are two different beasts. The terms are often mixed and matched without discrimination. There is a publication titled 'The Paris Gun' by H.W. Miller. I have one of the original publications, but I believe it has also been reprinted.

If you truly have a piece, it is very rare. I know of no other example outside of museums.

Best regards!

- Mike

 

[Shell Shifter]

I have read that the term "Big Bertha" was used by the French to refer to the Paris Gun.

 

[pat]

bonjour, la grosse bertha est un mortier de 420 mm, les canons qui ont tiré sur paris étaient d'un calibre de 210mm , je crois qu'au bout de 20 ou 30 tirs il fallait changer le canon à cause de l'usure, de même les obus qui étaient tirés , étaient numérotés avec des diametres de ceinture de plus en plus épais ,

 

[JulienCD68]

bonjour, la grosse bertha est un mortier de 420 mm, les canons qui ont tiré sur paris étaient d'un calibre de 210mm , je crois qu'au bout de 20 ou 30 tirs il fallait changer le canon à cause de l'usure, de même les obus qui étaient tirés , étaient numérotés avec des diametres de ceinture de plus en plus épais ,

Balistique intérieure et extérieure des Paris Kanonen - Forum PAGES 14-18

 

[MikeS0000]

Here are some photos of the fragment I was fortunate enough to acquire. The silver tag has the date and location engraved on it, as it went through the window of a US Attache in Paris. You can see the casting of the grooves on the fragment, if they weren't present I might question the validity of it.

Best regards!
- Mike