M1875 mountain gun

The M1875 mountain gun was a mountain gun that was used by the
M1875 mountain gun
United States Army during the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century
.

A Hotchkiss design from the French arms firm, Hotchkiss &

Company founded by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss, (1826–1885), "it was
the first original breech-loading gun in the U.S. Army".[1] It replaced
the earlier M1841 mountain howitzerused since about 1837, a decade
before the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848 in U.S. Army
service. It served with cavalry units during the late American Indian
Wars, including the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, and was also used
during the 1898 Spanish–American War in Cuba and Philippine–
American War (Philippines Insurrection) of 1899–1902 in the
Philippine Islands.

It broke down into two loads for easier mule transport. Another pack A Hotchkiss M1875 1.65-inch mountain gun at
mule was required for its ammunition. the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum, at Fort
Sill, Oklahoma
A 1878 Ordnance Report from Brigadier-General Steven Vincent
Type Mountain gun
Benet, narrates part of the history of this gun, stating,
Service history
"Early in 1876, Colonel Miles, Fifth Infantry, In service 1875–1905?
suggested that a light field-gun weighing less than 500 Used by United States
pounds be provided for service on the plains, to
Wars American Indian Wars
replace the obsolete mountain howitzer. The subject
Spanish–American
was submitted to the Ordnance Board for
War (1898)
consideration, with the remark 'that a rifled gun,
Philippine–American
probably a breech-loader, that can travel with cavalry,
War (Philippines
and has an effective shell range beyond that of rifled
Insurrection)/(1899–
small arms, not less than 1,500 yards, would probably
1902)
meet the requirements of the service'. While under
Specifications
consideration, Mr. B.B. Hotchkiss presented for
examination and trial a light breech-loading rifle that Weight 336 pounds (152 kg)
gave promise of efficient service on the frontier, and
fulfill the conditions of mobility, range, and accuracy. Caliber 1.65 inches (42 mm)
One was procured, and issued to the Department of Carriage Pole trail
Dakota in 1877, and was used in the field that summer
.
Traverse 0°
It weighs 116lbs, and its caliber is 1.65 inches. It uses
a charge of 6 ounces of powder, and a percussion shell Maximum firing range 4,000 yards (3,658 m)
weighing 2 pounds. While many defects in its
mechanism, and in the carriage and ammunition, have
been pointed out after the experience of a campaign,
showing that modifications are desirable to add to its
effectiveness, it did excellent work. I am informed that
Colonel Miles expressed himself satisfied that it had
rendered efficient service, and was a valuable weapon.
 With all its defects, others have been called for, and
the five now in possession of the department will be
issued to the troops."

References
1. Placard at the United States Army Field Artillery Museum, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

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This page was last edited on 30 September 2018, at 03:49(UTC).

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