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Secret howitzer
18th-century Russian cannon / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 95 mm howitzer M1753, called secret howitzer or Shuvalov's secret howitzer, was an 18th-century Russian cannon, a type of muzzle-loading howitzer, devised and introduced into service by artillery commander, General Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov.[1][2]
95 mm howitzer M1753 | |
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![]() Shuvalov's secret howitzer | |
Type | howitzer |
Place of origin | ![]() |
Service history | |
Wars | Seven Years' War |
Production history | |
Designer | Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov |
Designed | 1753 |
No. built | ca. 200 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 491 kg (barrel) |
Caliber | 95×207 mm |
Barrels | 1620 mm |
Action | muzzle-loader |
Breech | conical |
Carriage | horse |
Shuvalov's gun had an unusual, oval bore, which was designed to facilitate shot dispersal while firing canisters and therefore to increase the beaten zone. A special canister round produced for the cannon contained 168 balls; a grapeshot version, with 48 larger balls, was also provided for shooting at 300–600 yards distance.[1]
The name of the gun comes from the great secrecy which surrounded it. While not in use, the muzzle was covered with a lid to hide its unusual shape.[1] The death penalty was set as the punishment for revealing the secret of the weapon.[2]