17 cm SK L/40 gun

The 17 cm SK L/40 was a German naval gun that was used in the two World Wars. Originally a naval gun, it was adapted for land service during World War I.

Description
The 17 cm SK L/40 gun weighed 10.7 t, had an overall length of 6.904 m. Although designated as 17 cm, its actual caliber was 17.26 cm. It used the Krupp horizontal sliding block, or "wedge", as it is sometimes referred to, in a breech loading design, rather than the interrupted screw commonly used in the heavy guns of other nations. This required that the propellant charge be loaded in a metal, (usually brass), case which provides obduration, i.e. seals the breech to prevent escape of the expanding propellant gas.

World War I
A number of guns were used as towed artillery and railway guns during World War I.

World War II
Six guns dismounted from obsolete battleships were used as railway guns from 1938 onwards.