German Artillery
15cm R.K. Handheld Range Drum
Above: This is a handheld range drum for the 15cm R.K. (Ring Cannon). The distance from the gun to the target is set on the drum and the rectangular shaped piece on the opposite side, with the leveling vile, elevates. Then the gun barrel is elevated to the point that the leveling bubble is centered in the glass vile. The barrel is then at range elevation, so that a projectile fired, with a standard propellant charge, will hit generally at the set range
Above: The rectangular piece to the left contains the leveling vile
Above: Nr. 254 is the gun number. Again the leveling vile is on the right of this photograph
Above: The lever allows the drum to rotate freely
Above: Looking down on the range drum. The leveling vile can be seen from this view
Above: Bottom view of the range drum
Link to the 12cm Kanone handheld range drum
Link to see a more convential range drum
All images, research, and text are sole property of Ralph Lovett.