... the Krupp QF weapon systems sold / exported abroad( to incude Belgium, Ottoman Empire, Italy, Rumania, Spain, Chili, etc.) were not the FK 96 n/A. They wre later designs akin to the FK96, but all in calibre other than 77mm, and they differed cosmetically.
For example, comparing the FK96 n/A to the Italian M1906 (Cannone DA75/27)
Again, druing the Great War, the FK96 n/A served only in the German army as issued equipment. As further information, Bulgaria bought the excellent System Scheinder 75mm TR when they rearmed after the Balkan Wars. The Krupp QF they are seen using in WW1 are captured Balkan War pieces from Turkey, and those taken from Romania after the latter's entry in the Great War.
As further information, Bulgaria bought the excellent System Scheinder 75mm TR when they rearmed after the Balkan Wars. The Krupp QF they are seen using in WW1 are captured Balkan War pieces from Turkey, and those taken from Romania after the latter's entry in the Great War.
This is correct. However both German (Kosar) and Bulgarian (History of Bulgarian A/A artillery) sources state that during WW1 Germany gave some - I don't know how many - 7.7cm FK 96n.A. In Bulgarian sources the model of the gun used by Bulgarian Army is usually listed in detail : 7,5 cm QF "Schneider", 7,5 cm QF "Krupp", 8,7 cm not QF "Krupp", 7,5 cm QF "Krupp" Turkish, 7,7 cm QF German.
MPC - I've seen your posts elsewhere, and recall being impressed . As I remember, the 8,7cm Krupp ( Schewre FeldKanone C73) was the piece Bulgaria used in the 1st Balkan War. It was a quick loader (QL), but not a quick firer(QF), in as much as it fired seperate ammunition, and had to be returned to battery after each firing( non-recoil carraige). To my knowledge, the only 7,7cm FK96 n/A pieces that served with the Bulgarian Army were two (2) batteries of BAK, and I always understood these were German crewed. (these pieces were fitted on Krupp designed high-angle fire braced wheeled limbers. They were surplused when appreciable numbers of the 7,7cm L/35 (franz.) became available to German BAK units. A surviving example exists in the Royal Armee Musee).
If I am mistaken, and they were indeed crewed by Bulgarian soldiers, please by all means correct me. I never reject enlightenment.
MPC - I've seen your posts elsewhere, and recall being impressed . As I remember, the 8,7cm Krupp ( Schewre FeldKanone C73) was the piece Bulgaria used in the 1st Balkan War. It was a quick loader (QL), but not a quick firer(QF), in as much as it fired seperate ammunition, and had to be returned to battery after each firing( non-recoil carraige). To my knowledge, the only 7,7cm FK96 n/A pieces that served with the Bulgarian Army were two (2) batteries of BAK, and I always understood these were German crewed. (these pieces were fitted on Krupp designed high-angle fire braced wheeled limbers. They were surplused when appreciable numbers of the 7,7cm L/35 (franz.) became available to German BAK units. A surviving example exists in the Royal Armee Musee). If I am mistaken, and they were indeed crewed by Bulgarian soldiers, please by all means correct me. I never reject enlightenment.
Yes 8,7cm Krupp was not a quick firing gun, and I wrote exactly this: 7,5 cm not QF "Krupp". Usually in Bulgarian sources field guns were designed quick firing ano not quick firing.
As for 7,7cm FK96 n/A, according with the History of Bulgarian A/A artillery two section (not two batterties) of Bulgarian A/A Artillery were armed with 7,7cm guns. In addition to them there are also some German A/A batteries (AFIK in 1918 there were four horse-drawn batteries and four Flak Zug). If I understand correctly the Bulgarian text the 77cm Bulgarian guns are field gun on improvised mounting, since guns adapted for A/A fire were usually designed "Special".
Franz Kosar in his Artillerie im 20 Jahrhundert states that 7,7cm field guns were shipped during WW1 to both Bulgaria and Turkey.
According Bulgarian sources during WW1 Germay gave to Bulgarian Army 40000 shell for 7,7cm in 1915-16 and 55000 in 1917. This means - I think - that Bulgarian Army had some of these guns.
...I may be the only one in the western hemisphere who hasn't a copy this book; or any other of Kozar's work. I can not dispute his remarks, but I would like to know his source. To my knowledge, this information is not collaborated by material in the Freiberg archives ( At least I could not find it). Perhaps he gleaned it elsewhere. I simply must purchase his book; thank you.
Yes, I missed your earlier clarification of the C73; my appologies please.
Franz Kosar's Artillerie im 20 Jahrhundert is surely an interesting. It contains a lot of information, but it is not the Holy Bible. It is usually well informed about the great powers, but I found some mistakes expecially with regard to Balkan states. I think that about Bulgaria, Turkey and so on Bulgarian, Turkish... sources are the most reliably, but of course it is not easy obtain (and read) them. Since I was a student I'm trying to know the organisation and the weapons of Bulgaria and other Balkan states in WW1. Now I have many answers, but I must admit that I have even more questions. I hope only that the collaboration with man as you can help me to find more answers.
BTW according with various sources, Bulgaria during WW1 received from Germany also hundreds 10,5cm lFH 98/09, 10,5cm lFH 16 and 10,5cm lFH Krupp. What do you know about the export of these howitzers? And for 15cm howitzers (about them the question is even more complex)?
As far as is known I know of no use of the "7.7cm FK 96 n.A." by any country other than by Germany. On the other hand it has been reported that its replacement, the "7.7cm FK 16" was supplied in probably relatively small quantities (less than 100?) to Bulgaria, Finland and the Ottoman Turks. The Bulgarians and Turks probably did'nt receive any of these weapons until at the earliest late 1917 or early 1918; when Finland got hers is unclear. Poland also used some FK 16s after the war. As far as exports of Krupp and Skoda 15cm field howitzers go, see my article "A Case of Mistaken Identity" on this site. I study arms exports from all periods, and this includes detailed export information on these weapons.
