Development of the 105 mm howitzer M1920 began in 1919, but owing to a shortage of funds it was not placed in production. By the end of the Second World War, 8,536 105mm towed howitzers had been built and post-war production continued at Rock Island Arsenal until 1953, by which time 10,202 had been built. In th emid-1980s the M101 105mm howitzer was finally withdrawn from service, replaced in US Army service by the M102 howitzer which in turn was replaced by the British Royal Ordnance 105 mm Light Gun.
Specifications | |
| Calibre | 105 mm |
| Barrel length |
(muzzle to rear face of breech ring) 2.574 m (bore) 2.363 m |
| Muzzle brake | none |
| Recoil system | hydropneumatic |
| Breech mechanism | horizontal sliding wedge |
| Carriage | split trail |
| Shield | yes |
| Weight |
(travelling order, M101) 2,030 kg (travelling order, M101A1) 2,258 kg (firing position, M101) 2,030 kg (firing position, M101A1) 2,258 kg |
| Length | (travelling) 5.991 m |
| Width |
(travelling) 2.159 m (firing) 3.657 m |
| Height |
(travelling, M101) 1.524 m (travelling, M101A1) 1.574 m (firing) 3.124 m |
| Ground clearance | 0.356 m |
| Track | 1.778 m |
| Elevation/depression | +66°/-5° |
| Traverse | (total) 46° |
| Rate of fire |
(max) 10 rds/min (sustained) 3 rds/min |
| Max range | 11,270 m |
| Crew | 8 |