Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:49:44-4:50:37

Why Germany preferred 8.3-inch guns to a 9.4-inch armoured-cruiser weapon

A smaller 8.3-inch calibre could offer faster fire, higher muzzle performance, and a cheaper long barrel even though each shell carried less hitting power.

9.4-inch GunsArmoured CruisersImperial German NavyNaval GunneryRate Of FireScharnhorst Class Armoured Cruisers
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Question

Why did Germany abandon a 9.4-inch armoured-cruiser gun in favour of the Scharnhorst class's 8.3-inch weapon?

Short answer

The smaller gun offered a better balance of fire rate, barrel performance, cost, and practical accuracy.

Notes

The choice balances individual shell effect against the number and velocity of rounds delivered. A smaller calibre can be handled and fired more rapidly, increasing volume of fire. It is also easier and cheaper to build a long barrel in proportion to bore size, which can improve projectile velocity and trajectory. Accuracy and practical rate of fire may therefore compensate for some loss in shell weight. The 9.4-inch gun still had substantial power, while German designers valued a particular combination of performance and cost for the Scharnhorst-class armoured cruisers.