OTO/Ansolado 152 mm/53 Models 1926 and 1929 gun

• Name — 152 mm /53 Model 1926–1929 • Origin — Italy • Type — Naval gun • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1926–1964 • Used By — Italy • Wars — World War II • Designer — Ansaldo • Design Date — 1926 • Manufacturer — Ansaldo OTO Melara • Production Date — 1926–1929 • Weight — Model 1926: 7.34 metric tons Model 1929: 7.69 metric tons • Length — 8.5 m • Part Length — 8 m 53 caliber • Cartridge Weight — Early: 50 kg Late: 47.5 kg • Caliber — 152 mm • Rate — Model 1926: 4 rpm Model 1929: 5-8 rpm • Velocity — Early: 1000 m/s Late: 850 m/s • Max Range — Early: 28.4 km at +45° Late: 22.6 km at +45° • Breech — Horizontal sliding breech block • Elevation — Model 1926: -5° to +45° Model 1929:-10° to +45° • Traverse — -150° to +150°

The Model 1926 was designed and manufactured by Ansaldo, while the Model 1929 was manufactured by OTO Melara. Although both models of gun were similar in construction, components from each manufacturer were not fully interchangeable. The gun mounts had electrically powered training, elevation, hoists, rammers and the guns shared a common cradle. Improvements in ammunition handling meant that the rate of fire for the Model 1929 was nearly twice as fast as the Model 1926. Loading was at +20° for the Model 1926, while the model 1929 could be loaded at any angle up to 45°. These guns suffered from dispersion problems so the original muzzle velocity of 1000 m/s was reduced to 850 m/s with AP shells. Shell weight was also reduced from 50 kg to 47.5 kg in an attempt to resolve these problems, but were only partially successful. The main reason for the dispersion problem was because the guns were mounted too close together on a common cradle, which also complicated loading of the guns.

The majority of the Condottieri classes had two superfiring twin-mount turrets forward and aft, except for the Duca degli Abruzzi subclass which had different model guns and had two twin turrets replaced with two triple turrets. The carried Model 1926 guns, while the Cadorna, Montecuccoli, and Duca d'Aosta subclasses carried Model 1929 guns. The mountings for the Giussano and Cadorna subclasses were found to be too lightly built for the recoil forces created by these guns.

Ammunition was of quick-fire separate loading type. The AP projectile was 63 cm long with a cartridge case and a bagged charge which weighed 21.43 kg. The gun was able to fire: • Armor Piercing (early) - 50 kg • Armor Piercing (late) - 47.5 kg • High Explosive - 44.3 kg

Surviving examples of Model 1929 guns salvaged from the cruiser are located at the Città della Domenica theme and amusement park near Perugia, Italy.

• BL 6-inch Mk XXII naval gun approximate British equivalent deployed on battleships • 6-inch/53-caliber gun US equivalent

OTO/Ansolado 152 mm/53 Models 1926 and 1929 gun is classified as a naval artillery or rifled breech loader. Mandaic incantation texts / by Edwin M. OTO/Ansolado 152 mm/53 Models 1926 and 1929 gun is associated with Italy. Within the Encyclopedia. Connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.