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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

SMS Konigsberg-gun numbering


kallag

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The Königsberg gun on display outside the Union Buildings in South Africa (Pretoria) is numbered Nr.369L at the rear of the breech. This 'makers mark' is however different on the right hand recuperator/buffer cylinder, the number being 367R. The left hand cylinder is numbered 369L with a top nut just in front of the breech also numbered 369(without the L).

In addition to the 367 and 369 numbers mentioned, the top of the breech reflects two further numbers, K8732 and Nr. 1052.

A Königsberg sight arc on display at the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg reflects the number 368L.

My questions are:

1. What does the L following the 369 mean?

2. What does the R following the 367 mean?

3. Which of the numbers would be considered the gun number?

It would also be interesting to know whether the numbering reflected on the other surviving guns in Jinja and Mombasa has been recorded.

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Someone more expert may well correct me, but I'll kick off with the suggestion that, naval guns often being 'handed', L = Links = Left and R = Rechts = Right, referring to the side from which the breech opens, and to the side on which the cylinders belong.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have been in touch with the Australian War Museum regarding the numbering of the SMS Emden (sistership of the Konigsberg) gun in their possession and received the following reply:

The gun is numbered “Nr. 404L” at the rear of the breech, but there is no date (like there is on the Konigsberg’s gun). At the top of the breech are the numbers “K4373” and “Nr.1320”. Neither of the hand recuperator/buffer cylinders are numbered.

Will also try to establish the numbering of the other Emden guns in Australia.

Kallag

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