| 95 mm howitzer M1753 | |
|---|---|
 Shuvalov's secret howitzer | |
| Type | howitzer |
| Place of origin |  Russian Empire |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Seven Years' War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov |
| Designed | 1753 |
| No. built | ca. 200 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 491 kg (barrel) |
| Caliber | 95×207 mm |
| Barrels | 1620 mm |
| Action | muzzle-loader |
| Breech | conical |
| Carriage | horse |
The 95 mm howitzer M1753, called secret howitzer or Shuvalov's secret howitzer, was an 18th-century Russian cannon, a type of muzzle-loading howitzer, devised and introduced into service by artillery commander, General Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov.[1][2]
Shuvalov's gun had an unusual, oval bore, which was designed to facilitate shot dispersal while firing canisters and therefore to increase the beaten zone. A special canister round produced for the cannon contained 168 balls; a grapeshot version, with 48 larger balls, was also provided for shooting at 300–600 yards distance.[1]
The name of the gun comes from the great secrecy which surrounded it. While not in use, the muzzle was covered with a lid to hide its unusual shape.[1] The death penalty was set as the punishment for revealing the secret of the weapon.[2]
- ^ a b c Konstam, Angus (1996). Russian Army of the Seven Years' War (2). Men-at-Arms. London: Osprey Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-85532-587-6.
- ^ a b 95-мм гаубица (1753) (in Russian). www.kbgrabina.ru. 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-31.