105 mm L.23 Field Howitzer M2.A1

The 105 mm field howitzer shown here was manufactured in 1940 and it served in the French army during World War Two. The howitzer is on display at the Musée de l’Armée in Paris. The olive drab camouflage paint has faded to a greyish green on the exposed outer surfaces of the howitzer shield and wheel rims. The original olive drab colour can still be seen on less exposed parts of the howitzer trail, shield, breech and recoil mechanism. The 105 mm M2 field howitzer became the standard light field howitzer of many NATO armies after World War Two, and upgraded versions of this weapon remain in service in many countries around the world.

Available Scale Model Kits

105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 1:35 Italeri 319
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 20 mm Raventhorpe
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 20 mm RAFM
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 1:76 AB Figures AP7
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 1:87 ROCO 183
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 1:285 GHQ US8
105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1, 1:300 Heroics & Ros

Technical Specifications

Obusier de 105 mm sur Affût tracté M2.A1
Calibre: 105 mm
Barrel Length: L.23
Range: 11,430 m
Rate of Fire: 15 rounds per minute
Armour Penetration at 0-100 m:
- 102 mm using H.E.A.T.

Bibliography

Hogg, Ian: Twentieth-Century Artillery
Funcken, L. & F.: L’Uniforme et les Armes des Soldats de la Guerre 1939–1945, p. 121

Museum Exhibits

Plaque on the howitzer shield, Musée de l’Armée, Paris

Breech mechanism, Musée de l’Armée, Paris

Recoil mechanism No. 8734 (Rock Island Arsenal 1943), Musée de l’Armée, Paris

Historical Employment

US Army 1940
French Army 1943
NATO 1949

Possible Conversions

NATO 105 mm Field Howitzer (L) M2.A1/A2, 1962-today

The 105 mm field howitzer M2.A1 was an important field artillery weapon during World War Two which continues to serve in many armed forces around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

For further information on the subject, please contact the editors of Military Miniatures Magazine in the Miniatures Forum.

US Army Miniatures of World War Two