m97 French rework to German 77mm AA gun

[Rod Bellars (RIP)]

here is one I am currently just stabilizing after spendng many years in a scrap pile awaiting final clearance it was a last minute save thanks Dennis .Before going to scrap pile it was a park ornament getting a coat of silver paint that has preserved some orignal paint under the repaint of German m15 grey

basically these were captured French m97 field guns that were remanfactured by Germans I beleive to standard 77mm m96 round and anti aircraft gun configuration using a lot of the orignal French parts in their construction .This gun is numbered 244 by the Germans and I have seen pictures of them in German use and also supplied to axis forces in Middle East probably where this one was captured . I currently have barrel off as was unsafe hanging on a bar in mount as recoil box was misisng and in the process of removing rocks in barrel and breach block .
amazingly after 80 years of abuse the traverse still works and has remains of wooden roller handle !!!!
below are some shots for you I am keen to find a standard French m97 recoil box if anyone knows of a wreck on a range etc i would be keen to recover it as needed here as well as the elevation handwheel and upper cog and one lower shield flap and breach fittings ie firing trip and plunger unit
shots below are

one
carridge with half shield removed and barrel on implement wheels to move around

two
removed half shield note lower flap missing off other side has cutout for rifle ie g98 for shooting at planes

three
german trail mod to allow high angle

four
barrel hanging on hoist getting rocks removed after years in park

five
shot of side of AA mount with sights and original German paint under silver repaint

Again if anyone else knows of any mor eof these around let me know keen to see shots

regards
ROD

[Neil Ashley]

I assume you have already found sites like this.

http://canonspgmww1guns.canalblog.com/

http://www.landships.freeservers.com/

I am on the look out for a WW1 Artillery piece to buy but I doubt if I will ever found one.

[Rod Bellars (RIP)]

Neil
The French site already has some of my ww1 artillery listed I am slowly updating them on my collection as well in the hope to get a few parts I need , it wil probably be listed under Rod and Amys rustfarm . I have been sending them some guns with their relevant histories and capture details last one was a 77mm m96 captured at Hamel 4/7/1918

well I have about 40 artillery pieces mostly German , British and have a few spares you may like to email me but dont get too excited the spares are the fish John West rejects and willl need serious work or are incomplete , as well i have some i see as simply parts ie blown barrels.
I am in Australia and more than happy to trade and help people with legal export paperwork this end . I have a german contact as well that has recently offered me two very rought m96 77mm guns
regards
Rod