Mortar Cannons

[Stiles/Akin]

 

[johan_steele]

Otherwise known as a howitzer.

 

[JOHN42768]

Or Darn Big Gun

 

[Mark Roth]

Sounds like a giant, hinged shotgun that can be fired with the barrel down or off.

Did someone misunderstand what thing really was when told of a breechloader?

 

[kevikens]

Otherwise known as a howitzer.

This article leaves something to be desired. Such a gun is, as pointed out, a howitzer and they have been around at least since the 18th century. Other than having a rifled barrel I cannot fathom just what it is that makes this gun surpass Armstrong and Whitworth pieces, which I think all Whitworth tubes were and some of the Armstrong guns as well.