Saint-Chamond-Mondragón

The Canon de 75 modèle 1915 Saint-Chamond also known as the Canon de Tir Rapide 75 mm St Chamond or the Saint-Chamond-Mondragón was specified in the 1890s by Mexican General Manuel Mondragón, designed mostly by Colonel Émile Rimailho, and produced by the French arms manufacturer Saint-Chamond. It was widely used by different forces during the Mexican Revolution.[2] It was also used in modified form to arm some of the French Saint-Chamond tanks deployed during the First World War.

Rear view

Saint-Chamond-Mondragón
Saint-Chamond 75 mm gun in the IDF History Museum.
Type	Field gun
Place of origin	Mexico
Service history
In service	1900-?
Production history
Designer	Manuel Mondragón
Manufacturer	Saint-Chamond
Specifications
Mass	Firing: 1,090 kg (2,400 lb) Travel: 1,770 kg (3,900 lb) with limber
Barrel length	2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) L/28.5
Shell	Fixed QF 7.2 kg (16 lb) Shrapnel 5.32 kg (11.7 lb) High explosive
Caliber	75 mm (3 in)
Breech	Interrupted screw
Carriage	Box trail
Elevation	-8° to +17°
Traverse	5° L/R[1]
Muzzle velocity	550 m/s (1,800 ft/s)
Effective firing range	6,500 m (7,100 yd)

Israel purchased a number of pieces from Mexico in 1948[3] and used them in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Because of its Mexican origin, the gun was known in Israel as Cucaracha. Three surviving pieces are on display in Israeli museums: two in the Israel Defense Forces History Museum in Tel Aviv, and one in Beyt ha-Gdudim museum in moshav Avihayil.