Davis Gun

History of the Davis Gun

Back in the First World War (1914-1918) - warfare that introduced aircraft as a viable combat platform - aircraft engineers attempted to fit artillery onto fighter jets and bombers. Numerous tests were conducted, although few achieved mainstream success, until the airframe could develop its own way and grow into more powerful firing platforms, such as those seen in the ensuing 1939-1945 World Wars.

U.S. Commander Cleland Davis of the United States Navy (USN) researched a device designed to reduce the recoil of these large artillery pieces on aircraft, and eventually provided the U.S. Army with his " Davis Recoilless Gun". The basic concept of 1911 used a barrel that was open at both ends - breech and muzzle.

The tube is dragged along its inner wall to give the shot projectile a whirling effect. The propellant charge and projectile are inserted into the barrel, while a recoil counterweight consisting of a mixture of grease and lead is placed behind the propellant/projectile pair as a counterweight.

When the charge is ignited, both the propellant and the counterweight are expelled from the barrel in opposite directions, somewhat counteracting the recoil that such a weapon would normally generate.

Despite its value, only the USN service played a significant role in weapons. These were mainly mounted on the large seaplanes in use at the time, and provided considerable firepower to enemy surface ships (including surface submarines) and airships. In a typical arrangement, the Lewis trainable machine gun was mounted above the Davis machine gun and used as a rangefinder while retaining its basic anti-aircraft function. The U.S. Navy will continue to use three different caliber recoilless gunsthe 47mm, 65mm and 75mm typeseach capable of firing projectiles from 2lb to 12lb.

The British had considered the Davis gun, but chose not to continue its mass use.

The recoilless principle is still in use today - albeit with proper modernization in shoulder-fired weapon systems primarily used to destroy armor and fortifications. The Swedish Carl Gustaf line of guns is one of the most recognizable modern options.

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