8 cm Kanone C/80

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	Weapon: 8 cm Kanone C/80 Type: Heavy Cannon Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1880 Caliber: 75mm Action: Breech-Loading Cannon Overall Length (mm): 2000.0 Overall Length (in): 78.74 Weight (kg): 850.00 Weight (pounds): 1873.93 Effective Range (km): 6 Effective Range (miles): 3.73

The 8 cm Kanone C/80 was a German field gun developed in the late 19th century as part of the Imperial German Army's artillery modernization efforts. Designed in 1880, it featured a steel barrel with a built-up construction and a breech-loading mechanism, which was a significant improvement over muzzle-loading artillery of the previous era. The C/80 used a Krupp-style sliding block breech system, allowing for faster reloading and improved efficiency on the battlefield. It was chambered for fixed ammunition and had a relatively long barrel for its time, contributing to increased range and accuracy.

The production figures for the 8 cm Kanone C/80 remain somewhat unclear, but it was manufactured in significant numbers and served as a primary light artillery piece for German forces during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was used extensively in colonial campaigns, such as those in Africa during the German Empire's expansion. By the time of World War I, however, the C/80 was largely obsolete and had been replaced by more modern quick-firing field guns. Despite this, some remained in secondary service or were repurposed for static defense.

While the 8 cm Kanone C/80 was never as famous as some of Germany's later artillery pieces, it played a crucial role in transitioning the German military to breech-loading field guns. Its use in colonial conflicts cemented its place in the history of Imperial German military expansion. Today, surviving examples of the C/80 are rare, primarily found in museums and private collections, where they serve as historical artifacts representing the evolution of 19th-century artillery technology.