21 cm Haubitze M1891

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	Weapon: 21 cm Haubitze M1891 Type: Howitzer Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1891 Caliber: 210mm Action: Breech-Loading Cannon Overall Length (mm): 3000.0 Overall Length (in): 118.11 Weight (kg): 13000.00 Weight (pounds): 28660.09 Effective Range (km): 8.5 Effective Range (miles): 5.28

The 21 cm Haubitze M1891 was a heavy howitzer developed by Krupp for the German Empire in the late 19th century. Designed as a siege and fortress artillery piece, it featured a large 210 mm caliber barrel capable of delivering high-explosive shells over considerable distances. The M1891 was a breech-loading weapon with a box-trail carriage and utilized a hydro-pneumatic recoil system, which was advanced for its time. Its relatively high trajectory and heavy shell weight made it highly effective against fortified positions, a key role for heavy howitzers in siege warfare.

The exact production figures for the 21 cm Haubitze M1891 remain unclear, but it was manufactured in significant numbers to equip the German Army's siege artillery units. It saw active service in several conflicts, particularly during the early stages of World War I, where it was used against Belgian and French fortifications. However, as warfare evolved and mobile artillery became more essential, the M1891 was gradually replaced by more modern and mobile designs, such as the 21 cm Morser 16, which offered improved range and firepower.

Despite its eventual obsolescence, the 21 cm Haubitze M1891 was a notable example of late 19th-century heavy artillery. It demonstrated the growing importance of high-caliber howitzers in siege warfare and influenced later German artillery designs. While most examples were scrapped after World War I due to disarmament treaties, a few surviving pieces can be found in museums and historical collections, serving as reminders of the transition from 19th-century fortress warfare to the more dynamic artillery engagements of the 20th century.