M101 Howitzer - Variants

Variants

Gun variants:

• M1920 - prototype.
• M1925E - prototype.
• T2, standardized as M1.
• M2 (1934) - minor changes to the chamber to allow use of fixed ammunition.
• M2A1 (1940) - modified breech ring.
• M3 - lightweight howitzer, with barrel shortened by 27 inches.
• T8, standardized as M4 - vehicle-mounted variant with modified breech and with cylindrical recoil surface.
• M101 - post-war designation of M2A1 on carriage M2A1
• M101A1 - post-war designation of M2A1 on carriage M2A2
• C3 - Canadian C1 (M2A1) with lengthened, 33-caliber barrel

Carriage variants:

• M1920E - prototype, split trail.
• M1921E - prototype, box trail.
• M1925E - prototype, box trail.
• T2, standardized as M1 - split trail, wooden wheels.
• M1A1 - M1 carriages rebuilt with new wheels, brakes and other parts.
• T3 - prototype.
• T4 - prototype.
• T5, standardized as M2 (1940) - split trail, steel wheels with pneumatic tires.
• M2A1 - electric brakes removed.
• M2A2 - modified shield.
• XM124 & XM124E1 Light Auxiliary Propelled Howitzer - prototype (1962-1965) - produced by Sundstrand Aviation Corporation, who added an auxiliary drive system for local maneuverability (See also similar XM123 Medium Auxiliary Propelled 155mm Howitzer with similar configuration). The base XM124 provided two 20 horsepower, air-cooled engines, while the XM124E1 provided a single 20 horsepower engine and electric steering.
• M2A2 Terra Star Auxiliary Propelled Howitzer - prototype (1969-1977) - Lockheed Aircraft Service Company added an auxiliary drive system and a tri-star wheel system to the carriage of an M2A2 105mm Light Howitzer to provide local maneuverability. The last surviving example is at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.