The Knapp Gun is located next to the old Dominion Observatory, a few minutes walk from the top of the cable car (Botanical Gardens).
The guns have a great view over Wellington’s Harbour. The gun was never part of the coastal defence system that are dotted around the South Coast of the North Island.
The gun was made in 1907 in Germany by Fried. Krupp AG. It was used during WW1by The Prussian Foot Guards Artillery Regiment.
The gun was captured in 1918 at La Vacquerie where the New Zealand Army was part of the attack in that area.
At the end of the war the gun and many other items were sent to New Zealand as war trophy’s.In 1920 it was given to Wellington as a memorial to those soldiers from Wellington.
For the best part of 80 years it was on display at Newtown park before being moved to its current location.
It is is thought that out of the 190 or so that were built it is the only one that has survived.
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