The mle 1880 was originally built without a recoil mechanism and in order to traverse the carriage needed to be levered into position before and after each shot.

[2] The mortars could also be transferred to 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) narrow gauge rail wagons for the final leg to their firing positions.

[3] Site preparation included creating a firing platform made of wooden beams on soft ground.

The 130 mortars modified were designated as the mle 1880/1891 and consisted of a U-shaped gun cradle which held the trunnioned barrel and a slightly inclined firing platform with hydraulic buffers.

[2] The Mortier de 220 mm L modèle 1880 was a French heavy mortar employed as siege artillery during the First World War.

In an effort to improve the mobility of the mle 1880, 100 mortars were given six-wheeled carriages called Affût de Circonstance Schneider.