Development of the mle 1890 began in 1886 at the Atelier-de-précision in Paris, following a request by the French Army for a mobile heavy howitzer capable of high angle fire.

When the gun fired the cradle recoiled backward, while the lower part stayed anchored.

This style of carriage and recoil system did not find wider acceptance due to its insufficient performance.

Fortresses, armories, coastal fortifications, and museums were scoured for heavy artillery and sent to the front.

[3] In August 1914, 134 mle 1890s were assigned to régiments d'artillerie lourde de campagne (heavy field artillery regiments) and régiments d'artillerie à pied (fortress artillery regiments) in forts of the Séré de Rivières.