QF 6 pounder 6 cwt Hotchkiss
Encyclopedia
The Ordnance QF 6 pounder 6 cwt Hotchkiss Mk 1 and Mk 2 was a shortened version of the original QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss
, and was developed specifically for use in the sponsons of the later Marks of British tanks in World War I
, from Mark IV
onwards.
The original QF 6 pounder naval gun
had turned out to be too long for practical use with the current British heavy tank designs, which mounted guns in sponsons on the side rather than turrets on top as modern tanks do. The muzzle
s of the long barrels sometimes dug into the mud or struck obstacles when the vehicle crossed trenches
. The shortened 6 pounder 6 cwt Mk I of single tube construction was introduced in January 1917 in the Mark IV tank
, and may be considered the world's first specialised tank gun.
The shortened barrel incurred a reduction in muzzle velocity, but as tank guns in World War I were used against unarmoured or lightly armoured targets such as machine gun nests and artillery pieces at relatively short ranges of a few hundred yards, this was not a major disadvantage.
The Mk II gun was developed at the same time, having a built-up barrel construction.
The gun was reused in the Second World War, being fitted to the 12 Armoured Train
s operated in the United Kingdom. Just as with the tank mounting, the short barrel was an advantage, preventing fouling of line-side structures and bridges. The last British armoured trains (in Scotland) were decommissioned in 1944).
QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss
The QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss was a light 57 mm naval gun and coast defence gun of the late 19th century used by many countries, and was adapted for use in the early British tanks in World War I.- Canada History :...
, and was developed specifically for use in the sponsons of the later Marks of British tanks in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, from Mark IV
Mark IV tank
The British Mark IV tank was a British tank of the First World War. Introduced in 1917, it benefitted from significant developments on the first British tank the intervening designs being small batches used for training...
onwards.
History
QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss
The QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss was a light 57 mm naval gun and coast defence gun of the late 19th century used by many countries, and was adapted for use in the early British tanks in World War I.- Canada History :...
had turned out to be too long for practical use with the current British heavy tank designs, which mounted guns in sponsons on the side rather than turrets on top as modern tanks do. The muzzle
Muzzle (firearm)
The muzzle of a firearm is the end of the barrel from which the projectile will exit.Precise machining of the muzzle is crucial to accuracy, because it is the last point of contact between the barrel and the projectile...
s of the long barrels sometimes dug into the mud or struck obstacles when the vehicle crossed trenches
Trench warfare
Trench warfare is a form of occupied fighting lines, consisting largely of trenches, in which troops are largely immune to the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery...
. The shortened 6 pounder 6 cwt Mk I of single tube construction was introduced in January 1917 in the Mark IV tank
Mark IV tank
The British Mark IV tank was a British tank of the First World War. Introduced in 1917, it benefitted from significant developments on the first British tank the intervening designs being small batches used for training...
, and may be considered the world's first specialised tank gun.
The shortened barrel incurred a reduction in muzzle velocity, but as tank guns in World War I were used against unarmoured or lightly armoured targets such as machine gun nests and artillery pieces at relatively short ranges of a few hundred yards, this was not a major disadvantage.
The Mk II gun was developed at the same time, having a built-up barrel construction.
The gun was reused in the Second World War, being fitted to the 12 Armoured Train
Armoured train
An armoured train is a train protected with armour. They are usually equipped with railroad cars armed with artillery and machine guns. They were mostly used during the late 19th and early 20th century, when they offered an innovative way to quickly move large amounts of firepower...
s operated in the United Kingdom. Just as with the tank mounting, the short barrel was an advantage, preventing fouling of line-side structures and bridges. The last British armoured trains (in Scotland) were decommissioned in 1944).