OQF 3-pounder gun
Ordnance QF 3 pounder gun Mk I, Mk II | |
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![]() On a Medium Mk II (special) tank at the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Tank Museum, Puckapunyal, Victoria, Australia | |
Type | Tank gun |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
In service | 1924–1940 |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Variants | Mk I, Mk II |
Specifications | |
Barrel length | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) bore (32 cal) or 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) (40 cal) |
Shell | 47x351R. 1.47 kg (3 lb 4 oz) shell. |
Calibre | 47-millimetre (1.85 in) |
Muzzle velocity | 560 m/s (1,840 ft/s) (40 cal gun) |
The Ordnance QF 3 pounder 2 cwt gun was a 47 mm British tank gun based on the Ordnance QF 3 pounder Vickers naval gun, mounted on Vickers-built tanks in the 1920s and 1930s. The gun was produced in 31 calibre (59 inch) and 40 calibre (74 inch) versions. The weapon only fired a solid shot, and was stated in the requirements of the A6 series of Vickers Medium tanks to have the ability to penetrate the armour of contemporary hostile tanks at a range of 1000 yards. The Vickers Medium Mark I was equipped with the Ordnance Quick Firing 2cwt Mark I version of the weapon, whilst from the Vickers Medium Mark II the Mark II version of the 3-pounder was utilized.
Even though other European countries still fielded similar weapons (e. g., Cannone da 47/32) at the start of the Second World War (and quite a few years into it), due to its comparatively low muzzle velocity the 3-pounder was considered obsolete by the war start by the British, with the Ordnance QF 2-pounder replacing it as the standard tank gun of British tanks.
Usage[]
- Vickers Medium Mark I
- Vickers Medium Mark II
- Medium Mark III
- A6E1
- Vickers A1E1 Independent
- Vickers 6-Ton
See also[]
References[]
- Anthony G Williams, 38-47 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES
- David Fletcher, 'British Battle Tanks: World War I to 1939', Oxford: Osprey Publishing
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- 47 mm artillery
- World War II tank guns
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- Tank guns of the United Kingdom
- Military equipment introduced in the 1920s
- Artillery stubs