QF 14-pounder naval gun Mk I & II

The QF 14-pounder Mk I & II was a 3-inch high-velocity naval gun used to equip battleships for defence against torpedo boats. It was produced for export by Elswick Ordnance Company (Mk I) and Vickers, Sons and Maxim (Mk II). In Royal Navy service they were modified to use the standard 12-pounder shell, while the Italian Regia Marina used the original 14-pounder shells.

Ordnance QF 14-pounder Mk I & II
Type	Naval gun
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1904-19??
Used by	Royal Navy  Regia Marina
Wars	World War I
Production history
Designer	Vickers
Designed	1909
Manufacturer	Elswick Ordnance Company (Mk I) Vickers, Sons and Maxim (Mk II)
Specifications
Mass	1,904–2,016 lb (864–914 kg)
Barrel length	150 in (3.8 m) (bore) (50 calibres)
Shell	QF British: 12.5 lb (5.67 kg) QF Italian: 14.1 lb (6.40 kg)
Calibre	3 in (76.2 mm)
Rate of fire	10 rpm
Muzzle velocity	British: 2,548 ft/s (777 m/s) Italian: 3,051 ft/s (930 m/s)

Service

• The gun equipped the two Swiftsure-class pre-dreadnought battleships built in Britain for Chile and purchased by the UK in 1903 before completion.
• The gun also equipped the three Conte di Cavour-class dreadnought battleships of the Regia Marina.
• The gun also equipped the two Andrea Doria-class dreadnought battleships of the Regia Marina.
• The gun also equipped the two Pisa-class armored cruisers of the Regia Marina.

British ammunition

In British service the guns fired the same 3-inch, 12.5 lb shell as QF 12-pounder guns.

Cordite Cartridges circa. 1905	Mk II Common pointed shell	Mk II & Mk III Common Lyddite shell	Mk IV Common Lyddite shell with internal night tracer, 1914

See also

• List of naval guns

References

• Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-84832-100-7.

External links

• http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNIT_3-50_m1909.php