QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss
Family of light 57mm naval guns / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Ordnance QF Hotchkiss 6 pounder gun Mk I and Mk II or QF 6 pounder 8 cwt were a family of long-lived light 57 mm naval guns introduced in 1885 to defend against new, small and fast vessels such as torpedo boats and later submarines. There were many variants produced, often under license which ranged in length from 40 to 58 calibers, but 40 caliber was the most common version.
| QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss | |
|---|---|
 Early Elswick gun on recoil mounting | |
| Type | |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1885–1990 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | See Wars |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hotchkiss et Cie |
| Designed | 1883 |
| Manufacturer | Elswick |
| No. built | 3,984 (UK) |
| Variants | 40 to 58 caliber |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 821–849 lb (372–385 kg) barrel & breech[1] |
| Length | 8.1 ft (2.5 m) |
| Barrel length | 7.4 ft (2.3 m) 40 caliber |
| Shell | 57x307R; see ammunition section |
| Calibre | 57-millimetre (2.244 in) |
| Breech | Vertical sliding-block |
| Recoil | Hydro-spring, 4 inch |
| Elevation | Dependent on mount |
| Rate of fire | 25 / minute[2] |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,818 feet per second (554 m/s)[3] |
| Effective firing range | 4,000 yards (3,700 m)[4] |
6-pounders were widely used by the navies of a number of nations and often used by both sides in a conflict. Due to advances in torpedo delivery and performance, 6-pounder guns were rapidly made obsolete and were replaced with larger guns aboard most larger warships. This led to their being used ashore during World War I as coastal defense guns, the first tank guns and as anti-aircraft guns, whether on improvised or specialized HA/LA mounts. During World War II 6-pounder guns were put back in service to arm small warships and as coastal defense guns. The last ships to carry 6-pounders were the Aegir-class offshore patrol vessels of the Icelandic Coast Guard[citation needed] which replaced them in 1990 with Bofors 40 mm autocannons.