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2 pdr Anti-Tank Gun

Gun

Mk 9 - Original design - auto-frettaged barrel
Mk 9A - Approved 1940 - non auto-frettaged, some tolerances relaxed to speed up production
Mk 10 - Approved 1936 - higher grade steel, non auto-frettaged
Mk 10A - As Mk 10 but dimensional tolerances relaxed
Mk 10B - Fitted for Littlejohn muzzle adaptor

Data

Wt gun & breech mech - 287 lbs
Wt in action - 1,757 lbs
Total length - 81.95 inches
Length of bore - 78.75 inches
Rifling - 12 grooves uniform RH 1/30
Breech mech - Vertical sliding block, semi-automatic, percussion fired
Elevation - Minus 13� to plus 15� on platform
Minus 5� to plus 23� on wheels
Traverse - 360� on platform 14� L & 10� R on wheels
Recoil system - Hydrospring constant
Recoil length - 20 inches

Approved for service on 1 January 1936. Although nearing the end of its life by 1939 it continued in production until 1941. It was replaced in RA service in the summer of 1942 by the 6 pdr except in the Far East where it was still effective against Japanese tanks. Remaining guns were passed to the infantry and some to the Home Guard. It was declared obsolete in December 1945.

Performance

With 2 lb AP shot:
Muzzle velocity - 2,650 ft/sec
Max range - 8,000 yds
Penetration - 42 mm/1,000 yds/30%

Ammunition

Shot Armour Piercing Mk 10T - 2 lb solid steel, tracer in base
Shell Armour Piercing Mk 1 - Original specification - withdrawn in favour of Shot AP
Shot Armour Piercing Cap Ballistic Cap Mk 9BT - Solid shot, tracer
Shell HE Mk 2T - TNT filled, Base Percussion Fuze No 243

Propelling Charge
In fixed brass case