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6 pdr Anti-Tank Gun

Gun

Mk 1 - Development model - not issued for service
Mk 2 - Production model towed carriage
Mk 3 - Tank gun - as Mk 2 but with lugs for tank mounting
Mk 4 - As Mk 2 but with barrel 16 inches longer & muzzle brake
Mk 5 - As Mk 3 but with barrel 16 inches longer and muzzle counterweight
C Mk 3, 4 & 5 - As Mks 3, 4 & 5 but Canadian made

Carriage

Mk 1 - Original split trail
Mk 1A - As Mk 1 but with different axle tree & wheels
C Mk 1 - As Mk 1 but Canadian made
Mk 2 - Simplified design - not adopted
Mk 3 - As Mk 1 but lightened for airborne use

Data - Mk 2 Gun on Carriage Mk 1

Wt gun & breech mech - 768 lb
Wt in action - 2,521 lb
Total length - 100.95 inches
Length of bore - 96.2 inches - 43 cal
Rifling - 24 grooves, uniform RH 1/30
Breech mech - Vertical sliding block, semi-automatic, percussion fired
Elevation - minus 5% to plus 15%
Traverse - 45% L&R
Recoil system - Hydrospring constant
Recoil length - 30 inches

Mk 4 Gun as above except:
Length of gun - 116.95 inches
Length of bore - 112.2 inches - 50 cal

First gun built & tested 1939, the design was then sealed until required. Production was further delayed because in 1940 it was decided to continue producing the 2 pdr rather than change over production and re-train crews when there was a severe shortage of anti-tank guns. First guns produced November 1941. The gun replaced the 2 pdr in RA units except for the Far East and later when stocks allowed, it was also issued to infantry units. Some were also given to the Soviet and US armies. Declared obsolete July 1960.

Performance

With 6 lb AP shot:
Muzzle velocity - 2,693 ft/sec
Max range - 5,500 yds
Penetration - 74 mm/1,000 yds/30%

Ammunition

Shot Armour Piercing Mks 1 to 7T - Steel solid shot - differences in tracer composition & driving band
Shot Armour Piercing Cap Mk 8T - Penetrative cap for face hardened plate
Shot Armour Piercing Cap Ballistic Cap Mk 9T - Penetration 88 mm/1,000 yds/30%, MV 2,775 ft/sec
Shot APCR Mk 1T - Tungsten core with Alloy body - limited production in Oct 1943
Shot Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot Mk 1T - Issued June 1944 - penetration 146 mm/1,000 yds, MV 4,050 ft/sec
Shell HE Mk 10T - TNT filled fitted with tracer & Percussion Fuze No. 243

Propelling Charge
Cordite or loose nitro-cellulose in fixed case