Hi Everyone,
I have been researching specific projectiles related to early British 3" QF artillery guns i.e.
QF 12 pdr 8-cwt
QF 12 pdr 12-cwt /12-cwt AA
QF 12 pdr 18-cwt
QF 14 pdr
QF 15 pdr
QF 13 pdr
##################################
Note The same could be queried on the BL side:
BL 12 pdr 6-cwt
BL 12 pdr 7-cwt
BL 15 pdr 7-cwt
BLC 15 pdr
##################################
and since the above all have the same common calibre (3" /76.2 mm) and differ only by the projectile's weight, in theory should the designated projectiles for each be inter-changeable between the various guns?
If so, is anyone aware of any documentation relating to this (field notices etc)?
To be more specific, would a designated 12 pdr projectile be capable of being fired say in a 13 pdr gun? (assuming that an appropriate 13 pdr case / charge is used, only the projectile would differ) Or are there physical limitations due to breech design differences etc to not permit this?
There are some snippets of information which allure to the above, apart from historical developments (e.g. the development of the BL 15 pdr when cordite replaced gun power in `1892 and it was deemed that a heavier projectile could be developed from the existing 12 pdr projectile). The snippets are best summarized in the attached diagrams highlighting the QF 12 & 14 pdr "Common Shell" (hence the name?) Or the Shot BL case for both the 15 & 12 pdrs?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cheers
Drew
I have been researching specific projectiles related to early British 3" QF artillery guns i.e.
QF 12 pdr 8-cwt
QF 12 pdr 12-cwt /12-cwt AA
QF 12 pdr 18-cwt
QF 14 pdr
QF 15 pdr
QF 13 pdr
##################################
Note The same could be queried on the BL side:
BL 12 pdr 6-cwt
BL 12 pdr 7-cwt
BL 15 pdr 7-cwt
BLC 15 pdr
##################################
and since the above all have the same common calibre (3" /76.2 mm) and differ only by the projectile's weight, in theory should the designated projectiles for each be inter-changeable between the various guns?
If so, is anyone aware of any documentation relating to this (field notices etc)?
To be more specific, would a designated 12 pdr projectile be capable of being fired say in a 13 pdr gun? (assuming that an appropriate 13 pdr case / charge is used, only the projectile would differ) Or are there physical limitations due to breech design differences etc to not permit this?
There are some snippets of information which allure to the above, apart from historical developments (e.g. the development of the BL 15 pdr when cordite replaced gun power in `1892 and it was deemed that a heavier projectile could be developed from the existing 12 pdr projectile). The snippets are best summarized in the attached diagrams highlighting the QF 12 & 14 pdr "Common Shell" (hence the name?) Or the Shot BL case for both the 15 & 12 pdrs?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cheers
Drew