Indian 4.5 Howiters

[gremlin666]

Some British 4.5 inch Mk II Howitzers I discovered in India recently. All manufactured by Coventry Ordnance Works in 1916-18 in not too bad a condition. Picture 3 is very a interesting example, the stamps on the breech are all in Cyrillic script. Originally destined for the Russian Army. Any ideas on this one?
More images at: https://studio-octavio.photoshelter.com/gallery/RELICS/G0000xLz6tDgLW0Q/

 

[M8owner]

The second photo clearly shows the Russian word "гаубица" or howitzer on the breech. I will bet it was made to help the White Russians out during the revolution. It might have been diverted to India because it would have arrived too late.

 

[gremlin666]

Working on a translation of the stampings, with missing text I'm now pretty certain its the nomenclature of the weapon, the nearest English equivalent reads '4.5 Inch quick firing howitzer'. I'm sure you are right about the gun being made for White Russians and diverted. Interestingly the guns are located in an Ex Portuguese Union Territory of India. The Portuguese Army were equipped with the 4.5 Howitzer using them on the Western Front officially designated Obus 11,4 cm TR m/1917. They may well may have been some of these or supplied to them post WW1

The second photo clearly shows the Russian word "гаубица" or howitzer on the breech. I will bet it was made to help the White Russians out during the revolution. It might have been diverted to India because it would have arrived too late.