What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

What does QF mean?

C

charlie1

Member
Ive noticed a lot of Artillery has a QF prefix, Ive googled it and still cant find what it stands for! Can anyone enlighten me please?
 
I always thought that QF was the same thing as SQ, that is, referring to the fuze type. I learn something new every day. If I live long enough I'll know everything.

Ray
 
QF or SQ same thing - fujzing, nothing to do with fixed amoo.
John
 
John

I guess I just un-learned something, that I thought I had learned. ;) ;)

Ray
 
Last edited:
John,

This side of the Atlantic, QF is Quick Firing. There are a few QF ordnance pieces that use 'separate ammunition' namely the 25 pounder.

TimG
 
British and hence the Empire take QF to mean quick firing in that the propelling charge and primer are contained in a cartridge case that provides the breech gas tight seal.
 
TimG and 2pounder spot on.

Quick fire guns are split into 2 classes - fixed and seperate ammunition

Fixed

1,3,6,13 pdr etc

Seperate

12 pdr, 14 pdr, 15 pdr, 4.7", 6" etc

Lots of good information in the Treatise on Ammunition 1915.

Pete
 
Pete,

I haven't got my copy to hand - does it give a definition of QF? I thought then, the criteria also required a fast action breech as well as recoil suppression.

Field Artillery User Manual of 1958 is quite specific - if its not a B.L. and uses a cartridge case its QF! But the range of artillery pieces we had then was rather limited, compared to WWI.

Regards

Tim
 
Basically, regarding the ammunition it's what 2pounder said. I can't find any mention of the gun itself, but that maybe because it's. very late here and i was up early watching the rugby. ;-)
 
I'm pretty sure that on this side of the pond we used QF on the guns also, I think namely 3 pdr, 6 pdr and 3". I think also synonymous with semi-automatic (breach mechanism), but could be wrong. Never heard it in relation to fuzing, though. Could be a Navy thing:tinysmile_twink_t2: (though I think the Navy used the QF guns:hmmmm2:) Cheers, Bruce.
 
Bruce - I was Navy and never heard the term Quick Fire used to describe a USN gun. It could have been before my time, however. The 3"/50 introduced at the end of WW II was called a Rapid Fire, as was the later 5"/54. They were made possible by the invention of the Proximity Fuze (VT).

Ray
 
Last edited:
Ray, It was around the turn of the century when the 3 pdr and 6 pdr were prevalent. I don't know if the 3" 23 cal fell into that class or they changed the nomenclature. The 3"/50 was a nice gun. They practice fired it on the Unstable (Barnstable) County when I had the good fortune (sarcasm ends) to be a passenger on that flat bottomed... ship. Only ship I've ever seen that, during heavy seas, had waves on the INSIDE (forward and aft turn styles). Get green just thinking about it. Cheers, Bruce.
 
In British military terminology we have used the phrases - "Quick Firing Fixed, Semi-Fixed, and Separate" to distinguish rounds of artillery/tank ammunition from those systems that comprise bag charges, projectiles, and vent tubes in the breech.
 
In British service the term crept in circa 1880 for the Navy from the use of 'quick firing' by Hotchiss and Nordenfelt when 3Pr and 6Pr Ordnance was acquired, and initially the rounds were what would be called QF Fixed. Gradually other home grown Ordnance took advantage of ammunition made up as complete rounds, or as mentioned previously semi-fixed or separate projectiles, using a metal cartridge case for obturation, rapid cooling and removal.

QFC was also used to describe Ordnance converted to QF.
 
Handbook of Artillery Material 1899 by F. C. MORGAN, Lieut.-Colonel Royal Artillery.

Definition of Q.F. Guns.The class of ordnance known now as quick-firing guns differ from ordinary pieces in their being more rapidly loaded, laid and fired.
Quicker loading is obtained by using a quicker acting breech mechanism; and also by using metallic cases for the charge, and in lighter natures by attaching the projectile also to the case. By the use of a metallic case sponging and ramming home are rendered unnecessary, also the case provides an efficient obturator, and keeps the gun cool and free from fouling, its disadvantage being a considerable addition to the cost and weight of ammunition. Rapid laying is obtained by employing mountings in which the gun recoils in a cradle, buffers being used, and the piece is pushed forward again into the firing position by springs. This method is easy of application to a fixed mounting, but it is otherwise with a wheeled carriage.

Field Branch Artillery Ammunition 1958

CLASSIFICATION
10. In the past equipments were classified by the means of obturation employed. obturation is used to describe the sealing of the rear end of the chamber against propellant gases escaping rearwards.

11. Q.F. Ordnance The propelling charge is contained in a brass or steel cartridge case, the case providing the means of obturation.

There are two types:-
(a) Fixed The case is firmly attached to the projectile and the whole assembled round is loaded as a unit. Loading is quick but it is not practicable to vary the propellant charge without changing the complete round.
(b) Separate The cartridge case is entirely separate and the projectile is rammed home before the cartridge is loaded. The charge is variable.

There are, without doubt, even later definitions.

TimG
 
One of the great things about Forums like BOCN is that the Qs and As often cause me to question some of my previous notions and to do a little reasearch. I did some digging and found several references to the British QF designation for artillery, but I have yet to find where QF was used to describe any USN guns or ammunition. That, in spite of the fact that most of the guns were the same, on both sides of the pond.

Ray
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top