RML 7-pounder mountain gun
| Ordnance RML 7 pounder Mountain Gun | |
|---|---|
 No. 4 (Hazara) Mountain Battery with RML 7 pounder circa. 1895 | |
| Type | mountain gun |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1873 - 19? |
| Used by | British Empire India |
| Wars | Second Boer War |
| Specifications | |
| Shell | ML, 7lb 11 oz (shrapnel) 7lb 4oz (Common) 12lb 4oz (Double)[1] |
| Calibre | 3 inch[1] |
| Traverse | nil |
| Muzzle velocity | 968 ft/s |
| Maximum firing range | 3000 yds[1] |
The Ordnance RML 7 pounder "Steel Gun" was a rifled muzzle-loading mountain gun primarily used by the Indian Army. 7 pounder referred to the approximate weight of the shell it fired.
History
Development began in 1864 to replace the RBL 6 pounder 2.5-inch (64 mm) gun of 3cwt, which had proved too heavy for a mountain gun. Several Mks of 7 pounder RML of 2 cwt were tried in 1865 by boring out and rifling old SBML bronze guns, but were still too heavy.[2]
Several Mks of new steel barrels (the first British all-steel gun, hence the name "Steel Gun") were then produced of 190 lb (86 kg) and 150 lb (68 kg) but were not considered powerful enough.[2]
Mk IV of 200 lb (91 kg) with a longer bore was settled on for production in 1873.
It was superseded by the RML 2.5 inch Mountain Gun from 1879.
Combat Use
It could be assembled and a round loaded in 20 seconds. Its Common shell was considered ineffective. To give it a high angle capability, a Double shell was produced of increased length and containing a larger bursting charge. This was fired with a reduced charge, but the low muzzle velocity did not always arm the fuze, or prevent the over-long projectile from somersaulting. Shell rotation was effected by studs on the body of the shell. Elevation was by quoin or wedge and by screw. [3]
Second Boer War
The gun was employed mounted on armoured trains and used by local militia forces early in the war.
It was also employed mounted on normal Field carriages with larger wheels which increased mobility in the long grass and allowed it to be towed by horses.[3]
Notes
References
- Major Darrell D Hall, "Guns in South Africa 1899-1902" in The South African Military History Society Military History Journal - Vol 2 No 1, June 1971
- Major Darrell D. Hall, "Field Artillery of the British Army 1860-1960. Part I, 1860 - 1900" in The South African Military History Society. Military History Journal - Vol 2 No 4, December 1972 (web page is incorrectly titled 1900-1914)
- W. L. Ruffell, The Gun - Rifled Ordnance: Mountain Artillery. RML 7 pounder
See also
Surviving examples
External links
- Pietro Bello Photogallery of the suviving example at the Firepower, Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich Royal Arsenal, London
- MAJOR G. TYLDEN, ED, The South African Military History Society Military History Journal - Vol 1 No 2. Further Notes on Early Rhodesian Military Units and Early Rhodesia's Weapons
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