QF 6 pdr

The QF 6-pdr 7 cwt was a British anti-tank gun of World War 2. It was first used in North Africa in April 1942. It allowed the QF 25 pdr to revert to the normal artillery role.

Development

The design process had started with in 1938. The gun design was completed by 1940, but the carriage was not complete until 1941. A new production line was built rather than lose 2 pounder production.

Specification

• Bore 2.24 " (57mm)
• Shell types
  • AP
  • APC
  • APCBC
  • APCR
  • APDS
• Penetration: 60 to 140mm at 1000 yards depending on shell/gun combination
• Crew: 6
• Weight: including Carriage: 2520 lbs
• Traverse: 45 degrees left and right of centre.

The gun carriage was split trail type with a large gun shield.

Variants

• Mk 2 – original version
• Mk 3 – tank version of Mk 2
• Mk 4 – longer barrel, single baffle muzzle brake.
• Mk 5 – tank version of Mk 4
• Airlanding  – modified axle to fit in Horsa glider.
• 57-mm M1 – US built Mk IV without muzzlebrake
• Molins gun – automatic loader version as fitted to RAF Mosquito planes.

See also

• 6 pdr 6 cwt AA gun
• 6 pdr 10 cwt Naval gun