Hoplophile Posted 14 July , 2012 Share Posted 14 July , 2012 Brassey's Annual for 1911 contains a short description of a 12-pounder "anti-balloon" gun produced by the Coventry Ordnance Works. While this description includes some technical details, it omits the caliber of the piece. Can anyone help me with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 14 July , 2012 Share Posted 14 July , 2012 Standard 12-pounder was 3-inch calibre. Presumably this variant used standard ammunition? Though it seems to have about 300 fps additional velocity compared to the Naval piece. This is a bit much to be accounted for by any extra barrel length. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoplophile Posted 14 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 14 July , 2012 The figure for muzzle velocity, which translates to 726 meters per secend, is a bit surprising, as it greatly excedes the figures for contemporary pieces of the same caliber. (The figure in the third column is barrel length, in calibers.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 14 July , 2012 Share Posted 14 July , 2012 The figure for muzzle velocity, which translates to 726 meters per secend, is a bit surprising, as it greatly excedes the figures for contemporary pieces of the same caliber. Hey, don't you go all Metric on this! This is an Imperial 12-pounder, not some 5,4432 kilogrammer... Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 14 July , 2012 Share Posted 14 July , 2012 Some of the coast defence 12 pounders were put on an AA mounting. These had an MV of 688 mps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 15 July , 2012 Share Posted 15 July , 2012 Extra muzzle velocity because the gun would be used for firing high angle shots most of the time perhaps ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 15 July , 2012 Share Posted 15 July , 2012 The 12-pounder 18 cwt. Naval gun had a heavier charge loaded in a separate cartridge, and this did 2,600 fps. The Balloon Gun may have been a variant of this. Still 3" calibre. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 15 July , 2012 Share Posted 15 July , 2012 Extra muzzle velocity because the gun would be used for firing high angle shots most of the time perhaps ? But you don't get that just by wishing for it. It's limited by the pressure-bearing capability of the gun structure, characteristics of the propellant and several other factors. That's why I'm thinking it would be based on the 18 cwt variant rather than the 8 or 12. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 15 July , 2012 Share Posted 15 July , 2012 Given that COW was originally established to manufacture naval ordnance, MikeB's suggestion that this may be a naval variant has some force. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 15 July , 2012 Share Posted 15 July , 2012 It's a pity they fell by the wayside as much as they did. On a suitable carriage and with decent piercing shot, this could've made a helluvan anti-tank gun to start WW2 with. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoplophile Posted 18 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 18 July , 2012 For those who prefer the use of Imperial measurements, I offer a new version of my chart, one which gives caliber in inches and muzzle velocity in furlongs per fortnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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