Talk:BL 8 inch Howitzer Mk 6 - 8

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The info I have about the version supplied to Finland is that it was the US-built version of the Vickers Mark 6, with the original short barrel. Why is the photo labelled Mk 7 ? Rcbutcher 05:28, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

The one exhibited in Helsinki has Mk VII stamped on the breech ring along with Midvale No 142.

This means it was manufactured by the Midvale Steel Co of Pittsburg. The number suggests it was originally in the UK order for 200 or 250, but was one of those diverted directly to the US Army when they entered the war. It also has a mils elevation scale, although it's not clear whether this is French mil circle/6400 used by the US or a Russian one circle/6000 as used by Finland. Interestingly UK archives hint at a small number of 8" How being delivered to Russia in 1917, but no one seems able to confirm this (delivery of 6" How is much clearer). Nfe 02:12, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the info.. Finnish sources have described it as 8 howitzer Mk 7 (Vickers Mk 6). The short appearance of the barrel to me looks like a Mk 6, unless there is another reason for this appearance. The Mk 7 and 8 barrels were much longer, looked more like gun barrels. Could there be some other meaning to the Mk VII stamp ? Rcbutcher 02:36, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

MUN5/373/9227

In Aug 1915 Vickers design approved (Mk 6). Barrel built up, safety shutter at the rear face of breech screw, -4 to +50 deg elev (Mk 7-8 0 to + 45). 4 deg traverse either way (Mks 1-5 had none), hydro-pneumatic recuperator and hydraulic buffer. Could be towed at 12 mph, Apr 1916 long raod showed could withstand strain trial. manufacture by Armstrongs and Beardmore, Vickers received produciton order for 80 in March 1916. COW also received orders in Apr 1916. Bearmores continued production until re-directed to concentrate on 6"How. Armstrong was main manufactuer throughout war. Apr 1916 Midvale Steel had order for 100, Woolwich had order for 60. Subsequently major assembles were contracted to even more UK companies.

Mk 6 use revealed design problems with the trail on very hard and soft ground, leading to recoil not functioning correctly. Commission sent to France to investigate, spade was removed, Vickers firing platform and scotches adopted.

Mk 7 designed by Vickers for longer range, introduced July 17. Very short barrel life including cracked A tubes. Barrel length 17.3 cal instead of 14.7, 12300 yds (1500 f/s) instead of 10760 (1300 f/s) (Mks 1-5 10500, 1301 f/s)

Mk 8 designed in 1916, strengthen and heavier (5 cwt) form of Mk 7, slightly more range but much stronger barrel.

US asked for 8"and 9.2"at the end of 1917, conf in Nov agree UK to supply them.

Shrapnel avail with Mk 6 & 7.

Refers to use of Christie tractor but Holt main one, steam tactors with winch repalced soem Holts.

Naming:

Ord BL 8"How Mk 6 on travelling carriage BL 8"How Mk 6 Ord BL 8"How Mks 7, 7*, 7** & 8 on carriage travelling BL 8" Mk 7.

Production (new guns):

Mk 6 - 1 (Mar 16), 141 (Jun-dec 16), 253 (17), 25 (18) Mk 7 - 92 (17), 166 (18) Mk 6(?)- Midvale 96 (17), 4 (18)

US took a further 80 from Midvale all others were ex UK.

Russia Mk 6 - 96 authorised, 8 delivered Mk 7 - 100 authorised, 24 delivered

Nfe 05:06, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

The figure of 32 to Russia is the same number as apparently obtained by Finland. Is it the same order, ? I can't see the US supplying them to the Bolsheviks. Could these in fact be the 32 that went to Finland, consisting of 8 Mk 6 & 24 Mk 7 ? Rcbutcher 06:54, 16 November 2007 (UTC)
I've updated the page with the info you gave above - would you care to review it ? Rcbutcher (talk) 10:26, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

The guns to Russia went in 1917 from UK (the info is from UK records), who knows what happened to them in the revolution and following Civil War. I assumed they were shipped thru Murmansk, the Baltic was a bit hostile to UK ships in 1917.

The info above comes from other files as well as MUN5, however I did the research 25 years ago. Nfe (talk) 07:43, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Canada had 2 btys on the Western Front and Aust 1. Nov 1918 RGA deployment of 8in btys was: UK - 1, BEF - 37, Macedonia 1. There was a mixed bty incl 8 in in Palestine.

Its explained in reasonble depth on my web site, but in 1939 UK had very few 8in, the need for more heavy arty with better performance led them to abandon 8in for the 7.2in. The remining 8in stocks of a few ordnance and quite a lot of carriages (used by 6 in Gun) were converted, not the same thing as 'cannibalise'. Barrels were lined down.

It is wrong to say UK next used 8in as M110, they first adopted the towed version circa 1961, but technically this wasn't M115. Its not clear whether they just bought barrels and put them on their 7.2in Mk 6 carriages or purchased complete equipments and fitted UK sights.Nfe (talk) 08:01, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your comments Nigel. I've updated numbers at the Armistice and removed the stuff about subsequent British 8 inch guns (somebody else put it there) as it isn't really relevant to the article and could take on a life of its own. I don't know much post-1920 so please feel free to update pages as you see fit - the transition between generations of artillery is important and requires much knowledge to adequately present it.Rcbutcher (talk) 04:45, 24 December 2007 (UTC)