RML 7 pounder Mountain Gun

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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 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.

1 History
2 Combat Use
- 2.1 Second Boer War
3 Notes
4 References
5 See also
6 Surviving examples
7 External links

[edit] History

An example from 1885, at Royal Armoury, Fort Nelson, UK

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It was superseded by the RML 2.5 inch Mountain Gun from 1879.

[edit] 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]

[edit] Second Boer War

Boers with guns on mountain carriages captured at Kraaipan at the beginning of the war

Gun on field carriage at Mafeking

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]