BL 10-inch Mk I – IV naval gun

The BL 10 inch guns Mks I, II, III, IVMks I, II, III, IV = Marks 1, 2, 3, 4. Britain used Roman numerals to designate marks (models) of ordnance until after World War II. Hence this article covers the four models of British BL 10-inch guns. were British rifled breechloading 32-calibre naval and coast defence guns in service from 1885.

History The British 10-inch calibre originated with the Committee on Ordnance in 1879 when it ordered a new 10.4-inch gun together with the new 9.2-inch Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 176 as part of its transition from muzzle-loading to breech-loading guns. The proposed 10.4-inch gun eventually went into service in 1885 as a 10-inch gun firing a 500-pound projectile.

After Mk IV of 1889 the Royal Navy discontinued the 10-inch calibre in favour of 9.2-inch and 12-inch.

Naval service

Mks II, III and IV guns were interchangeable and equipped the following warships : Victoria-class battleships laid down in 1885 Centurion-class battleships laid down in 1890 Renown laid down in 1893 Devastation-class battleships as re-gunned in 1890

25-ton gun for Victoria A 25-ton version with a barrel of 300 inches (30 calibres) and firing a 450-pound projectile was supplied in 1884 to the Australian colony of Victoria, mounted on the gunboat HMVS Victoria.Manual for Victorian naval forces 1887. HMVS Cerberus website This gun was subsequently replaced on Victoria by an 8-inch gun, and in 1887 was mounted at Fort Franklin as a coast defence gun.David Spethman, The Garrison Guns of Australia 1788-1962 page 89, published by Ron H Mortensen, Inala, Qld, 2008.

Coast defence gun Mk I was an Elswick Ordnance design used only for coastal defence. Mks II, III and IV were interchangeable Woolwich Arsenal designs used on warships but also for coastal defense around the British Empire, some on disappearing carriages.DiGiulian

BL 10-inch Mk I – IV naval gun

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