QF 3-pounder Nordenfelt

The QF 3-pounder Nordenfelt was a light 47 mm quick-firing naval gun and coast defence gun of the late 19th century used by many countries.

This article is about the QF 3-pounder Nordenfelt gun. For other 3-pounder weapons, see 3-pounder gun.
QF 3-pounder Nordenfelt
At Melbourne Town Hall, 1895
TypeNaval gun
Coast defence gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1885–19??
Used byMany countries
Production history
Designed1885
ManufacturerNordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company
Maxim-Nordenfelt
Specifications
MassUK 45-cal version : 452 pounds (205 kg) barrel & breech[1]
Length45 calibres
ShellFixed QF 3 lb 4 oz (1.5 kg)
Calibre47-millimetre (1.850 in)
BreechVertical sliding-block with locking wedge
Muzzle velocity1,959 ft/s (597 m/s)[2]
Maximum firing range4,000 yd (3,700 m)[2]

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom only deployed this gun for coast defence, and soon discarded it in favour of the similar QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun for both coast defence and naval use.

Ammunition

Ammunition was in "fixed rounds" : the projectile and brass cartridge case were loaded as a single unit. The gun used the same ammunition as the similar QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss, with either Nordenfelt or Hotchkiss fuzes. When introduced in the 1880s the propellant used was gunpowder, in British service Cordite Mark I was used as propellant from the mid-1890s onwards.

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

Notes

    References
    1. Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 32
    2. Hogg & Thurston 1972, Page 32 quote 4,000 yards (3,700 m) with muzzle velocity 1,959 ft/s (597 m/s), for the British 45-calibres model in 1914 using 6oz 6dr cordite Mk 1 propellant.

    Bibliography
    • I.V. Hogg and L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914–1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972.
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