QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss 47 mm L/40 M1885
& QF 3-pounder
A Royal Navy 3-pounder gun on a central pivot mount in 1915.
TypeNaval gun
Anti-aircraft gun
Coastal artillery
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1886–1950s
Used bySee users section
WarsSee wars section
Production history
DesignerHotchkiss
Designed1885
ManufacturerHotchkiss et Cie
Produced1886
No. built2,950 (UK)
Variants32 to 50 calibers in length[1]
Specifications
Mass240 kg (530 lb)
Length2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Barrel length1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) 40 caliber

ShellFixed QF 47 × 376 mm R
Complete: 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Projectile: 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)[2]
Calibre47 mm (1.9 in)
BreechVertical sliding-wedge
ElevationDependent on mount
Rate of fire30 rpm[3]
Muzzle velocity571 m/s (1,870 ft/s)
Maximum firing range5.9 km (3.7 mi) at +20°
4.5 km (2.8 mi) at +80°

The QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss or in French use Canon Hotchkiss à tir rapide de 47 mm were a family of long-lived light 47 mm naval guns introduced in 1886 to defend against new, small and fast vessels such as torpedo boats and later submarines. There were many variants produced, often under license which ranged in length from 32 to 50 calibers but 40 caliber was the most common version. They were widely used by the navies of a number of nations and often used by both sides in a conflict. They were also used ashore as coastal defense guns and later as an anti-aircraft gun, whether on improvised or specialized HA/LA mounts.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "38–37 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-03-16. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  3. ^ 30 rounds per minute is the figure given by Elswick Ordnance for their 40-calibres model. Quoted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1901