the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

BRITISH 6-POUNDER
174
Mounted as a field gun or as the principal
weapon in the "Churchill" tank, Britain's 6-pounder
has proved its antitank value. It is also used portee,
at times.
As a field gun its total weight is 2,800 pounds.
Trails can be spread to any width, then clamped in
position. No. 1 (our "Gunner") sits on the left trail,
where he traverses by means of a shoulder pad and
handles elevation by means of a handwheel.
The breech block, of vertical sliding block type,
is especially interesting. It is held in its open
position by extractor levers which, when forced
forward when the piece is loaded, release a
compressed spring that automatically closes the
breech. This system permits firing up to about 2
rounds per minute.
Caliber is 2.24″, and both recoil and recuperator
systems are hydraulic.
Besides the double front shield shown here, the
carriage is also provided with wing shields to
protect the crew from side-spray.