QF 14 pounder Maxim-Nordenfelt

• Name — Ordnance QF 14-pounder • Origin — United Kingdom • Type — Naval gun • Is Ranged — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Is Uk — yes • Service — 1894-19?? • Used By — Various countries Victorian Naval Forces • Wars — World War I • Design Date — 189? • Manufacturer — Maxim-Nordenfelt • Weight — 1638 lb • Part Length — 135 inbore (45 calibres) • Cartridge — separate QF 14 lb or 12.5 lb • Caliber — 3 in • Velocity — 2100 ft/s (14 lb shell) • Max Range — 8000 yd (14 lb shell)

The gun equipped ships built in Britain for various foreign navies including Chile.

In 1897, two guns were mounted on Cerberus, of the Colonial Navy of Victoria (Australia). In 1900, these guns were removed, mounted on field carriages and went to China with the Victorian Naval Contingent – a part of British forces in the Boxer Rebellion. These two guns were non-standard and fired QF fixed rounds (i.e. the cartridge was loaded with shell attached) unlike the standard guns which fired separate ammunition (i.e. shell and cartridge loaded as separate items). They were therefore left behind in China in favour of the standard QF 12-pounder. In Victorian naval service in the 1890s the gun is reported as firing a shell weighing 14 lbs to a range of 8,000 yards with a muzzle velocity of 2100 ft/second, using a 6.5 lb black powder charge.

14-pounders were used for coastal defence at Fort Nepean, Fort Pearce and Fort Queenscliff.

In British service the guns fired the same 3-inch 12.5 lb shell as QF 12-pounder guns. • — — — • Cordite Cartridges circa. 1905 — Mk II Common pointed shell — Mk II & Mk III Common Lyddite shell — Mk IV Common Lyddite shell with internal night tracer, 1914