RML 6.3-inch howitzer

• Name — RML 6.3-inch howitzer • Origin — United Kingdom • Type — Howitzer • Is Artillery — yes • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Uk — yes • Used By — British Empire • Wars — *Anglo-Egyptian War • Second Boer War • Production Date — 1878 • Weight — 2016 lb barrel • Part Length — 3 ft bore (7.14 calibres) • Cartridge — 70 lb • Caliber — 6.3 in • Action — RML • Velocity — 751 ft/s • Range — 4000 yd • Traverse — nil

Ten 6.3 in Howitzers were landed in Egypt in 1882 to form part of a Royal Artillery Siege Train during the Anglo-Egyptian War, however they were not used in action. Many were mounted in Forts and batteries around the United Kingdom as part of the fixed defences scheme. Most were dismounted and scrapped after 1902. A number of RML 6.3 in howitzers were used by the British forces during the Second Boer War, normally mounted on 40 pr RML carriages.

• Illustration — Mk I studless common shell, 1886 The 6.3 in Howitzer used a number of different types of projectiles, depending on the selected target. This included common shell for use against buildings, earthworks or vehicles, or shrapnel shell for use against 'soft' targets, such as infantry or cavalry on open ground. Case shot could be used against soft targets at close range, typically less than 400 yd. The howitzer used black powder propellant, in silk bags which were ignited by friction tube. The gun was the first British rifled muzzle-loader to dispense entirely with studs on shells to impart spin: its shells from the beginning had gas checks attached to their base which expanded and engaged with rifling on firing to impart spin to the shell.

• Illustration — One of the two guns used during the Siege of Ladysmith Two of these guns, called Castor and Pollux, used during the Siege of Ladysmith, stand in front of the Ladysmith town hall. They have been declared Heritage Objects by the South African Heritage Resource Agency. Both the guns and their ammunition were outdated by the time of the siege and they tended to make a lot of smoke when fired.