BL 6-inch Mk XXIII naval gun
The 50 calibre BL 6 inch gun Mark XXIII was the main battery gun used on the Royal Navy and British Commonwealth's conventional (non-anti-aircraft) light cruisers built from 1930 through the Second World War, and passed into service with several other navies when ships were disposed of after the end of the War.
Forward triple-gun turrets of HMS Belfast, March 2005
Handling cordite charges inside a Mk XXIII turret aboard HMS Jamaica, 1943
Breech with shell on loading tray of centre gun in a turret on HMS Belfast, 2006
Inside a twin Mark XXI turret aboard HMS Orion, a Leander-class cruiser.
Glossary of British ordnance terms
This article explains terms used for the British Armed Forces' ordnance (weapons) and ammunition. The terms may have different meanings depending on its usage in another country's military.
Breech mechanism of BL 9.2-inch howitzer Mk II, showing position of obturating pad at far right
2 C.R.H. BL 9.2-inch howitzer shell, 1916. See "18.4 R" pointing to curve of nose
3 C.R.H. QF 4.5-inch howitzer shell, 1916. See "13.5 R" pointing to curve of nose
Cartridge in cloth bag consisting of 108 lb cordite SC 280 ¼ charge for BL 15-inch naval gun, WWII. Four of these cartridges were loaded together to make up the full service charge.
