Ordnance QF 6 Pounder - Variants

Variants

• Mk 1: limited production version with L/50 barrel.
• Mk 2: first mass production version. Shortened L/43 barrel was adopted due to the shortage of suitable manufacturing equipment.
• Mk 3: tank version of Mk 2.
• Mk 4: L/50 barrel, single baffle muzzle brake.
• Mk 5: tank version of Mk 4 .
• Molins Class M gun: 6 pounder gun fitted with automatic loader built by the Molins company, a manufacturer of cigarette making machines. It was mounted on the Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boats and in the RAF Mosquito planes, which were referred to as the "Tsetse". Reports of use in a limited number of Royal Navy Escort Destroyers ("V and W" class vessels) in a twin mounting at "A" gun position appear to be confusion with the use of the 6 Pdr 10 Cwt 'Twin Six' Coastal Gun in that position.
• 57 mm Gun M1: U.S. built version; although based on Mk II, it had the "original" L/50 barrel.

Carriage types, British:

• Mk 1
• Mk 1A: different axle and wheels
• Mk 2: simplified design
• Mk 3: modified for use by airborne troops

Carriage types, U.S.:

• M1
• M1A1: U.S. wheels and tyres
• M1A2 (1942): improved traverse mechanism, allowing free traverse
• M1A3 (1943): modified towing hook; the first version to be adopted by the U.S. Army
• M2 (1944): caster wheel added to the right trail, relocated trail handles, new utility box
• M2A1 (1945): improved elevation gear