Ordnance QF 2-pounder

Ordnance QF 2 pounder
The QF 2 pounder in Batey ha-Osef Museum, Israel. Note the folded legs of the carriage.
Type	Tank gun Anti-tank gun
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1936–1945
Used by	United Kingdom Australia Belgium Ireland Germany
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designed	1936
Manufacturer	Vickers
Produced	1936–1944
No. built	12,000
Specifications
Weight	814 kg (1,795 lb)
Barrel length	overall: 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) L/52 bore: 2 m (6 ft 7 in) L/50
Crew	3–5
Shell	40×304 mm. R
Calibre	40 mm (1.575 in)
Breech	semi-automatic vertical block
Recoil	hydrospring
Carriage	three-leg platform
Elevation	-13° to +15°
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	22 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	792 m/s (2,600 ft/s) with AP shot
Effective firing range	914 m (1,000 yd)
Maximum firing range	1000 m (1093.6 yd)
Feed system	Breech-loaded
Sights	No.24b

The Ordnance QF 2-pounder (QF denoting "quick firing"), or simply "2 pounder gun", was a 40 mm (1.575 in) British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun, employed in the Second World War. It was actively used in the Battle of France, and during the North Africa Campaign. As Axis tanks improved in armoured protection, it lost effectiveness, and it was gradually replaced by the 6-pounder, starting in 1942, though some remained in service until the end of the war. In its vehicle-mounted variant, the 2-pounder was also a common main gun on British tanks early in World War II, and was a typical main armament of armoured cars, such as the Daimler, throughout the war.

This QF 2-pounder was not the same gun as the QF 2 pounder "pom-pom" gun extensively used by the Royal Navy as an anti-aircraft gun; they shared only the projectile weight of 2 pounds (0.9 kg).

The gun was developed as both a tank weapon and an anti-tank gun. For reasons of economy and standardization, it was accepted - as the 2-pdr Mark IX - for both purposes in October 1935. Carriages for the gun were designed by Vickers and the Design Department at the Woolwich Arsenal.

Vickers was the first to submit a design, which was accepted as the Ordnance QF 2-pounder Mark IX on Carriage Mark I. A limited number of pieces was built in 1936. The carriage had an innovative three-legged construction. In the travelling position, one of the legs was used as a towing trail, and the other two were folded. When the gun was positioned for combat, the legs were emplaced on the ground and the wheels were lifted up. Woolwich Arsenal had continued to develop their carriage and when re-examined was seen to be superior to Vickers design, and with this carriage the gun was adopted as Ordnance QF 2-pounder Mark IX on Carriage Mark II. It was conceptually similar, although when the gun was emplaced for combat the wheels had to be removed. This carriage was also manufactured by Vickers.