SBBL 32-pounder

rdf:langString SBBL 32-pounder

rdf:langString Ordnance SBBL 32-pounder gun

rdf:langString Ordnance SBBL 32-pounder gun

rdf:langString Diagram, SBBL 32-pounder gun on medium sliding garrison carriage no. 6

rdf:langString Case shot Mk I

rdf:langString Royal Gun Factory

rdf:langString YES

rdf:langString YES

rdf:langString YES

rdf:langString Mk I :

rdf:langString United Kingdom

rdf:langString Centre sight only

rdf:langString Saluting gun

rdf:langString Flank defence gun

rdf:langString Time gun

rdf:langString Mk I only

rdf:langString The SBBL 32-pounder was a smooth-bore breech loading gun made by converting older 32-pounder 42 cwt smooth-bore muzzle-loading guns. The guns chosen for conversion were Monk Pattern guns of 42 cwt, a lighter and shorter variant of muzzle loader. The cascabel of the gun was cut off and a double action breech block was fitted. A new vent was drilled in front of the breech mechanism, as the guns were designed to be fired with short friction tubes, the standard means of ignition for artillery pieces at the time. The conversion was first suggested in 1879 to enable guns fitted in the flank defence of fortifications to be fired much more rapidly. They were used in caponiers to provide flanking fire to fortifications. In this role their targets would have been personnel entering ditches, and the guns were designed to fire case shot only, with ranges of up to about 500 yards. Because of the nature of the conversion, and the type of ammunition, a service charge of 3lb of black powder was used, as opposed to around three times that amount for a conventional 32-pounder muzzle loading gun. The guns were only ever mounted on one type of carriage. It was an iron sliding carriage and platform, which enabled the gun to be traversed left and right, as well as run back for storage. The slide also acted to absorb recoil from the gun when it was fired. An elevating screw and wooden elevating wedge (or Quoin) was also provided, to enable the gun to be elevated or depressed. They were originally assigned a crew of six, but this was later reduced to four. Since the role of flank defence was considered to be of limited importance there was considerable delay in mounting the guns. They were only ever designed to fire case shot, because of the limited field of fire they were given in fortifications.