British 18-pounder mark II field gun at the Imperial War Museum, London. A stalwart of the British Army's artillery for forty years. The 18-pounder field gun was introduced into service in 1904 and, by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, 1226 had been manufactured in Britain. Thereafter production soared and a further 9244 guns were produced by British and American factories by 1918. The 18-pounder saw action with the British Expeditionary Force in the opening weeks of the war and remained in constant use on the Western Front for the duration. The importance of the gun can be measured by the fact that over 86 million 18-pounder shells were fired during the war. The gun remained in service throughtout the inter-war years and into the Second World War.

This 18-pounder Mark II field gun saw considerable action on the Western Front during the First World War. Between September 1916 and November 1917 it fired 16,513 rounds before being sent back to Britain to have its barrel relined. When it returned to France in March 1918 it was issued to 53rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery and took part in opposing the German spring offensive of 1918 and in the subsequent British advance in the autumn.

Technical specifications:

Calibre: 3,3 inch (8,4 cm)

Weight in action: 2,820 lb (1,279 kg)

Range: 6,525 yards (5,966 m)

Ammunition: 18 lb 8oz (8,4 kg) - 10 lb 3oz (4,6 kg) shrapnel, high explosive, star