The 2.5 Inch Screw Gun,The Screw Gun was so named because it was a mountain gun that broke down into
The 2.5 Inch Screw Gun,The Screw Gun was so named because it was a mountain gun that broke down into parts that could be carried separately and reassembled later. Mountain guns are light cannon created specifically for use over rugged or mountainous terrain. The Screw Gun broke down into four separate pieces; the barrel and breech screwed and unscrewed together and the caisson could be broken down into its wheels and mounting. A together the whole kit and gun weighed around 800 pounds. A light gun, it fired an 8 pound 2.5 inch caliber shell a distance up to 3,300 yards. The Screw Gun served the British Empire from 1877 to around 1900. It was especially known for used in the Boer Wars in which combat occurred in rugged terrain that was remote and far distanced from British outposts. By the 1890’s, the gun was becoming dated, however. A rifled muzzle loading cannon that used black powder, by that time most military were using breechloading cannons with self contained shells using smokeless cordite. The Screw Gun also lacked a recoil system, which meant that it had to be rolled back into place after firing, decreasing its accuracy and precision. The gun also lacked a shield and because of the large puff of smoke after firing made the gunners easy targets for Boer sharpshooters.Regardless of its drawbacks, the Screw Gun was a nifty piece of portable firepower that served the empire well when larger guns could not be brought to bear. -- source link
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