Model: Mark II
Serial Number: 5071
Year of Manufacture: 1940
Manufacturers: Charles Ruwolt Pty Ltd
Country of Production: Australia

Specifications:

Crew:  6 men

Calibre: 87.6mm (3.45 inch)
Gun Weight: 1633kg
Gun Length: 4.6m (15ft)

Shells: 25 Pounders used a separate charge and shell
Types of Shell: High Explosive, Armour Piercing, Smoke and Star (illumination)
Rate of Fire:  Up to 6-8 rounds per minute

Traverse: 5 degrees left and right
Maximum Range: 13,400m

The muzzle break and counter balance weight on this gun were fitted in the 1950’s during an update programme.  Australia produced 1527 of these guns; additional guns were obtained from the United Kingdom and approximately 2,000 guns were used by the Australian Army.  Australian guns were manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong with civilian contractors General Motors Holden (GMH) and RUWOLT. In all 13,000 were made worldwide.

Theatre of Operations: The Mark II was the standard desert and jungle warfare gun during World War 2. The 25 Pounder Short Mark I was used by Asutralian units in the South West Pacific theatre of jungle warfare in WW2.  The 25 Pounder was used by Australian units in the Korean War and Malayan Emergency.

Item Source:  Thales Australia – Bendigo 2004.