25 pounder muzzle covers

[rob love]

At the recent Rod Bellars estate auctions, I noted that the 25 pounder muzzle covers were marked no49, as per the parts manual. I picked up one lot of canvas 25pr items which included a muzzle cover no23, which looked very similar. When I went to try it onto a mk2 gun, it would not fit over the muzzle brake. I suspected it was for a mk1 gun without the muzzle brake, and that was confirmed when I found reference to it in an early stowage list.

Before I continue the search for the no49 muzzle cover, can anyone confirm it fits over the muzzle brake? Common sense tells me it should, as it is listed in the 1950 mk2, 3 &4 parts manual, but in discussion with another member on the board, he was not so sure.