17/25 pdr Pheasant

[Mike Cecil]

Rob,

"To simplify things ,the 17 pdr ordnance and recouperator were standard 17 pdr, the cradle, saddle and carriage were standard 25 pdr (British) .....One very good question would be ,why does the 17/25 pdr require a firing platform ? when in a direct fire role.............................well I believe that it is as much for ballast than anything else !"

I think the answer to that question lies in the traverse limits: a standard 25pdr had a traverse of just 4 degrees either side of the centreline (ie 8 degrees of traverse) whereas the 17pdr had 30 degrees either side, so 60 degrees of traverse. The 'Platform, Firing, No.9' allowed "... allowing rapid all-round traverse for anti-tank shooting."(User handbook, QF 25pr Marks 2 & 3: AMF 31 May 1952, page 296). The platform allowed traversing for a full 360 degrees, quickly and easily by one man using the trail spike. Assuming the 17/25pdr was as well balanced as the standard 25pdr, then the platform would have been equally as useful. Them wily Germans didn't always approach from the direct front!

Mike

[rnixartillery]

Here is some very interesting film footage.

https://youtu.be/KosCsRbAADg

Rob......................rnixartillery

[Wayne Henderson]

Thanks for that, a great bit of film.
The gun has a very high profile. Elevation would have been limited.
Appears to be for anti armour and strong point work?

[tankbarrell]

Excellent bit of film Rob!

The early, square hole muzzle brakes were quite flat on the front face. I see there was an interim style with the round front but still with square holes before the familiar later style.

[Tim Bell]

Some Pheasant Gun parts listed here...

http://armygear.org/?Items:Artillery_-_Page_1

The home page suggests that some of the items in this collection might be for sale.

Tim

[rnixartillery]

Thats right Adrian there were three variants ,two square hole and the last design with the round holes unfortunately I have not found the first pattern with the squarer profile.

Tim the Ad you have found is very old plus the parts are just standard 17 and 25 pdr that has clearly been clagged together.

Rob....................rnixartillery

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by rnixartillery

Thats right Adrian there were three variants ,two square hole and the last design with the round holes unfortunately I have not found the first pattern with the squarer profile.

Tim the Ad you have found is very old plus the parts are just standard 17 and 25 pdr that has clearly been clagged together.

Rob....................rnixartillery

Rob

Thanks for the clarification... better though for me to assume you havent seen it... than to assume you have and not post anything.

Cheers

Tim