OQF 6 pdr 7 cwt

[Dusonn]

Hi all,
finally got some time to share the restoration of our 6pdr on MLU. After several annual training weekends in the UK and Belgium that we took part in thanks to our friends from The Garrison group and 1st Belgian Field Battery, we have been searching for our own 25pdr to train on. During the search, a friend of ours found this 6pdr in Italy for a very good price. Being a very rare gun we did not hesitate too long and bought it. It was early this year.
The gun was in very complete state. The only thing that was not original were the wheels as we found out later...
This in how the gun was stored by its previous owner when we found it:

[Dusonn]

The friend of ours who discovered it in Italy also volunteered to transport it to Czech Republic. He upload it on a trailer, put some tilt over it and under the dark it arrived to its new home, welcomed by our excited crew

[charlie fitton]

...just envy

[Dusonn]

Instantly an inspection begun. We were really lucky as the gun was in very complete state. There were some scars, the barrel, breach block and recoil housing were punctured, the spare parts box rotten through, but everything else in good shape and easily restorable.

[rob love]

Gorgeous gun....so much potential.

[Dusonn]

more pictures

[Dusonn]

Did not really take long and we started the restoration. We acquired some manuals and started to dismantle parts. Everything came off quite well unlike the barrel which was a really tough job. We were suprised that the recoil system was like new, luckily under a thick layer of grease.

[Dusonn]

Small parts were soaked in lye, bigger parts carefully shot-blasted.

[Dusonn]

Unfortunatelly we found that the carriage legs were cut probably after disposal by the army and then somebody welded them back together again, not very precisely though. Each leg had different angle and did not fit into the rear lock properly.
So we decided to cut both legs again and weld back accurately. Quite a lot of rust came out and some places underneath had to be fixed up. It all came back together very well and we could start putting the gun back together.

[Dusonn]

We wanted to have the 6pdr ready for an event in May so the works speeded up. We hang the carriage up for a better assembly. Put together the brakes and hubs. Here we done a mistake and swapped the plates so the brakes were the other way round. It was quite a job to put it together so we changed it back later. This happens when different people dismantle and assamble

[Dusonn]

After the assembly of the recoil system, elevation gear, shield etc we put the barrel back on without any big difficulties. We yet have to make the leather seals for the recoil rails.

[Dusonn]

We had to make a new spare parts box for the shield, the original rotted away...

[Dusonn]

Everything got the final paint and we had it ready for the May event where we introduced the restored gun to the public for the first time. Got original drag ropes from a Belgian friend and also made the handspikes.
We also made a drill aiming device which was used for training to save on ammunition during the WWII. We could show the drill using a BREN.

[Dusonn]

We always wanted to blank-fire the 6pdr so we bought a firing pin from forum member Rob and took the barrel off again in August. We had taken it to a gunsmith who made some adaptation to the barrel to allow black powder firing. He also made a special rounds for the firing. After that he s taken it to a state approval laboratory and they issued a certificate and marked both the barrel and the rounds. Now we can blank fire anywhere without a temporary shooting range approval. It really works
The blank rounds will yet get a brass finish to look more authentic.
We also made a replica of the sight holder. Thanks to Marc van Aalderen for providing the dimensions.

[Dusonn]

Well thats about it up to this date. When the weather allows the 6 pdr will get a new final paint with camouflage and marking of the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade Group according to period photos.
It would also deserve the original wheels so if anybody knows where to get them this would be highly appreciated.
The restoration is also on our website (although in Czech only) here.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS to everybody

[rnixartillery]

An excellent Job well done !

I carried out some minor work on your soon to be 25 pdr project through the summer so you will have your hands full on this project,but a great way to ownership !

All the best

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

[Ed Storey]

Impressive! A fantastic restoration job.

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi Dusan,

Merry Christmas to you and the group also.

The 6pr is very nice! Job well done I must say. Over the winter I will get you the pattern for the carriage cover so you can have that made for next season. Will you be bringing the 6pr to Project 70?

Cheers,

[Dusonn]

Thank you all for kind comments. Rob looking forward to get hold of the 25pdr, will see how it goes.
Marc, it would be great to have the pattern of the carriage tilt over the winter so we can make a replica and use for next season. We would love to bring the 6pdr to Project 70 but do not know yet if we get the permission to transport via Germany. We never asked a permission German authorities before so will see how it goes.
There are also few other international events for us next year, WWI and WWII.

[Dusonn]

We got the original wheels for our gun. Thanks to forum member Kevin Powles the pair of wheels arrived yesterday. The gun will get a new look when mounted on.

[Gunner]

Hi Dusan:

You and the Czech Brigade gang have done an amazing job... wow!

I'm glad you found the right wheels... now the hard part is finding tires. Based on bitter experience, you do not want to tow your gun at road speeds with the original tires! If you are trailering it and only towing for parades and displays then no worries. I have found some mine service tires that look OK but are a bit undersized, however they are not cheap! There is an aircraft tire that will also fits, is the right size but the tread looks all wrong. They are cheap though as you can pick them up second hand... aircraft have to replace them on a set schedule.

If Marc is sending out the pattern for the canvas cover please include me on the distribution list as I would like to have one made for our gun too.

I've been talking to Mike Peacock about coming over in September for the Market Garden event to work on the 5.5 inch guns. Will the Czech Brigade be there?

Cheers from the Great White North!

Ubique! Mike

[Dusonn]

Hi Mike,
thanks for your nice comments. We are stripping the tyres off the wheels at the moment and it is a very tough job. We get the wheels sandblasted. Your are right with the old tyres. We are thinking of buying something like David Gordon has on his 4,2" mortar, the tyres are designed for forklifts but look quite good from what can be bought. We hope we find them here in Europe so that the postage is not that expensive.
You are on the tilt list after Marc sends the patterns. We want take part in the Project 70, although there are few other international events both WWI and WWII for us around that time so do not know how many of us coming over. Hopefully a full gun crew.

[tankbarrell]

Dusan,

would you have a drawing of that spare parts box? I need to make one for my 6 pdr.

[Gunner]

Hi Dusan:

I am negotiating selling a carrier to the UK so I may be shipping a container over later this year. If you can't get the tyres in Europe I will put them in the container for you. Let me know!

Ubique! Mike

[Dusonn]

Originally Posted by tankbarrell

Dusan,

would you have a drawing of that spare parts box? I need to make one for my 6 pdr.

Hi Adrian, I will make a drawing for you, the gun is now stored quite away from where I live but I still should have the original box somewhere so will do it. Or if you are interested I can get you a quote to make a replica here.

Mike, thanks for the offer, that sounds good, will let you know if we stuggle to find the tires here. cheers mate

[tankbarrell]

Hi Dusan, thank you for the offer, it's no problem for me to make a box, it's what I do! Without a pattern however..... a drawing will be great.

[Dusonn]

Originally Posted by tankbarrell

Hi Dusan, thank you for the offer, it's no problem for me to make a box, it's what I do! Without a pattern however..... a drawing will be great.

Adrian,
a friend of mine made a drawing of the box. I hope this helps, if you need any more info contact me. I have also attached pictures of our replica box.

[Dusonn]

few more pictures. By the way does anybody know what the box should contain?

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi Dusan,

Yes, I do. The rectangular hole is for the little tin with spare springs, split pins and other assorted small parts. I have a list in one of the handbooks that tells what exactly. These tins come up on Ebay regularly. The round hole is for a spare firing pin, possibly with the spring but have not yet tried to fit it.




Cheers,

[tankbarrell]

Dusan, thank you very much for that, it's a great help.