194X Ordnance Q.F. L/43, 6-pr. 7-cwt. Mk II anti-tank gun

Reserved

A beautiful piece that every military vehicle enthusiast will recognize: the 6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun. This impressive weapon makes a stunning display piece for any reenactment event or looks perfect being towed behind your vehicle; always a remarkable sight.

This particular example comes with numerous additional accessories, including an extremely rare original gun cover.

Location

Veenendaal, The Netherlands

Year of construction

1943

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Vickers Armstrong / Ordnance

Type

Mk II

Condition

In very nice condition

Margin Goods

Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable

€ 36.000,-

Incl. commission

Details

Condition

This 6-pounder is presented in excellent condition. It has been deactivated in accordance with earlier Dutch regulations and can be converted to blank-firing. Additional deactivation or certification work can be arranged upon request. It is an older restoration but always taken care off and stored dry. It has seen service at numerous events and presents as a very complete example, including the following extras.

On the gun

Telescopic sight No. 22D (in storage tube)
Oil can
Grease gun Model T26
Tool roll for 2-pr / 6-pr (reproduction)
Three shells with reproduction AP heads (shell cases all WWII-dated)
Pick-axe with helve
Spade, dated 1940

Additional parts and accessories

Cover 6 Pr. Mk.1. Carr. (Carriage), C.M. 1933; original and extremely rare (possibly the only survivor)
Two wooden axle support blocks
Box, stores 6-Pr 7-CWT A/T Mk.1, complete with internal dividers; original and extremely rare
Two No.4 mop bags
Box with assorted small spare parts
Shaft for breech lever
Three extractor levers
Three bronze couplers for wooden cleaning staves
Emergency sight with correct blade (the blade fitted to the gun is a reproduction)
Buffer front cover
Several pull-through ropes with brushes
Single hook for block and tackle (used to check run-out)
Tin box for oil buffer seals (empty)
Spanner for recoil buffer
Cocking lanyard (for cocking the striker in case of a misfire)
Canvas cover for the gun log book
Two muzzle/barrel lamps for towing the gun in the dark (incomplete)
Four striker protectors
Six empty shell cases (all WWII-dated)
Four C263 Mk1 ammunition boxes — specifically for 6-Pr rounds

Overall, this is a highly complete and well-presented 6-pounder with a remarkable set of original and rare accessories, making it a desirable piece for collectors and re-enactors alike.

Specifications

Technical details

Manufacturer: Vickers Armstrong / Ordnance
Model: Q.F. 6-Pdr. 7-cwt MkII
Carriage: Split trail
Manufacturing date: 1943
Barrel number: L23580
Barrel length (L/43): 8ft 4in (2.54)
Width: 5 ft 11 in (1,8 m)
Height: 4 ft 2 in (1,28 m)
Weight: 2.520 lbs (1.140 kg)
Main armament: 6 pounder QF
Calibre: 2,244 in (57 mm)
Traverse: 90 degr.
Elevation: -5 / + 15 degr.
Maximum fire range: 5.000 yd (4.600 m)
Crew: 6
Permits: Export permits are required.

History

The Ordnance QF 6-pounder was a British quick-firing anti-tank gun that played an important role during the Second World War. Its development began in the late 1930s as a response to the limitations of the earlier 2-pounder guns, which had become inadequate against increasingly better armoured German tanks. The design of the new weapon was completed around 1940, but production was delayed due to the fall of France and other wartime priorities. As a result, the 6-pounder did not enter large-scale production until late 1941 and was first introduced into service in 1942.

The early Mk II version was built with a relatively short barrel because suitable machinery for producing longer barrels was not yet available. Later models such as the Mk IV were fitted with a longer barrel and sometimes a muzzle brake, improving both range and stability. Production was not limited to Britain; it also took place in Canada and South Africa, and the United States manufactured a licensed version known as the 57 mm M1.

The 6-pounder served both as a towed anti-tank gun and as the main armament in several British tanks. It replaced the 2-pounder in front-line service from mid-1942 onward and proved highly effective in the North African campaign, particularly during the Battle of El Alamein where it demonstrated excellent penetration against Axis armour. The gun was mounted in tanks such as the Crusader III, Churchill III and IV, Valentine, Centaur and Cromwell, after modifications were made to accommodate the heavier weapon.

Although later replaced in many roles by the more powerful 17-pounder, the 6-pounder remained in use well into the post-war years.

Through its practical design, versatility and reliability, the Ordnance QF 6-pounder became one of the most widely used and respected British anti-tank guns of the war.