1.59-inch breech-loading Vickers Q.F. gun, Mk II

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	Weapon: 1.59-inch breech-loading Vickers Q.F. gun, Mk II Type: Infantry Support Gun Country of Origin: United Kingdom Year Adopted: 1906 Overall Length (mm): 2170.0 Overall Length (in): 85.43 Weight (kg): 1500.00 Weight (pounds): 3306.93

The 1.59-inch Breech-Loading Vickers Q.F. Gun, Mk II, also known as the "Vickers-Crayford rocket gun," was a British artillery piece designed during World War I. This weapon was developed as a portable, lightweight support gun for infantry, offering increased firepower over conventional rifles. The gun featured a breech-loading mechanism and fired a unique fin-stabilized explosive projectile, giving it an effective range of approximately 1,200 yards. It was compact and relatively easy to transport, making it suitable for the difficult terrain often encountered on the Western Front.

Production of the 1.59-inch Vickers Q.F. Gun, Mk II, was relatively limited compared to other artillery systems of the time. The weapon saw service primarily with specialized units, as its unique ammunition and relatively limited explosive payload restricted its widespread use. While it was initially praised for its innovative design and ability to provide close artillery support, logistical challenges related to its ammunition supply and limited effectiveness against fortified positions reduced its appeal. The gun was eventually overshadowed by more versatile weapons such as mortars and heavier artillery pieces.

Despite its limited production and niche role, the 1.59-inch Vickers Q.F. Gun, Mk II, is remembered as a forward-thinking attempt to bridge the gap between infantry-portable weapons and traditional artillery. Its innovative use of fin-stabilized ammunition was a precursor to later developments in rocket-assisted projectiles. Though not widely deployed or particularly notorious, the gun represents an interesting chapter in military history, highlighting the ongoing efforts to innovate in response to the static and grueling nature of World War I trench warfare.

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