Lot 0355: 1943 17-Pdr A.T. (Australia)

DESCRIPTION

This gun, being offered in this Tracks & Trade auction, is genuine 17-Pdr anti-tank gun on its original Mk 1 carriage produced in Australia.

It is discovered in the spring of 2021 by Mr. Chris Luxmoore, BAIV’s representative in Australia, in a barn, shipped to Europe the same year and recently nicely restored and serviced in BAIV workshop.

It is in great condition and still live. Moreover, it is very complete, comes with a lot of original small details (even the toolbox is filled), renewed tires which are exact copies of the original WW-II model and even the small towing ropes are there!

This is an example the real collector is looking for. All original, straight army release and always stored properly.

The Ordnance Quick Firing 17-pounder anti-tank gun was developed and produced in Great Britain and Australia during World War II. By the end of the war, it was the best compromises between firepower and weight in service with the Western Allies. It was developed in response to the ever-increasing amounts of armor being carried on German tanks. Its predecessor, the QF 6-pounder anti-tank gun had not even gone into production when development of the 17-pounder started in late 1940.

While the gun itself was already in production in mid-1942, the two-wheeled, split trail carriage commonly associated with it was not ready. In order to get the 17-pounder in the field, the 25-pounder Mk 2 field gun carriage was successfully adapted to take the big anti-tank gun. Production of the type referred to as the “Pheasant” began in late-1942 with the first guns arriving in North Africa by the beginning of 1943.

By the time of the Invasion of France in June 1944, the standard Mk 1 carriage was in full use and became the standard heavy British anti-tank gun for the rest of the war.

The 17-pounder was adapted for tank and self-propelled gun use as well. Several models of the M4 medium tank were adapted to carry the gun in place of the standard 75-mm cannon. This provided British Commonwealth troops with a potent tank killer (The Firefly). They were also fitted on the American built M10 gun motor carriage in place of its 3-inch anti-tank gun (Achilles). And finally, the 17-pounder was mounted on a Valentine infantry tank-based tank destroyer called the “Archer”, and the cruiser tank series where it was called the “Challenger”. The 17-pounder remained in British service until early 1950s when it was replaced by the 120-mm BAT recoilless rifle.

The 17pdr was (alongside the German Pak 40) one of the best compromises between firepower and weight, both being about as large as was usable in combat and very lethal. There of course were larger, more powerful guns; the problem came when you tried to move them…….

According to Mr. Ian Galliers, a Collector and Restoration Specialist from the UK:

This 1943 gun, being offered in this Tracks and Trade auction, is genuine 17-Pdr anti-tank gun on its original Mk 1 carriage produced in Australia. It is in great condition and still live. Moreover, it is very complete. My conclusion: This QF 17 Pdr. Anti-Tank Gun is highly desirable and is hardly ever offered on the market, certainly not in this very complete condition. This is without any doubt a unique opportunity for the serious collector of WW-II British Artillery!

The most powerful anti-tank gun the British and Commonwealth forces fielded and used in WW-II and still live!

SPECIFICATION

Model                              1943 Ordnance Quick Fire (QF) 17-pounder Mark 1 Gun on Mark 1
Carriage

Manufacturer                 Main Gun: produced by G&R Ordnance Factory Australia

Carriage: produced by Ruwolt Australia

Production figures         Unknown

Color                               SCC 15 (Standard Camouflage Colour 15)

Caliber                            3 inches (76.2 mm)

Barrel length                   13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) 55 calibres

Traverse                         60°

Elevation                         -6° to +16.5°

Carriage                         2-wheel split-trail carriage

Rate of Fire                      20 rpm cyclic; 10 rpm practical

Range                             Effective; 1.5 km (0.93 mi)

Maximum: 10.5 km (6.5 mi)

Muzzle velocity               2,900 ft/s (880 m/s) HE

3,950 ft/s (1,200 m/s) APDS

Weight                            3 long tons (3.05 t)

Dimensions                    Height:     Ground to Tip Barrel: 1,82 m (6 ft 11 5/8 in)

Ground to Shield: 1,61 m (5 ft 3 1/2 in)

Length:                            Center of trail eye to end of Muzzle brake:

7,35 m (24 ft 1 1/2 in)

Width:                              Shield: 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in)

Wheel hubs: 2.21 m (7 ft 3 in)

Level of restoration        Class B

Breach ID                        No / L6929 (Vertical sliding breech)

Registration                    Non

Remarks                         Live firing: can be deactivated at cost.

Licence                           Firearms licence for category 2 weapons will be applicable.

Condition / Remarks      In case if Buyer has no appropriate Firearms Licence of partner BAIV BV can deactivate this gun to the applicable regulations at costs.

REMARKS

Location:                         Nederweert, The Netherlands

Condition:                       Class A restored

Permits:                          Permit required

ESTIMATE VALUE

Between € 55.000 and € 65.000