| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM15742.002 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Artillery Accessory |
| Physical description | Brass, Steel, Wood |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
9.2 inch Howitzer Mk 1 Quick Loading Gear Hand Wheel : 1st Australian Imperial Force
Description
4 Spoke, quick loading gear hand wheel made from brass. The handwheel is located on the right side on the craddle. The hand wheel rim is of a hollow folded design which has four wooden inserts located in the wheel to assist the grip of the hand wheel. The role of the hand wheel is to rapidly lower the gun barrel to aid in the ejecting and loading of the artillery piece during the firing procedure. Markings - BSC 1/1917.
History / Summary
This howitzer was received by the Australian War Memorial in 1939 and subsequently made available for proof purposes to the artillery proof range (Proof and Experimental Establishment) at Port Wakefield, South Australia (SA). It was returned to the Memorial's Sydney store in April 1949. The howitzer was then loaned to the Royal Australian Artillery at Holsworthy, where it remained on display until recovered to the Memorial in 1998. It is probable that this particular howitzer was used in action by the 55th Siege Battery in France in 1917.