BL_12_inch_naval_gun_Mk_I_-_VII
BL 12-inch Mk I – VII naval gun
Naval gun
The BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I was a British rifled breech-loading naval gun of the early 1880s intended for the largest warships such as battleships and also coastal defence. It was Britain's first attempt to match the large guns being installed in rival European navies, particularly France, after Britain transitioned from rifled muzzle-loading guns to the modern rifled breech-loaders somewhat later than the European powers. Mks I - VII[note 1] all had a barrel of approximately 303 inches in length (25.25 calibres) and similar performance.