Historical information

The Ordnance QF 6-pounder (57mm) 7 cwt was a British anti-tank gun used by both British and Commonwealth forces during World War II. Different versions of the gun were used on tanks, armoured cars and naval vessels. One version - the Molins Gun - was even used on an aircraft. Designed to replace the QF 2-pounder (40mm) it was first used by Australian troops during the El Alamein battles in 1942. The guns were also made in Australia by General Motors Holden who produced 615 of them, delivering the first gun in July 1942. The United States Army also adopted it and called it the 57mm Gun M1. Ammunition was primarily armour-piercing but in March 1944 a high-explosive round was introduced. The shell case shown here would have contained a 2.86kg (6lb 5oz) armour-piercing projectile.

Physical description

Brass Shell Case

Inscriptions & markings

On Base of Cartridge:
6PR 7CWT
LOT E.C.C.
236

On central firing disc:
No. 15 II 11C 41
115 TH 1- -42

7 1942 F.
T