Vincennes in Knox County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

British BL-60

A.K.A. 60 pounder

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 23, 2021

1. British BL-60 Marker

Inscription. The British Ordnance BL 60-pounder was a 5 inch (127 mm) heavy field gun designed in 1903-05 to provide a new capability that had been partially met by the interim QF 4.7 inch Gun. It served throughout the First World War in the main theatres. It remained in service with British and Commonwealth forces in the inter-war period and in frontline service with British and South African batteries until 1942. The 60 pounder was a heavy field gun or 'gun of position' designed to be towed by either a horse team or mechanical vehicle. It had a quick firing recoil, meaning that the carriage did not move when the gun fired. The barrel was a wire wound A tube in a jacket with a screw breach. It fired a separate round (i.e. shell and bagged cartridge were loaded separately). The lower carriage contained both traverse and elevation sights and controls on the left side. Recoil system was below the barrel and used a hydraulic buffer with a hydro-pneumatic recuperate to return the barrel to its firing position.

Caliber - 5 inches (127 mm)
Barrel length - Mk I: 13 ft. 3 in./Mk II: 15 ft. 4 in.
Muzzle velocity - 2,080 fps.
Range - 10,300

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yds. (9.4 miles)
Shell - 60 lb. shell with 8 pounds of powder
Rate of fire - 2 rpm
Crew - 10

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 38° 40.405′ N, 87° 32.237′ W. Marker is in Vincennes, Indiana, in Knox County. It is on South 6th Street Road west of Willow Street (Business U.S. 41). Marker is on the grounds of Indiana Military Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 779 S 6th Street Rd, Vincennes IN 47591, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region,

in Southern Indiana,

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M-114, 155 mm Howitzer (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 23, 2021

2. British BL-60 Marker

F-16 Fighting Falcon (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Indianapolis (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Tombstone of Capt. Menomen O'Donnell (within shouting distance of this marker); M5 3 inch gun (within shouting distance of this marker); MiG-17F (within shouting distance of this marker); M1 57mm Antitank Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M2A1, 105mm Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vincennes.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 334 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.