This page is a collection of 4.7" (12 cm) guns built by Armstrong/EOC and Vickers for export. Links are provided to those that are detailed on their own datapage.
Built as a prototype. Weight 1 ton 14 cwt 1 qtr. Overall length 170.5 in (433 cm) bore 165.4 in (430 cm). Fired 40 lbs. (18.1 kg) shot. With a charge of 8 lbs. (3.6 kg) [type unknown] MV was 1,907 fps (581 mps).
Built for Italy in 1886. This was Armstrong's second 4.7" (12 cm) prototype. Fired a 36 lbs. (16.4 kg) shell. With a charge of 12 lbs. (5.4 kg) pebble powder MV was 2,060 fps (628 mps).
Use unknown. Weight 1 ton 16 cwt 11 lbs. Overall length 156.3 in (397 cm) bore 151.2 in (384 cm). Fired a 36 lbs. (16.4 kg) shell. With a charge of 12 lbs. (5.4 kg) prismatic powder MV was 1,900 fps (579 mps).
First 4.7" (12 cm) gun purchased by the Royal Navy. See Britain 4.7\"/40 (12 cm) QF Mark I for details.
For the Royal Navy. See Britain 4.7\"/40 (12 cm) QF Mark II for details.
Apparently used for British coastal batteries but not by the Royal Navy. Exported for Argentina protected cruiser Neuve de Julio and Japan cruiser Yoshino. See Britain 4.7\"/40 (12 cm) QF guns for other details.
For the Royal Navy as the Britain 4.7\"/40 (12 cm) QF Mark III. Also exported to Brazil for the protected cruiserAlmirante Tamandare and to Japan.
Built for the Brazlian training cruiser Benjamin Constant. Body plan dated 24 August 1892. Weight 2 tons 9 cwt 10 lbs. Overall length 194.1 in (493 cm) bore length 189 in (480 cm). Fired a 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) shot. With 8.8 lbs. (4.0 kg) Ballistite MV was 2,481 fps (756 mps).
For the Royal Navy as the Britain 4.7"/45 (12 cm) QF Mark V. Also exported to Argentine, Chinese and Norwegian navies, among others, during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Use unknown. Weight 2 tons 5 cwt 3 qtr. Overall length 162.1 in (412 cm) bore 156.6 in (398 cm). Fired 40 lbs. (18.1 kg) shot. With a charge of 16 lbs. (7.3 kg) MV was 1,951 fps (595 mps).
Believed to have been used for the Brazilian Almirante Barroso, Chilean Ministro Zenteno and the USN "Elswick Cruisers." See United States of America 4.7"/50 (12 cm) Mark III for details.
Fourteen guns purchased by the Royal Navy ca. 1905. Weight 2 tons 1 cwt 3 qtr 13 lbs. Overall length 249.25 in (565 cm). Fired a 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) shell. With a charge of 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg) Cordite MV was 2,150 fps (655 mps).
Built for the Brazilian Minas Gerais and Bahia classes. See Brazil 4.7"/50 (12 cm) BL EOC for details.
Original order was for three guns but the order was cancelled and only one was built. Modified post-World War I to proof-test 4.7" (12 cm) casings. Plan dated 7 July 1908. Wire-wound construction. Weight 3 tons 5 cwt 1 qtr 1 lbs. Overall length 211.05 in (561 cm). Fired a 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) shell. With charge of 16 lbs. (7.3 kg)Cordite MV was 3,000 fps (914 mps).
Used on Italian Battleships and Cruisers. See Italy 120 mm/50 (4.7") Model 1909 for details.
Originally ordered for Brazil in 1907 but cancelled. Turkey ordered eight guns to arm the cruiser Drama but she was taken over by the Italians during World War I and renamed Libia. Weight N/A. Overall length 217.7 in (553 cm) bore length 212.6 in (540 cm). Fired a 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) shell. With charge of 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) Cordite MD MV was 2,570 fps (783 mps).
**Possibly** guns built for the US Navy. See United States of America 4.7" (12 cm) Marks I, II and IV) for details.
Post-war gun built for Argentine and Chilean destroyers. See 4.7"/45 (12 cm) Vickers "E" for details.
Campbell, John
- "British Naval Guns 1880-1945 No 10" article in "Warship Volume VII"
- "British Naval Guns 1880-1945 No 11" article in "Warship Volume VII"
- "Naval Weapons of World War Two"
Fraccaroli, Aldo
- "Italian Warships of World War II"
Friedman, Norman
- "Naval Weapons of World War One"
Lacroix, Eric and Wells II, Linton
- "Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War"
12 November 2026 - New Datapage