[2] The Pattern 1905 began life as a Vickers design for export customers called the Mk B and Mk C. These guns did not serve aboard ships of the Royal Navy because they had standardized on 7.5 in (190 mm) guns.

The Pattern 1905 was also produced under license at the Obukhov State Plant in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The initial order for eight Vickers Mk B guns served aboard the Russian cruiser Rurik in four twin turrets.

A further nineteen were produced by Obhukov in 1914 to replace worn barrels with only minor differences between the series.

Pattern 1905 ammunition consisted of two separate loading bagged charges and a projectile.