[2] The gun succeeded the QF 4-inch Mk III, whose 25-pound (11 kg) shell had been considered insufficiently powerful for its intended role.

The BL Mk VIII fired a 31-pound (14 kg) shell.

It armed the following warships : The gun was succeeded in its class from 1911 by the QF 4-inch Mk IV.

In World War II many guns were used to arm merchant ships.

A Mark XI-variant was adapted to arm the K-class submarines laid down 1915.