Guns equipped the following British warships : These guns also equipped several small gunboats of Colonial navies of Australia in the 1880s in response to the perceived threat of Russian expansionism in the Pacific (The "Russian scares").

Its more common use ashore in the UK was as "moveable armaments" in forts: on 2-wheeled carriages similar to field carriages but intended only for moving short distances to position guns for defence of the fort.

Common shell could be used against earthworks, buildings and other vehicles and artillery.

Shrapnel shell was designed for use against soft targets, such as troops or cavalry, at longer ranges – for soft targets within 400 yards case shot could be used.

Palliser shot was designed for use against hard targets, such as enemy ships, where it could penetrate armour plate.