EOC 10 inch 40 caliber guns were the primary armament of armored cruisers, ironclads and pre-dreadnought battleships built or refit during the 1890s.

Development of the 10 inch 40 caliber guns began in the early 1890s at the Elswick Ordnance Company located at Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

In addition to guns imported from England and Italy, four licensed versions were produced at the Kure Naval Arsenal beginning in 1908.

In order to address the Italian Army's lack of long-range heavy artillery, surplus 254B, 254/40, 305/17, 305/40, and 305/46 naval guns were converted to land use.

The wheels were fitted with detachable grousers designed by Major Crispino Bonagente for traction on soft ground and was towed in one piece by a Pavesi-Tolotti artillery tractor.

The steel rails were mounted on a firing platform made of wooden beams which allowed the gun 360° of traverse.