Problems arose when the standard BL 12-pounder 7 cwt gun was used in the great Indian cavalry manoeuvres of 1891.

The carriage was found to be too complicated, and dust caused the metal surfaces of the axle traversing device to seize.

[4] It also proved too heavy for horse artillery, which was intended to support cavalry in battle, to manoeuvre.

It had a barrel 18 inches (460 mm) shorter, on a lighter and simpler carriage, and it entered service in 1894.

[5] The gun was used by the Royal Horse Artillery, and together with the BL 15-pounder, it provided the main British firepower.