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.

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

It arrived with the Calcutta Artillery Volunteers in October 1914, and the guns were towed by teams of oxen.