gunmounting

Speculation: Looks like an anti-aircraft gun.. I don't think any aeroplane of the day could have carried that armament, but a naval ship could have done so.

Please see this New York Times article of September 24, 1911, that describes Rear Admiral Nathan C. Twining's invention of a "naval aeroplane gun" that was successfully tested at Indian Head. Please note the likely correct spelling of "Twining". "Nathan Crook Twining (1869 – 1924) was an admiral of the United States Navy. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1889. He served in the Spanish-American War, the bombardment of Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914, and World War I. --Wikipedia "In 1943, the destroyer USS Twining (DD-540) was named in his honor."

I hadn't realised they made these.

What a lovely piece of lethal machinery. The electronics age has removed much of the splendour of machinery.

A real complex bit of kit.

This must be for a King George V-class battleship, the only British battleships in World War II to mount quadruple turrets.

Thanks Iain. Strangely enough my colleague, Colin, said exactly the same thing just moments before your comment arrived.

It's massive - look where the barrel fits in and a man is stood there..

Its one of King George V's turrets which was lead ship of the class that was built at Walker Naval yard (below). Mounting 10 of these 14 inch guns. These quadruple mounts were very complex.

These very guns contributed to the sinking of the KMS Bismark in May 1941.

Fantastic historical photo.