Need 37-mm Bethlehem cannon info

[bob lamoreaux]

Well, here we go again with a request for info on a World War I or 'tween the Wars cannon.

Couldn't find this in the 1919 Handbook of Ordnance Materiel (or whatever it is called!), or maybe I just missed it. I did find it in a book published in 1920, but there was no historical info on it.

 

There didn't seem to be any "Mark or Mod." info in the 1920 book except that it is a 37-mm semi-automatic originally for anti-aircraft fire but also used for "trench warfare". (Anti-personnel?) It was called the Bethlehem, apparently after the designer (Bethlehem Steel?) of the semi-auto mechanism.

 

Anyone have have any info regarding the history of these pieces, including their use and numbers acquired?

 

Many thanks!

Bob

[aef1917]

Found this:

 

http://www.historicreproductions.com/restore8.htm

 

and a mention elsewhere that it was designated by the USN as the "1 Pounder Heavy", as well as the "1 Pounder MKA Mod 1 cannon".