The 10-inch BL gun came in four Marks (I to IV) and was introduced in 1885. The Mark I was an Elwick Ordnance design while the other three marks were manufactured at Woolwich Arsenal. The guns were usually mounted in a barbette with a central pivot, similar to the early 9.2-inch guns. There was also a disappearing (HP) carriage designed for the gun. The 10-inch BL gun had an effective range of 10,000 yards. Originally intended for use by the Royal Navy, the 10-inch gun was used in coastal defence batteries in:
- Plymouth
- Raleigh Battery
- Harwich
- Singapore
- Mount Palmer
- Hong Kong
- West Battery, Stonecutters Island
- Central Battery. Stonecutters Island
- Upper Belchers Battery, Western District of Hong Kong Island
- Fly Point Battery, Western District of Hong Kong Island
- Aden
- Fort Morbut
- Fort Tarshayne
- India
- Karachi
- Bombay
- Port Louis, Mauritius
- Albert Battery
- Victoria Battery
- Halifax, Canada
- Fort McNabb
The 10-inch BL gun remained in service until just before the outbreak of World War I.
