*British, WW1, HMS K7 – Original Photograph and Brass Relief Model of K7 Class Submarine*
Approximate measurements:
Brass relief: 22.5cm x 6.7cm tall
Original Photograph: 21.6cm x 14.6cm
An unnamed WW1 brass relief model of a submarine – likely K-Class with its distinctive steam turrets. Accompanied by an original photograph of the K7 (on the back it is noted as K6 but the original specialist collector corrected this to K7). This photograph originally formed part of the Lou Britton British Submarine Collection, which was acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in 2007.
About K Class:
The K-class submarines, designed in 1913, were steam-powered vessels intended to operate with the Royal Navy’s battle fleet. Notorious for their accidents, they earned the nickname “Kalamity class.” Of the 18 built, six were lost in accidents with significant casualties, while none were sunk by enemy action. Only one, K7, engaged an enemy, hitting a U-boat amidships, though the torpedo failed to explode—a common example of “K” luck. K7 avoided retaliation by speeding away.
The class was supported by Commodore Roger Keyes, Inspector Captain of Submarines, and Admirals Sir John Jellicoe and Sir David Beatty. However, Admiral Jacky Fisher, later First Sea Lord, opposed the concept, famously calling steam engines in submarines “the most fatal error imaginable.”
About HMS K7
HMS K7, a K-class submarine, was built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, laid down on 8 November 1915, and commissioned in July 1917. K7 was the only K-class submarine to engage an enemy. On 16 June 1917, she fired torpedoes at U-95, scoring a hit, but the torpedo failed to detonate due to the “K-class luck.” K7 avoided retaliation by fleeing at high speed. The submarine was involved in an accident with the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron and later damaged during the infamous “Battle of May Island” night exercises, running over the sinking K4. K7 was sold for scrap on 9 September 1921 in Sunderland.
Design
K7 displaced 1,800 long tons surfaced and 2,600 submerged, with a length of 338 ft, a beam of 26 ft 6 in, and a draught of 20 ft 11 in. Powered by two Yarrow boilers and a geared steam turbine delivering 10,500 shp to twin screws, she reached a surface speed of 24 knots and a submerged speed of up to 9.5 knots. An 800 hp diesel engine was used for auxiliary power.
She operated at depths up to 150 ft with an endurance of 80 nautical miles at 2 knots. Armed with ten 18-inch torpedo tubes (located at the bow, midship, and on deck), two 4-inch deck guns, and a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun, K7 had a crew of 59.
*Condition*
The brass model is in excellent condition with minor marks and scratches. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAEOXBDO_6883192905
