Why Britain kept the 3.7-inch gun out of naval and anti-tank roles

Why did Britain not use the 3.7-inch gun as a naval dual-purpose weapon and an anti-tank gun?

The Royal Navy standardized on 4-inch and later 4.5-inch guns, while the Royal Artillery kept heavy anti-aircraft and anti-tank roles separate.

Britain's 3.7-inch gun remained primarily a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft weapon. The Royal Navy preferred to standardize on 4-inch guns and later 4.5-inch guns for shipboard use, although the 3.7-inch appeared in limited roles. Separate control of anti-aircraft and anti-tank equipment reinforced the division: heavy anti-aircraft guns stayed focused on aircraft, while dedicated anti-tank weapons dealt with armor. Service organization and standardization mattered alongside the gun's technical potential.