British battleship construction paused after Nelson, but gun-barrel development continued. Relining and rifling work improved the 15-inch gun between the two world wars. Nelson's 16-inch guns also taught the service that pursuing range through lighter shells harmed loading and failed to deliver the expected practical advantages. Those weapons remained destructive against ships and land targets, so Lion's armament could draw on mature operational experience. The passage distinguishes a gap in hull construction from continuity in naval ordnance engineering.
Chapter · 6:39-8:58
Treaty limits did not end British capital-ship development
British gun development continued through relining, rifling changes, and shell lessons even while new battleship construction paused.