Naval guns as long-lead mobilization items

Small-ship hull production can expand faster than naval gun and mounting manufacture. Rifled guns demand precision machinery and a high share of skilled labour, whereas shipyards can train and absorb more unskilled workers as output rises. Gun availability can therefore set the pace of an emergency escort program even when yards have hull capacity. Keeping older Nordenfelt and Hotchkiss weapons, plus large ammunition stocks, is worthwhile because an imperfect weapon in store is more useful than a modern design awaiting a production line. The argument shows why industrial bottlenecks alongside ship designs determine mobilization speed.