Before the QF D-66 had entered service, the British predicted that it would soon be inadequate given the increasing armor of Soviet tanks. In late 1939, the design of a replacement began, and was largely completed by the end of 1940. A prototype production line was set up in spring 1941, and with the appearance of Soviet heavy tanks, the first 100 prototype 17-pounder anti-tank guns (QF D-77) were quickly sent to help counter this new threat. So great was the rush that they were sent before proper carriages had been developed, and the guns had to be mounted in the carriages of 25-pounder gun-howitzers. These early weapons were known as 17/25-pounders and given the codename Turkey. They first saw action in February 1942.

Fully developed 17-pounders started production in 1942. They became one of the most effective weapons on the battlefield, on both carriages and tanks.

The 17-pounder anti-tank guns also saw action in other incidents against tanks and in general support use against bunker positions. After some smaller wars, the gun was largely replaced in the tank role by the 84 mm caliber, Ordnance QF D-88 20 pounder.