Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The M1 81mm mortar was the largest weapon in the arsenal of the U.S. WWII infantry battalion. It provided the battalion commander with a powerful and flexible indirect fire capability. Sometimes called "infantry artillery," or "hip pocket artillery," mortars were capable of quickly laying down heavy barrages. These could stop enemy attacks under the worst conditions. Able to fire at high angles, mortars could fire at targets in defilade, either under direction of a forward observer, or firing off map coordinates. In the WW2 Pacific campaigns, these weapons became an important part of the battalion's firepower, especially since they could be man-packed into positions that were inaccessible to artillery.
The U.S. M1 Mortar was heavily based on the French Brandt modèle 27/31 mortar, a regulation weapon of the French army during the Second World War. Designed by Edgar Brandt, it was a refinement of the Stokes mortar, developed in WWI England. Brandt had developed his own pneumatic mortar during WWI, but the Stokes mortar's propulsion system proved to be a better design. However Brandt was the one who perfect the design of the projectiles to be used, the classic "teardrop" shape with fin stabilizers at the back. Most importantly, Brandt introduced the use of the obturation grooves on a ring around the projectile, which served as both a forward-bearing surface and a gas check. The Stokes-Brandt mortar design was highly influential, being licensed built or copied by numerous countries, including the United States and others. At the onset of WWII, the French and British were essentially using variations of the same mortar design, and when the United States entered the conflict, the components were so similar that they were often interoperable, especially the tubes.
We offer a fantastic U.S. WWII 81mm M1 non-functional BATF complaint inert demilitarized Display Mortar as used by U.S. and later Free French forces during WWII. This mortar has some very interesting markings. particularly on the tube, and looks to have led quite the interesting life, as it is actually a tube from a WWII French Brandt Mle 27/3 81mm mortar! Also included with the mortar are some fantastic accessories, many of which we have never had before! This is the full setup, ready to make a complete display in your man cave or museum, if you have the room!
This display is composed of the following:
- Original WWII Mortar Base Plate. This looks to be of U.S. Manufacture, and is marked with serial number 22409.
- Original U.S. WWII Adjustable Bipod, functional with an intact chain at the base. We tested all of the various adjustments, and they seem to be fully functional. It also has lots of U.S. Issue markings, including a complete intact original data plate! This reads:
MOUNT, MORTAR,
81MM. M4. No. 33657
ORD. DEPT. U.S.A.
P.S.C.M. CO. 1945 INSP. A‧C‧R
As an added bonus, the bipod comes complete with an original transport bag!
- Original French WWII Brandt Mle 27/31 Mortar Demilled barrel tube, which has been torch cut with a bore size hole and the interior of barrel, and previously had the entire base cup section removed, deactivated, and re-welded. This still has the original markings fully visible on the base cup, which read:
BRANDT DE 81 M/M MLE 1927-31
TYPE STOKES BNo 21
- Original U.S. WWII M34A1 sight unit, which is made up of the various mounts, adapters, and other components used to attach the sight to the crosshead of the M4 Tripod. All of the components look to have their correct brass data plates. This comes in a custom made wooden case.
- FOUR Original U.S. 81mm Mortar rounds, including one practice round and three deactivated live rounds, as pictured. The deactivated live rounds are all missing the fuse portion, and possibly more. These are kept in an original wooden crate, which looks to be from the Vietnam War Era.
- Original U.S. Mortar Ranging stake set in carrier, most likely post WWII. Contains four red and white striped stakes.
These weapons are most unusual for the collectors market, and this is the first example we have had in some time, and definitely the first with a French tube. These mortar systems saw service long after WWII across the world, and most were used to the point of destruction or scrapped long ago. This is a genuine WWII mortar system and not a newer fabrication.
Comes more than ready to display!
- This product is not available for international shipping.
Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.
All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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