Original Item: Only One Set Available. Deactivated to BATF specifications and is totally inert and incapable of firing a round. The firing pin has been removed from the base cup, a half bore width hole made in the side of the base cup, a bore width hole made in the side of the tube, and a steel bar welded across the muzzle per BATF requirements. Not Available for Export.

This is an extremely rare Korean War era Chinese Type 31 60mm Mortar, which was basically a copy of the U.S. M2 60mm mortar. This was of course itself a licensed copy of the French Brandt Mle 1935 mortar system, a very robust design which inspired mortar designs around the world. The mortar was used by both the Nationalist and Communist side in China during the revolution, and we believe this example was made during the Korean war era.

This mortar, as with others on the market, is most likely a USGI Bring back from the early advisory period during the Vietnam war, captured and then brought back to the U.S.. Many of the weapons used by the Viet Cong were supplied from Communist China, and the Type 31 mortar was still in use at the time. Older examples such as this were often chosen for shipment to Vietnam. This particularly example looks to have been modified, either in China or in Vietnam, into a "light commando mortar" configuration, the bipod and heavy base plate done away with in favor of a much lighter commando base plate, reminiscent of a Japanese "Knee Mortar". While much less accurate, these were far easier to transport, and it would easily have been carried around by the sling.

The mortar is marked on the tube and base cup with a round maker marking that we do not recognize, over serial number 4214. However, there are additional markings on the base cup, which look to be a date of some sort:

(Logo)
4 2 1 4
三 四 年 十 一 月

The last line would normally translate to "34th Year 11th Month", however we have no idea how this would coincide with any Western date. We have seen references to the "Type 31" designation used by China referring to 1942, so in this case it could be a 1945 date, but we are not really sure. There were some M2 mortars supplied to Chinese forces during WWII, as well as others acquired elsewhere. Definitely some nice potential for further research!

Our non-firing display Mortar is offered in excellent condition, with lots of aspects to research and explore. Unlike many offerings, this has an original tube, demilitarized to BATF specifications, with a bore-width hole in the side and welded-in cross pin. The base cup is also original, as is the commando base plate.

This would make a fantastic part of any ordnance collection, as well as a great part of any Korean or Vietnam war collection. Ready to research and display!

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).