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Need ID on 60mm Mortar Shell
- Thread starter ordnance
- Start date
Hey Rick.
I'm pretty sure the triangle is one of the old Chinese markings used on some of their fuzes. I've seen it before and seems like I may have one or two on some of my pieces. The tip of the fuze is a lttle different, but otherwise consistent with Chinese construction, likewise the body and markings, similar to some exports seen in SW Asia.
I'm pretty sure the triangle is one of the old Chinese markings used on some of their fuzes. I've seen it before and seems like I may have one or two on some of my pieces. The tip of the fuze is a lttle different, but otherwise consistent with Chinese construction, likewise the body and markings, similar to some exports seen in SW Asia.
Jeff,
Thanks. My initial thought when I saw it was it looked Chinese. But the markings didn't look right as there weren't any Chinese characters present. It reminded me of a lot of Soviet and other ordnance intended for the export market. But I've never seen anything from China from the early 50's that was export marked. I always assumed they were too busy making munitions for themselves to make ammo for export.
The fins looked pretty American to me but the body is definitely foreign with "as cast" or forged surfaces above and below the obturation rings. No stamped markings on the body other than a small "2". The fuze body is a gutted shell so I can't give any fuze details.
Thanks. My initial thought when I saw it was it looked Chinese. But the markings didn't look right as there weren't any Chinese characters present. It reminded me of a lot of Soviet and other ordnance intended for the export market. But I've never seen anything from China from the early 50's that was export marked. I always assumed they were too busy making munitions for themselves to make ammo for export.
The fins looked pretty American to me but the body is definitely foreign with "as cast" or forged surfaces above and below the obturation rings. No stamped markings on the body other than a small "2". The fuze body is a gutted shell so I can't give any fuze details.
Slick is probably right on it being a copy, but as far as export, keep in mind - what do you do with your rusty old grenades when you get a shinier, newer one? Sell it off. Or give it to a beginner to earn some future goodwill.
Seems like there might be a document or two that shows the triangle in the FSTC pubs, if I get a chance I'll look tonight when I get home.
Had guests tonight so not much time to look, but here is what I pulled up in a rush. Haven't looked closely to see if it matches yours completely, but the triangle was the main thing I was looking for. If you need more let me know and I'll see if I have time this weekend. This is from a 1973 pub.
Thanks Jeff. That fuze data is spot-on for my brass 60mm mortar fuze, so at least that much is Chinese in origin. I'm sure the paint and markings are original from some arsenal source but I'm wondering if, as you suggested, it might have been remarked for export sales when newer ammo was issued. And thanks to Slick for looking too. I also thought it looked like the fuze from the Russian 50mm rounds, which I'm sure the Chinese fuze was derived from.
It's just odd that the standard 60mm HE rounds from the Vietnam period of the 1960s and 70s didn't look any more modern than this. And though they were actually being exported to the Vietnamese, all I've seen still retained the standard Chinese language markings.
I'm sure there's still a missing component to the story on this one, but we might not ever get the whole explaination.
It's just odd that the standard 60mm HE rounds from the Vietnam period of the 1960s and 70s didn't look any more modern than this. And though they were actually being exported to the Vietnamese, all I've seen still retained the standard Chinese language markings.
I'm sure there's still a missing component to the story on this one, but we might not ever get the whole explaination.
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Slick
Well-Known Member
Here's a nice sectioned example avaiable on GB: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=237571109
Doesn't help with specifics, but what the hey, more pics is always a good thing.
Rick
Doesn't help with specifics, but what the hey, more pics is always a good thing.
Rick
Rick,
Can the fuze be removed? We have an EOD publication on this fuze, but the pub is full of line drawings and I would like to replace them with real ones if possible. Plus I would also be interested in seeing the booster cup. According to the document by US-SUBS it should be a rounded booster. The gun broker fuze extends way down into the projectile, I am wondering what the cutway fuze on gun broker is now.
Joe
Can the fuze be removed? We have an EOD publication on this fuze, but the pub is full of line drawings and I would like to replace them with real ones if possible. Plus I would also be interested in seeing the booster cup. According to the document by US-SUBS it should be a rounded booster. The gun broker fuze extends way down into the projectile, I am wondering what the cutway fuze on gun broker is now.
Joe
from 
a 1953 pub
a 1953 pub
Thanks to all for the additional info.
Rick.......Wow, I suck at keeping an eye on Gunbroker lately. Thanks for the link. If I had seen that auction earlier, I could have skipped starting the thread as the cutaway 60mm round is almost identical except for some minor fuze and paint details.
Joe.....Wish I could help but all the fuze internals and booster cup are missing. Sorry.
Rick
Rick.......Wow, I suck at keeping an eye on Gunbroker lately. Thanks for the link. If I had seen that auction earlier, I could have skipped starting the thread as the cutaway 60mm round is almost identical except for some minor fuze and paint details.
Joe.....Wish I could help but all the fuze internals and booster cup are missing. Sorry.
Rick