Two US 60mm M49a2 Mortar Shells and an M302?

[Brian Keith]

On the left is a WW II era 60mm mortar shell. It is marked LOT BW 409 (ordnance insignia) 1945 60MM M49A2 , on the right is another, but without markings, possibly a reject as the fin threads are started but incomplete. But what is the center one? It is unmarked. It has an interesting insert, and the threads for the fins are not cut. Is it supposed to be a M302 Smoke (white phosphorous) round? In an old reference I found that the M302 is supposed to be 11.07 inches long. This round measures 6.5 inches, add 2 inches for the fins (that is what the other examples measure) and 2.5 for the fuze (that is what a M52 fuze measures) that would be 11 inches. The M302 used a M82 PD fuze that may have been longer and also the fins may have been longer to make the 11.7 inches. Any thoughts? Also, soes any onw know woh the maker, "BW" was?
Thanks in advance for any info you could provide.
BKW

 

[HAZORD]

It looks like a M302. The reduced diameter adapter in the fuzewell is where the burster well would have been inserted. There were two configurations of this projectile. The first was the body with a set of fins just like the M49 He Projos, and the second uses a 2 inch long aluminum boom between the fins and the body.

 

[shelldude]

M302 WP rounds...

Hello Brian Keith,

Here are a few photographs of a couple of inert M302 WP rounds in my collection. BOTH shell bodies are 6 & 1/2 inch long.

Best regards,

Randall

 

[HAZORD]

Drawings of the 2 configurations.

 

[Brian Keith]

Thanks guys! Great info, now, I have to get a set of fins installed and find another fuze!
BKW