Unknown Australian/British 60mm Experimental Mortars?

[Darkman]

A collector friend has two 1950s dated 60mm mortars and is seeking information on them, as he cannot find any literature. He has been a collector for many years and has an extensive knowledge on ordnance, yet he has never seen or heard of this calibre mortar in Australian/British service. He acquired one mortar some years ago and more recently obtained another with markings that include EXPL, so believes they may be experimental.

They are definitely not American but Australian made with maker code ME for Explosives & Pyrotechnical Factory, Maribrynong, Melbourne. Interestingly they also include the British broad arrow on both the alloy fuze socket/adapter and the plug representative fuze.

Full stencil markings on each mortar are as follows (there are no stamped markings at all on the body or fins):

Mortar 1 - ME 12/55

Mortar 2 -

TNT
60MM MOR
EXPL
ME 7/56

Dimensions are as follows:

• Overall length including fuze - 295mm or 11 & 9/16
• Length of body without fuze but including fuze adapter - 247mm or 9 &
• Length of body without fuze adapter - 235mm or 9 & 5/16
• Diameter of steel body - 58mm
• Diameter of alloy fuze adapter - 59mm
• Nominal calibre - 60mm or 2 & 3/8

The mortars have 6 fabricated fins and use a zinc/mazak cartridge cap identical to those used on a standard 2 inch mortar of WW2 era.
Plug fuzes appear to be solid brass.

Any information or explanation would be greatly appreciated, as my friend is completely stumped.

Cheers,

Graeme

 

[Darkman]

Anybody know anything about these?
Unusual to be stamped with the straight British broad arrow, not the Australian version in the D.
Local ammo for use in American 60mm tubes perhaps? Not aware of 60mm mortars being in Australian service.

 

[eodda]

Hi Darkman

Please excuse the 'cold call' - I don't know much about mortars, but I saw your post and wondered if you could help me? I am interested in bomb fuzes having spent a working lifetime in the aircraft weapons arena. I've written a book about British bomb fuzes which has been recommended on BOCN. I've come across some photos of defintely British bomb fuzes but inscribed 'RAAF No. 1 Mk. 1' - a nomenclature that I've never seen before. My question is: 'do you know anyone in Australia who has an interest in bomb fuzes who might know the history of British bomb fuzes in RAAF use?' Certain types were certainly manufactured in Australia.

I'm planning to come to Australia next January and am intending to visit the Australian War Memorial and also the RAAF Museum at Point Cook to see what documentary information they might have on these things, but any connections that I can make along those lines would be of much help to me.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

eodda aka Dave Andrews
UK

 

[Darkman]

Hi Dave,

Unfortunately I know nothing about bomb fuzes or Australian production in WW2. Drew (Dronic 69) may know something. He has a few bomb fuzes and may know something of their markings/history. The collectors I know personally do not specialise in this field. However I do know that bombs and all manner of fuzes were produced at the Maribrynong (monogram "ME" series) and nearby Footscray (monogram "MF") Ordnance Factories in Melbourne during WW2.

Can I suggest an advert requesting information in the club magazines of a couple of the larger Arms Collector clubs/organisations in Melbourne and Sydney. These clubs also cater for ordnance collectors. http://www.armscollectorsguild.com/index.htm, http://www.antiquearmssociety.org.au/

Good luck.

Cheers,

Graeme

 

[Darkman]

Hi, is there someone who knows anything about these experimental 60mm mortars?

There is a British connection somehow with the Broad Arrow markings on the fuze socket and the rep fuze.

I told my friend Ron that BOCN would be the best chance to find some information on them.

Thanks,

Graeme