2" Mortar Multi-Star.

[ron3350]

I show my 2" Multi-star Australian mortar shells.
All seem to be Hebro bodies loaded at ME or MY. Were the plain end caps used when not stamped with raised symbols?
I always thought they may have been factory samples before stamping?
Only the AGM monogram is Australian. Australian glass Manufacturers. Made bottles and mortar caps and fuze parts in alloy.
I have no idea on the brass cap. Fine thread so only fits the steel tails.

Photos:
a is a group photo.
b is red & green multi front view.
c is red & green multi reverse.
d is white and red multi front view.
e is white & red Multi reverse.
f is the end caps by Hebco.
g is the cartridge cap.

The alloy tail is marked 3 arrow and may be a replacement. I guess we used these as well as the usual steel tails. Wrong tail cap.
Tail caps and front caps are hard to find as parts. All MD steel tails as usual.

 

[BMG50]

Nice collection of multi stars you have there.

 

[TimG]

Australian Glass Manufacturers Co., Pty., Ltd., of Spotswood, Victoria, contribution to the war effort included the machining of 3.7” shell, 4.5” shell (smoke), shell forging, fuzes, diecasting and last but not least a toolsetters’ training school.

TimG

 

[ron3350]

I am still waiting to see examples of British made Multi Stars. Case print etc. Ron.

 

[tigbrand]

Hi Ron,these are exceptionally rare in the UK. I have one and a few tatty single stars, will post when im home in the week, cheers Tig.

 

[ron3350]

tigbrand. These are scarce here also. I have only found these 4 Multi's in 40 years. I may show my red and green signals later.
Photos to show the Australian Hebco and AGM monograms much clearer to see. I still need a better red multi and more post war examples. Ron.

 

[ron3350]

I forgot the photos.

 

[BMG50]

I will try to post mine.

 

[ron3350]

Just going to bed. I look forward to some variations in printing, tails and nose caps. Ron.

 

[BMG50]

A couple of muti stars British. Early red with black writing and multi white.

 

[ron3350]

I like your white multi. The red one looks like a single star unless it is a feint multi mark I cannot see.
I have not found a British example yet but our photos show the difference is the tail stem, case print and caps. Thank you BMG50.
I hope others can also send examples for our files. Ron.

 

[ron3350]

I just noticed that all my examples have only 2 vent holes near the tail stem where your one has 4 vent holes.

 

[BMG50]

The red muti is definitely a multi but it’s hard to see dated 4/42 the early illum star rounds had a phoshated body with black writing with plain cap the later with black painted body with yellow and white writing in a yellow rectangle, the caps with a raised logo denoting type. This early multi has a No3 tail. The British No3 tails do differ from Austailian No3 tails as they have which looks like a notch for an propellant charge like the 3” mortar but obviously not.
As for the vent holes on all illum, star and multi which sets off the delay for the star or parachute to pop out or stars, the 4 holed base is Mk1 which they had a lot of problems with with reports of too many blinds due to moisture problem especially for jungle use. Improvement moved to the two holed version the Mk2 and continued till the end of the 2” use in service. I have rounds which still have the foil disc seal in with red paste,obviously not fired but deactivated. Most of the British mortar illum para and star rounds were filled by S&W, scoffing and willmott (spelling may not be right) who made garden rollers and gardening tools before and after the war.

 

[Snufkin]

Most of the British mortar illum para and star rounds were filled by S&W, scoffing and willmott (spelling may not be right) who made garden rollers and gardening tools before and after the war.

The white-banded mortar round shown was certainly manufactured by Scoffin & Wilmot Ltd, London, but it was filled at ROF Kirkby - the KBY monogram and filling date and LOT number.

 

[stephen crowhurst]

Can any body help with the marking that should be on this box please. I have worked out that in the middle it should have; 18 BOMBS IN 3 CARRIERS and on the r/h 2" MORTAR SIGNAL MULTI-STAR WHITE but I cannot tell what was printed beneath this.
Thanks Stephen

 

[BMG50]

Here are the para illum early and late, one with parachute and early signal with cardboard inner and cap.

 

[BMG50]

Although hard to see on the signal round is the S&W logo.

 

[TimG]

Stephen,

Something on the lines of - "Cartridge 55GR Ballistite MkI" See http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/96341-2-quot-smoke-box?p=282580&viewfull=1#post282580

TimG

 

[BMG50]

Here are the differences in Mk 1 and 2 ilium rounds, from 4 to two.

 

[ron3350]

Thanks for the Mk 1& 2 tail vent differences. However the Hebco Australian ones are both stancilled Mk1 on the case using both sized vents.