81mm practice

**Fred** · 15th June 2010, 10:17 AM

I recently obtained this L67A2 mortar. Its a nice clean specimen with a solid dummy fuze. I was wondering , is this actually meant to be fired from a mortar or is it only for drill purposes? Also what does TV stand for in the markings?
It is marked L67A2 REP no 162 MK 11
and the body is marked
TV xx PAT 77

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks
Fred

**spotter** · 15th June 2010, 10:33 AM

These were used for firing practice ,its been repainted at sometime and should be light Blue in colour,attatched pic shows fired recovered rounds

**Fred** · 15th June 2010, 10:36 AM

Thanks for that spotter, I suspected that black was not the original colour.

Fred

**Chris 42 RQ** · 15th June 2010, 11:10 AM

All you need for that Fred is the small can of the correct colour paint and the "obturator" ring that sits in the large groove, they are not often seen (although Spotter may well see many) and the odd one turns up now and again at places such as Beltring and Stoneliegh, made of a fairly rigid plastic similar to "Perspex".

Whilst many break up on firing some do survive the process, also these are split so they can be fitted to the bomb.

**paul the grenade** · 15th June 2010, 07:02 PM

i have loads of obturating rings. if anyone wants any let me know
all free as usual.
paul.

**Chris 42 RQ** · 15th June 2010, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by paul the grenade

i have loads of obturating rings. if anyone wants any let me know
all free as usual.
paul.

I thought you were the "Grenade" man Paul ?
Litle bit of diversification going on ?

**pointblank0** · 15th June 2010, 10:57 PM

Here's mine. A bit battered. Paul, I would love one of those rings if possible mate.

**paul the grenade** · 15th June 2010, 11:00 PM

i was up on the ranges at catterick drop testing the mortars before a live firing exersize and picked up a handfull out off idle curiosity. and thought someone will want one of these one day.
send me your details pointblank0
cheers, paul.

**Bonnex** · 16th June 2010, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Fred

... Also what does TV stand for in the markings?
...

TV is just a part number prefix. It is not an acronym for anything but it was used to identify parts associated with Mortar Bombs and spigot ammunition. Similarly if you see something with a TW prefix it is something to do with a grenade, SV is a package, etc. There are/were also suffixes to identify the type of part. A for assembly, SA for sub-assembly etc. The number between the prefix and suffix is a serial number (eg TW13A). The part number was issued by the Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD).

The above is the simple explanation, the use of these numbers during the development and sealing of a store, over the years since WW2 and across the Services is not straightforward.

[Ref The National Archives DEFE series]