17cm Minenwerfer.....

[starshell]

Hi all,
Does anyone know for certain if the 17cm Minenwerfer ever had a copper driving band? I'd really appreciate a picture or at least confirmation.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[MINENAZ16]

Hello,

I'm sure you remember this thread ! http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/90038-17-CM-Minenwerfer?highlight=minenwerfer

I have to clean my example to take another picture. I think it'is a copper band but not sure (it could be a brass band). The band seems to be more red than yellow.

Regards

 

[starshell]

Hi Minenaz16,
Yes indeed, I remember that thread....
But now I have another 17cm, but this time this one has a Copper driving band?? I think I remember you very kindly providing info for me last time, and saying that Model 13 17cm minenwerfers had a Copper or Brass band.
But I can't find any definate info or pictures of said shell with a Copper band. I suspect this may also be a re-banded job. Seen loads with Brass band, but Copper?
Have I bought a dud??
Really struggling to find a 'proper' untinkered 17cm!!
Cheers,

 

[starshell]

Hi Minenaz16,
I see what you mean. Mine looks very similar, but turned out to be Copper.
Cheers!

 

[DICKAREN]

There is a photo of one with copper band on my profile page.
Richard

 

[Alpini]

Normal are zinc or brass driving bands but brass was sometimes replaced by bronze (it's slightly darker than brass). Brass and bronze would be much harder than copper, it's easy to distinguish.

 

[starshell]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.
I'll sit on this one for a while then (not literally...). Still looking for a cracking example, so till then it'll stay.

 

[Burney Davis]

I have a 25cm minenwerfer with a copper band but not a 17cm. So if they made the 25cm ones with a copper band there is every good chance they did the same with the 17cm, although I suspect rather rare.

Best

D.

 

[starshell]

Many thanks for that Burney Davis. It makes sense given that comparison. As mentioned earlier, I've yet to find any illustrations or official descriptions of Copper banded 17cm's but then I guess if they were uncommon/rare would the info have ever existed anyway? Seems the Zinc/Brass bands won the day....
Many thanks.

 

[MINENAZ16]

Hello,

17cm m.Spr.M.13 with different bands : brass and copper (or bronze alloy).

Regards

 

[Alpini]

it looks like soft pure copper (many scratches)

 

[starshell]

Thanks a million for that Minenaz16,
That exactly what I was hoping to find out, and great pics too. Much appreciated!
Another mystery solved...
Cheers!