3 in mortar box

[13th battalion]

Hi guys, I'm restoring a 1942 3in mortar box and as I've been rubbing it down, the original lettering has appeared. The colours are green over brown, with all of the yellow writing being on the brown layer. I'm puzzled as to some of the wording, across the Middle it says' 6 BOMBS 3IN MOR HE 152 FUZE 'but underneath that it says '2AUG CARTS'. Above the all of this there is a number 'B.6717'. In the top left corner under the U shape it say 'LRS'
on the side it says at the top '80/20' the same wording as the front but also '100 GRS'. There is some writing underneath all of this but it is too faint too read.
Also,the 'u' shapes on front and back appear to be painted solid yellow with blue underneath.
any thoughts and ideas would be gratefully received.
thanks
Steve

 

[hangarman]

Hi guys, I'm restoring a 1942 3in mortar box and as I've been rubbing it down, the original lettering has appeared. The colours are green over brown, with all of the yellow writing being on the brown layer. I'm puzzled as to some of the wording, across the Middle it says' 6 BOMBS 3IN MOR HE 152 FUZE 'but underneath that it says '2AUG CARTS'. Above the all of this there is a number 'B.6717'. In the top left corner under the U shape it say 'LRS'
on the side it says at the top '80/20' the same wording as the front but also '100 GRS'. There is some writing underneath all of this but it is too faint too read.
Also,the 'u' shapes on front and back appear to be painted solid yellow with blue underneath.
any thoughts and ideas would be gratefully received.
thanks
Steve

6 BOMBS 3IN MOR HE 152 FUZE

6 = Number of rounds in box
3IN =calibre of rounds
HE = High Explosive
152 FUZE = Mark of fuze

2 Aug Carts = number of Augmenting Cartridges (Additional charges held in place with springs in the fins) (they were celluloid tubes)

B6717 = Batch number

100 GRS (I think is the amount of powder in the augmenting cartridges)

80/20 (is the explosive mix)

I'm sure someone else can fill in the gaps .

Cheers

Gary

 

[13th battalion]

Thanks Gary, that's brilliant!
steve

 

[13th battalion]

Anybody any thoughts on the yellow and blue indentations

 

[AE501]

The blue patches originally indicated the Long Range System, which would have been the 210 grain NRN9 augmenting cartridges. These have been replaced and the blue patches, particularly those on the 'U' shapes and handle areas, barred out in yellow, that being the overriding and likely colour to hand. There are 12 x 100 grain cartridges in the box not 2. It is crucial that the quantity of cartridges is marked on the box.
The filling is 80% Ammonium Nitrate / 20% TNT Grade 1.

 

[13th battalion]

Thanks for replying. Knowing what all of the markings mean,really bring it to life historically.

 

[AE501]

I forgot to say that if you look in the centre of the lid (usually best inside in mirror writing) you will find that it is a Box Steel B 166, probably a Mark and a Maker's logo.