My description might be wrong but i cannot find anything in my books / paperwork about this piece, i think it was projected with compressed air (not sure) can anyone fill me in on the details of the piece,thanks in advance
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6cm trench mortar
- Thread starter earni74
- Start date
Slick
Well-Known Member
I believe it is a 60mm Brandt HE Model 1916 B
It is/was used with a pneumatic mortar system.
As well, the red color = training/practice round
Some other info: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ordnance-ammo/ww1-french-pneumatic-mortar-round-2219/
It is/was used with a pneumatic mortar system.
As well, the red color = training/practice round
Some other info: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ordnance-ammo/ww1-french-pneumatic-mortar-round-2219/
Last edited:
Book from 1918 about 60mm pneumatic mortars : https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65562663?rk=21459;2
The glass projectiles are here : http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/95991-60mm-Brandt-Mortar?highlight=glass+projectile
Bellifortis
Well-Known Member
Hallo,
I'm amazed. Having studied munitions for decades, I have never come across this manual bicycle-pump hydraulic projection system. I wonder what pressures this system could attain and what maximun distance these shells could be lobbed ? Already in the 17th century socalled "Windguns"(Windbuechsen) were built that did attain quite high pressures to propel bullets at a quite high velocity. Poachers loved them. But, a 60mm grenade is something different. Any additional info would be very welcome.
regards,
Bellifortis.
I'm amazed. Having studied munitions for decades, I have never come across this manual bicycle-pump hydraulic projection system. I wonder what pressures this system could attain and what maximun distance these shells could be lobbed ? Already in the 17th century socalled "Windguns"(Windbuechsen) were built that did attain quite high pressures to propel bullets at a quite high velocity. Poachers loved them. But, a 60mm grenade is something different. Any additional info would be very welcome.
regards,
Bellifortis.
Bellifortis
Well-Known Member
Hi @sgdbdr,
thank you very much for that link. I regretted it already man times that I never learned the french language.
regards,
Bellifortis.
My thought is that the French were scrambling to field this poor device in 1916. The Germans started the war with 170 and 250 mm proper trench mortars - and later the lighter weight 75.8mm. The French 75mm cannon was an excellent weapon, but almost useless against trenches. The remainder of the French heavy artillery was obsolete 155 and 240mm De Bange weapons with no recoil systems. The Germans had modern 105mm, 150mm, 210mm, 305mm and 420 mm howitzers in large numbers from the start. The French were massively outgunned almost to the end of 1917. Hence, the French suffered three times the casualties of the Germans in a war dominated by artillery.