81mm mortar

[Fred]

Hi folks
I have obtained this spent mortar round. It appears to be identical to the british L20A2 illuminating round that was used in the 1960s but the body colour and markings are not British. Has anyone any ideas who it might belong to?

 

[KTM-1u]

Reply

Looks like a french Illum- Mortarshell called:
MO 81MM CPLT OECL MLE F1
(but you will measure only 80mm)

 

[Fred]

Thanks for the info. It looks quite similar to the french M68 but its a bit shorter.

fred

 

[V40]

In my books it is indicating that it is indeed an 81 mm M68 Illuminating Bomb. The length should be on this one: 417 mm and the weight should be around 3.5 kg.

 

[Fred]

This one only measures 390mm but that may because it has a shorter fuze than would normally be found on the M68. Its possible that the body and tail are from different projectiles that someone has just picked up on a training range and fitted together.

Fred

 

[Fred]

I have attached pictures of both rounds from ordata. not much difference between them.

 

[kiwikodj]

Hi there, I am not sure but the body looks like the Hotchkis Brandt one and the tail unit mis match as the securing pin holes do not align. Different date too on the tail unit is it? something 69? Good luck.

 

[KTM-1u]

Looks like this one

 

[Fred]

Thanks for that. its nice to see what the main charge and driving band look like.

Fred

 

[bolgios]

French mortar : 81 mm H (Hotchkiss) B (Brandt) with fuze FH81 (Fuse Horlogre pour 81 mm )