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Can someone help me identify this unknown mortar?

WWIIBuff

Well-Known Member
Hello Gentlemen,

I recently picked up this WWII era mortar with what appears to be original German paint. It looks similar to a French mortar, but not exact. Can anyone help to identify this mortar for me?

898 1.jpg898 3.jpg898 4.jpg898 5.jpg898 8.jpg898 11.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Not a mortar guy, so don't know. A bore diameter would help ID. 50mm maybe?

Yes, sorry, it appears to be about a 50mm, but I am not sure yet. The mortar is in transit to me, so once I have it I can post exact dimensions. Based on the information from the seller, I do not think the standard German 50mm round will fit, it is a little too large (see picture).

898 (12).JPG
 
It's a French "Lance Grenades de 50mm Modele 37" mortar.
It has a minimum range of 70 mtrs and a maximum range of 460 mtrs.
The Germans took them in service as the "Granatenwerfer 203 (f).

Here the mortar bomb belonging to the weapon:
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/88393-French-50mm?highlight=50mm+mortar+shell

Regards, DJH

Thank DJH. Someone on another form also told me that it is a Lance Grenades de 50mm Modele 37, but my example looks different than the examples I've found on this form and the web. Perhaps mine is an earlier model as it does not look a "high-tech" as the other examples I have seen for the French Lance Grenades de 50mm Modele 37 like the one in this picture...
 

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  • Bill Grist (10) French M37 Mortar.jpg
    Bill Grist (10) French M37 Mortar.jpg
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