Chinese Type 53 82mm Mortar

[Dronic69]

This is the first one I have come across in decades - well OK, the only one then! (perhaps I live a sheltered life..............)

Reasonably nice example of a Chinese Type 53 82mm Mortar bomb with original paint and stenciling...................

A couple of queries:

1) What is the function of the collar adapter? (internal smooth tapered throat)
2) How common are they?
3) Is there a date stamp?
> Body has stamped: "07-84-9103"
> Black stenciling : "07-86-71"

Thanks

Cheers
Drew

 

[Dronic69]

Any thoughts, comments or opinions on the adapter?

Thanks

Cheers

 

[jonnyc]

No thoughts at all on your example, but I have a good story.
One day, back in the mid-'80s, I was plowing a cotton field in North/Central Israel. I got a bit of a 'thunk' and one of the spaces between the plates got jammed-up. I stopped to see what the problem was and found a Chinese 82mm mortar round wedged in the plow. Gently wedged it out (probably a dumb move......I was young) and called the local Police EOD. That edge of the field was near an army training area, specifically a spot that Soltam used to test stuff. I drove back to the little armory I ran to get a roll of det-cord that some kids had been using as a clothes-line and drove back to meet the "Hablan". Brewed up a bit of Turkish coffee and spent a pleasant morning talking to the guy and blowing stuff up.
Coincidentally, that training area was where I used to hike and eventually started finding things I couldn't identify. That's when I changed from an accumulator to a collector.

 

[Dronic69]

Very interesting story thanks for sharing - I can't match that one! :tinysmile_angry_t:

(Ho hum, back to my boring life......................)

How common are these in the US? I would have thought a number of these would have been brought back after Vietnam?

 

[Dronic69]

I'm wondering if the adopter was used for DE-activation purposes as I found this on the web where the caption stated "in preparation for DE-militarization in Albania".................

Looks like the same type of adopter............

 

[HAZORD]

I was thinking possibly an adapter to take a fuze for a stake mine.

 

[Dronic69]

That's an interesting option indeed - any specific type of fuse were you referring to /thinking off?

Thanks
Cheers

 

[HAZORD]

Tripwire style. Some stake mines aren't threaded. Use a round piece of wood with a hole through the center that fits the fuze snugly.

 

[Dronic69]

After making a few inquiries it appears they are not as common as I had expected - in fact it appears to be quite the opposite................(well here in OZ anyway).

Mortar bombs are not really my line of interest anymore and the novelty factor has warned off - so off to the "Swap/Sale" bucket.

Cheers
Drew

 

[Dronic69]

I finally unscrewed the adapter and found something very interesting which I have not come across before...........

Still have no ideas on the original usage, but it appears to have two functions:

1) Detonate the bomb when a explosive "flash" is funnel into the tapered throat - via the number of flash holes (stick mine type as suggested);
2) Impact detonation when it is dropped or perhaps fired from a mortar? - notice the internal spring, firing pin /point and the hollow shaft leading into the bomb. (Not shown/missing is the internal cap that the pin would have impacted, held in place by the spring tension until a severe impact would compress the spring tension and "bang" ).

As the adapter has been professionally machined (i.e. not improvised), would this have been a special combined "boobytrap /mortar" round fuze?

Any thoughts?
Thanks
Cheers
Drew

 

[mannra]

I don't know what the adapter was for unless it was as a spotting charge for a practice round or possibly a burster. The photo of the to be demilitarized mortars appears to show bakalite shipping plugs vice adapters.

Bob

 

[millector]

G'day Drew,just wondering if you still have the Chicom mortar,l'm in Victoria and have been chasing one for years. Doug

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Doug,

My apologies but they left my custody 2 mths ago.

Although I only now collect very specific types of fuzes (and there are not many of those around to my Wife's joy!!!), I do tend to purchase other interesting inert ordnance that occasionally surface or I know are uncommon.......

Once the "honeymoon" period is over - out they go. Normally to Victorian Collectors /Dealers that don't have to worry about the collecting permits.

I'm PM you some further information.

Cheers
Drew

 

[millector]

Hi Doug,

My apologies but they left my custody 2 mths ago.

Although I only now collect very specific types of fuzes (and there are not many of those around to my Wife's joy!!!), I do tend to purchase other interesting inert ordnance that occasionally surface or I know are uncommon.......

Once the "honeymoon" period is over - out they go. Normally to Victorian Collectors /Dealers that don't have to worry about the collecting permits.

I'm PM you some further information.

Cheers
Drew

G'day Drew,no drama.You win some you loose sum,its all about being in the right place at the right Time. CheersDoug