Darkman
Well-Known Member
A collector friend has two 1950s dated 60mm mortars and is seeking information on them, as he cannot find any literature. He has been a collector for many years and has an extensive knowledge on ordnance, yet he has never seen or heard of this calibre mortar in Australian/British service. He acquired one mortar some years ago and more recently obtained another with markings that include EXPL, so believes they may be experimental.
They are definitely not American but Australian made with maker code ME for Explosives & Pyrotechnical Factory, Maribrynong, Melbourne. Interestingly they also include the British broad arrow on both the alloy fuze socket/adapter and the plug representative fuze.
Full stencil markings on each mortar are as follows (there are no stamped markings at all on the body or fins):
Mortar 1 - ME 12/55
Mortar 2 -
TNT
60MM MOR
EXPL
ME 7/56
Dimensions are as follows:
Plug fuzes appear to be solid brass.
Any information or explanation would be greatly appreciated, as my friend is completely stumped.
Cheers,
Graeme
They are definitely not American but Australian made with maker code ME for Explosives & Pyrotechnical Factory, Maribrynong, Melbourne. Interestingly they also include the British broad arrow on both the alloy fuze socket/adapter and the plug representative fuze.
Full stencil markings on each mortar are as follows (there are no stamped markings at all on the body or fins):
Mortar 1 - ME 12/55
Mortar 2 -
TNT
60MM MOR
EXPL
ME 7/56
Dimensions are as follows:
- Overall length including fuze - 295mm or 11 & 9/16
- Length of body without fuze but including fuze adapter - 247mm or 9 &
- Length of body without fuze adapter - 235mm or 9 & 5/16
- Diameter of steel body - 58mm
- Diameter of alloy fuze adapter - 59mm
- Nominal calibre - 60mm or 2 & 3/8
Plug fuzes appear to be solid brass.
Any information or explanation would be greatly appreciated, as my friend is completely stumped.
Cheers,
Graeme