I recently acquired a M2 60mm mortar setup and I am starting to restore parts of it. The bipod is dated 1955 so it’s a later production one. I need some help and I have a have a few questions.
https://flic.kr/p/Dwia2L
The barrel isn’t live, it’s a black powder setup.
First thing I need help with is I want to replicate the leather leg strap that the WW2 models had. Can someone who owns one of these take some measurements of the leather leg strap, buckle, and leather grip that goes above it on the leg? I have some material I just need detailed measurements and pictures. A close up of both sides of the rivets that hold the strap on would be greatly appreciated as well.
Next thing, the lower tube clamp... mine is aluminum
https://flic.kr/p/21E8HoX
Is this just because it’s later production? Or were they all aluminum castings?
I appreciate any help in advance. Also, any leads on where I can find a traversing mechanism or any parts at all for that matter would be appreciated. The traversing screw mechanism in mine is all home made...
M2 60mm mortar info needed
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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M2 60mm mortar info needed
-Dan
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
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- G-Sergeant
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Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
The leather strap is 1inch wide and approx 23in long or 27inch ish.. if you count the 4inches that is folded back on it self and riveted for attachment to the leg. 3/16 thick leather with 13 3/16th holes spaced 3/4inch on their centers beginning 2.5inches from the end of the strap. The copper rivet is .5 inch on the flat side, and 7/16 on the washer side. Leather belt loop is 9/16ths wide. WWII collars would be brass or later aluminum but would have raised casting numbers on the top "C70412" and smooth w/o casting numbers for post war. Also whats wrong with your traverse exactly? the brass member looks correct, is it just the turn wheel that is home made?
1945 Willy's MB
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
Thank you so much!!! Just what I needed. The cast traversing housing is fine. The aluminum hand wheel, traversing screws, everything but the casting is home made. Well done but not original. The aluminum tube clamp casting is marked M1712 it appears. I figured it’s post war just wanted to make sure it’s US and not Chinese or yugo
-Dan
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:06 am
- Location: Elgin, SC
Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
Correction. The lower clamp is makred M1112
-Dan
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:06 am
- Location: Elgin, SC
Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
Thought I'd post a little follow up on this. I'm no seamstress or leather worker but I think this grip came out nicely. This is my second attempt, the first one didn't go so well. Next is the strap, but I'm waiting on getting in some chemicals so I can blacken the buckles I bought. Thanks Corman2011 for the pictures, couldn't have done it without you.
-Dan
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
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- G-Master Sergeant
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Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
The grip looks great Dan. The grip on my mortar is a bakelite or fiberglass tube. I wonder when they switched from leather. Also curious when the strap switched from leather to webbing.
Fritter
Fritter
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: M2 60mm mortar info needed
Thanks Fritter! Mine is actually 1955 manufacture so it had a web strap, but it was broken off about half way. It had a thick piece of webbing stitched crudely for a grip which I assume wasn’t original. So yours is Bakelite huh? Didn’t realize they made them that way I thought they were leather. What year is yours? Have a pic by chance?
-Dan
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
1945 GPW 267188 (numbers matching)
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