Canadian Captured Grenatenwerfer Trench Mortar

[boltaction]

Good morning, and happy Boxing Day!
I thought it might be interesting for folks to see this trench mortar, which I obtained in rural Saskatchewan about 20 years ago or so. It's a bit rusty, and the firing pin is broken (minor problem) and I would love to find an old mortar round for it (or rig one up). These are pictured in Ludwig Olsen's Mauser Bolt Rifles.

This one has a plaque on it (see photos) stating captured by 20th Canadian Battalion at Cite Calonne Jan 17, 1917. I found an interesting pdf file on line (see link) detailing this particular large trench raid, which was carried out by members of the 20th and 21st Battalions.

A little bit of history for this holiday season!

Cheers

Ed

http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back%20...ary%201917.pdf











Ed

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Skip]

Here is a link for the frag round.

Granatenwerfer 16 ? Spigot mortar round - Value ?

[browningautorifle]

Nice piece Ed. A friend of mine has a 08 Maxim that was captured by 10th Calgary. It was slated for destruction but he bought it in time. You don't see enough of those things in private hands anymore.

[boltaction]

I agree. Several years ago, I offered this item and an 08/15 I have (see next thread) to the Canadian War Museum. I'm older and wiser now. The fellow I corresponded with, now not there anymore I think, would not give me a value on the items. He wanted me to ship them to him, then the museum would "decide if the items fit into their needs or not" and at that point he would offer me some sort of valuation. I turned them down. I've since learned that the CWM is currently concentrating more on armoured fighting vehicles, and that there is little interest in small arms there at the moment. A friend of mine goes there sometimes, and next time I'm in Ottawa, I may go with him if possible to see the vault. It's supposed to be amazing, full of all sorts of historic small arms, most of which will never see the public light of day. Damn shame, really.........

Ed

[browningautorifle]

Their vault really, really is amazing Ed. Really worth sneaking in to...and take a wheelbarrow for your finds!

[boltaction]

I suppose that it does ensure that things don't get destroyed or lost, but it is a shame that things aren't displayed........

Ed

[browningautorifle]

They have SOOOOO much that they used to only display a very small fraction. It's sad if they don't have ANY out now.

[blazer91]

I also regret that items donated cannot be displayed due to lack of space. My father donated to the Canadian War Museum back in the 80s a couple of dart "bombs" that were brought back by my great-grandfather after WW1. These were heavy darts approx. 1' long that were dropped from zeppelins and did some damage (collapsing roofs?) i'm guessing before actual exploding bombs were used.
While i know that museums rely on many donated items, it seems like just a loss to me (on a personal level) especially when i know they are just sitting in a box on a storeroom shelf.
Wish i could get them back from Ottawa and display them in the "National Air Force Museum" in Trenton, Ont.
Jim

[brianV]

A friend of mine goes there sometimes, and next time I'm in Ottawa, I may go with him if possible to see the vault. It's supposed to be amazing, full of all sorts of historic small arms, most of which will never see the public light of day. Damn shame, really.........

Ed

Their vault really, really is amazing Ed. Really worth sneaking in to...and take a wheelbarrow for your finds!

Gah, what vault? I've been to the CWM a half dozen times and wasn't aware of it. How do I get a tour?

I also heard a rumor floating around lately that the CWM was going to begin welding / dewatting their entire catalog. Is this true?

Edit: Just found a photo from their vaults: