$10 Money Pit, 81mm Mortar

[browningautorifle]

When we say "Gas check"

We mean the obturating ring...

The gas check goes into the groove a little over halfway up the shell. These are expandable so I can put a new one into the groove.

You have to understand these aren't recovered. These are H.E. and are gone, at least that bomb is. The obturating rings often as not are around the baseplate position after. The old bombs had "Bourlettes" cut right into the bomb. The new plastic ones had an angle at the ends so they would be forced out to seal the bore when gasses forced the bomb out.

To weigh it, just take it in hand and step on your scale at home. The step off and put it down and step back on. The difference is...

[Aragorn243]

No scale. Never had one. That is a bit unusual I know.

Not sure if the new obturating ring is plastic or not. Photo was kind of crap. It is split kind of like a key ring.

[browningautorifle]

It is split kind of like a key ring.

That's what I expect to see...split and slides up to pop into the groove.

[Aragorn243]

Money pit got even deeper today. Fuse and obturating ring came and the fuse does not even come close to fitting which is odd because from the photos, it should. So now, not only to I have to find another fuse, I have to find a shell body for this oversized fuse. It never ends.

[browningautorifle]

fuse does not even come close to fitting

Wrong thread?

[Aragorn243]

Wrong thread, wrong size. I have doubts this fuse is even for an 81mm. If it is, it's not for one of the "tear drop" types like i have. It looks like it has an outer ring thread on top of a smaller thread rim that would actually fit my threads but the head itself is still too big. It would stick out about a quarter inch all the way around.

[mmppres]

well i can weld that up an make it look good on out side but re thread is going to be tricky.

[browningautorifle]

It would stick out about a quarter inch

Sounds like a 105...maybe it'll go on the WTS, there's ammo collectors hereabouts...

[Aragorn243]

You were right. There was some writing on the side that I couldn't quite make out in natural light so I got a high power flashlight out. This fuse is an PD M557 105mm fuse. It is what they have in the photo on the site I bought it from CDVS but they ID it as an 81mm fuse.

Now the question is should I complain or just keep it as an additional piece for my collection. Can't find anyone selling them to see if I paid a fair price for it.

[CINDERS]

Keep it and get a 105mm shell to poke it in you may be able to swing a discount off the place you got it off citing they mis ID'ed the fuse so they may give you a bit if they have an 81mm fuse otherwise keep searching.