Possible Ww2 Mortar Bomb - Information Wanted

[manowar]

Hello all,

While jogging this morning through the fields close to my home, I stumbled across an interesting item, reminiscent to a possible WW2 mortal bomb of some sort.

I'm not entirely sure what it is. Anyway I brought it home and scraped most of the dirt and grime off it.

I have attached some images of the artifact for you all to take a closer look.


Technical Specs:

On one of the 'tail-wings' of the artifact I noticed the engraving 'Z-6 FD LTD 1939 - 2'

On the top of the artifact, I noticed the number 40 engraved into the circular cap and what looks like the word 'WPC' in capitals.

Does anyone have any idea what this item actually is? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jonathan.

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[EddieSlovik]

Jonathan

Looks like the fins from a 2 inch mortar.

However, if you did not know what it was, other than it was something military, you should have left it well alone.

People have been killed picking up stuff to take home! You were lucky - this time - because the rest of the mortar bomb was not attached.





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[manowar]

Thanks for the information Eddie.

The actual item was just laying on the field. I knew there was no actual bomb attached the fins, as it was clearly visible at the time. Thank you for your concern, though

[EddieSlovik]

Originally posted by manowar@Aug 27 2005, 01:14 PM
Thanks for the information Eddie.

The actual item was just laying on the field. I knew there was no actual bomb attached the fins, as it was clearly visible at the time. Thank you for your concern, though

Quoted post

On this occasion, fair enough, but it's a good rule of thumb not to touch any stuff seen when out walking. In particular when walking a battlefield.

[manowar]

Originally posted by EddieSlovik@Aug 27 2005, 02:58 PM



On this occasion, fair enough, but it's a good rule of thumb not to touch any stuff seen when out walking. In particular when walking a battlefield.

Quoted post

Well I appreciate the advice Eddie, and I usually take that sort of common sense into consideration

It's strange how part of a mortar ends up in a field like that. I mean, I live in the North East of the UK, in a quiet rural town which I hardly think saw much action doing WW2. However, I did some research into the WW2 2-inch mortar, and apparently it was used for practice purposes...maybe soldiers were trained to use the mortar on that field?

[angie999]

It is indeed the tail of a 2" mortar bomb.

The propellant chage consited of a cartridge similar in size and shape to a shotgun cartirdge inserted into the hollow tube central to the tail. This was held in place with a screw cap. The hollow tube was perforated to allow an exit for the propellant gasses.

To confirm that it is inert, check for the presence and condition of this cartridge. If it is present and unperforated or not rotted and the percussion cap, visible through the base of the crew cap, has not been struck, you should assume that it is still live, even if it has been in the ground for 60 years.

Remember that this cartridge held a rather larger filling than a shotgun cartridge and, consequently, made a bigger bang.

I can conform from personal experience that firing a 2" mortar without ear protection is not pleasant!

My advice to anyone who has not undergone detailed training in identifying and handling military ordnance is never move it. And always remember - never assume it is safe to move just because somebody moved it.

[manowar]

Originally posted by angie999@Aug 28 2005, 11:30 AM
It is indeed the tail of a 2" mortar bomb.

The propellant chage consited of a cartridge similar in size and shape to a shotgun cartirdge inserted into the hollow tube central to the tail. This was held in place with a screw cap. The hollow tube was perforated to allow an exit for the propellant gasses.

Quoted post

Thank you for the additional information, Angie.

You mention that the hollow tube was held in place with a screw cap. Now, either this is pure coincidence, or a dead duck, but I was out again jogging this morning and I found what looks like a screw cap in the same place as I found the mortar fins....

I've attached some images of the cap, is it possible that this item was part of the mortar bomb? Or is it something completely different?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thank you

Jonathan

[manowar]

Originally posted by angie999@Aug 28 2005, 11:30 AM
It is indeed the tail of a 2" mortar bomb.

The propellant chage consited of a cartridge similar in size and shape to a shotgun cartirdge inserted into the hollow tube central to the tail. This was held in place with a screw cap. The hollow tube was perforated to allow an exit for the propellant gasses.

Quoted post

Thank you for the additional information, Angie.

You mention that the hollow tube was held in place with a screw cap. Now, either this is pure coincidence, or a dead duck, but I was out again jogging this morning and I found what looks like a screw cap in the same place as I found the mortar fins....

I've attached some images of the cap, is it possible that this item was part of the mortar bomb? Or is it something completely different?

Additional notes:

Printed onto the cap are the words 'Made in England' and "Tri-Sure"

Any information would be appreciated.

Thank you

Jonathan

[morse1001]

My advice to anyone who has not undergone detailed training in identifying and handling military ordnance is never move it. And always remember - never assume it is safe to move just because somebody moved it.

All such finds must be reported to the Police.

[angie999]

Originally posted by morse1001@Sep 3 2005, 04:27 PM

All such finds must be reported to the Police.

Quoted post

About two years ago, when I was the manager of a Council housing office, someone brough in what appeared to be a live round of 7.62mm ball ammunition of fairly recent government manufacture. It was quite clean and had been found, I was told, on the lawn, so someone must have thrown it there in the previous couple of days.

I popped it into an envelope to preserve any fingerprints and phoned the police. They didn't sound interested and suggested I take it to the local police station. As it was "only" a round of small arms ammunition and I really do know what I am doing with ammunition, I did just this, writing out some notes before I went for the statement I was sure they would ask for. When I went there, they seemed reluctant to take it and I had to get firm. They finally agreed, but did not want a statement, or even details.

Now I was not "just" a member of the public. I was a senior local government officer, well known in the community and also well known at the police station through working with them on a whole range of inter-agency projects and meetings.

Gobsmacked, or what? :angry: