Mortier M1 de 81 mm

The M1 mortar is an American 81 millimeter caliber mortar. It was based on the French Brandt mortar. The M1 mortar was used from before World War II until the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 mortar. Weight: Tube 44.5 lb (20 kg) Mount 46.5 lb (21 kg) Base plate 45 lb (20 kg) Total M43A1 Light HE: 6.87 lb (3.11 kg); range min 200 yd (183 m); range max 3290 yd (3010 m); 80% frag radius 25 yd (23 m) (compared favorably with the 75 mm howitzer). M53 Short Delay fuze (explode on surface). M43A1 Light Training An empty version of the M43A1 Light HE with an inert fuze. It was used as a training shell until it was replaced by the M68 Training Practice shell. M45 Heavy HE: 10.62 lb (4.82 kg); range max 2558 yd (2064 m); bursting radius comparable to the 105 mm howitzer. Equipped with a delay fuze so some penetration is possible for demolition use. M56 Heavy HE: 15.01 lb (6.81 kg); range max 1300 yards (1200 m). Early shells used the M53 fuze, but it was replaced by the M77 Timed Super Quick (TSQ) fuze. M57 WP (White Phosphorus) "Bursting Smoke": 10.74 lb (4.87 kg); range max 2470 yd (2260 m); designed to lay down screening smoke, but had definite anti-personnel and incendiary applications. M57 FS (a solution of Sulfur trioxide in Chlorosulfonic acid) Chemical Smoke: 10.74 lb (4.87 kg), range max 2470 yd (2260 m); laid down dense white fog consisting of small droplets of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. In moderate concentrations, it is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and skin. M68 Training Practice: 9.50 lb to 10.10 lb. An inert teardrop-shaped cast iron shell without provision for a fuze well that was used to simulate the M43 Light HE shell. The casing on early models was painted black but post-World War 2 versions are painted blue. It came in 9 different weights (engraved on the shell) to allow it to simulate shell firing with and without booster charges. Weight Zone One (9.5 lbs.) simulated a shell with the maximum of 8 booster charges and Weight Zone Nine (10.10 lbs.