81 mm
 

Every year my wife buys me gifts certificates for christmas and my birthday to a local antique store. Went to look around today and came across this 81 mm shell. Had to pick it up for $38.. I am now debating on going back as they had another 1 exact same except for the markings.. Looking for information and thoughts.

I wish I could help you, but the only thing I know about them is that my late father launched literally THOUSANDS of them in the direction of German forces during WW2. I have never handled one.

He was a Platoon sergeant of a weapons platoon until late in the war when he received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant...

I hope someone else can give you the details you are looking for.

Dave, Like John's Father I was an 81 MM Mortar crewman but in VN. I can't tell much about this round, from the markings it is likely American? ..You might have some luck on Google. There is bound to be a lot if information out there.

For $38 bucks you can't go wrong anyway. Better to have two than one. They make nifty bookends or door stops. I can tell you that you could get at least $100 on Ebay for one, as it is WW2 dated.
Splurge a little and buy another piece of irreplaceable history. Look around and find some innert nose fuses and they will look great!!

I've fired a very few but can recall nothing useful. Alanint's idea of doorstops or bookends (tall books) crossed my mind as well.

David

I plan to pick the other one up tomorrow and then keep them both for that price.. I would love to find the nose fuses? Any idea where I might look for them?

Try Coleman's. If they don't have inert examples they can probably help you find a couple of them.

http://www.colemans.com/ordnance.htm