DEACTIVATED INERT. French, 1939 Dated, Unfired Brandt Mle 27/31, 81mm High Explosive (HE) Heavy Mortor. Sn - 20735 DEACTIVATED INERT. French, 1939 Dated, Unfired Brandt Mle 27/31, 81mm High Explosive (HE) Heavy Mortor. Sn - 20735 Other Ammunition

DEACTIVATED INERT. This is an unfired French 1939 dated, Brandt Mle 27/31 high explosive (HE) 81mm heavy mortor was first introduced into service in 1931 and continued until the 1960s. Edgar Williams Brandt whilst working for the Brandt company in France developed the British 3 inch Stokes mortor including new projectiles in the 1920-30s and influenced the design of most modern and pre-war mortors. This mortors designation was the (Mortier Brandt de 81mm, 37/31 was a conventional muzzle loading mortor with a firing pin at the bottom of the mortor tube. This mortor is the heavy version which held a greater amount of explosive and had a shorter range. The mortor measures 22 inches long. The mortor has a cast iron body which is stamped above the fins 1939 (date) and two feint inspection marks. The body retains most of its original painted finish of painted light grey with the top 90mm painted red. The top has a steel fuse adaptor screwed into the body with a screw in brass percussion fuse fitted. The fins are made of pressed steel and fold out with the assistance of coil springs when fired. The fins are kept closed by brass wire to prevent damage in transit and in use. The body has a white 3cm band near the base and is stencilled EMPTY on the side. The price includes UK delivery and no licence is required to possess inert ammunition in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 20735