The other day a friend of mind gave me a piece of WWII militaria. He said it was something his granddad brought back with him from North Africa, he had always assumed it was a British ammo case. Things like this are by no means my speciality, but what I did notice is that the stencilling on the lid is in German, the word Aufsatz (article) and on the lids interior is a di stamp of the Whermacht Eagle with WaA 763. From what I can gather this is a sort of quality control stamp? I'm certain that one of you guys will be able to ID this item for me, any help will be greatly appreciated. R.A.f.l.Gr.W.(38) Aufatz-Nr.58327 Rolhr-Nr. (?) Hx7cm. Wx7cm. Dx4.5cm
I am not 100% certain, but I believe the box to be a German Small Motar container, possibly 5cm. No doubt one of our resident experts will reply with a definitive answer when they see the question. Regards Tom
I think it's the carrying case, to be hung from the Y-Straps, for the sighting/rangefinding mechanism bit of the mortar.
Thanks guys ... Someone else mentioned a 'sighting' device, but with regards the rear sight of a rifle ... Interesting.
The WaA is a 'WaffenAmt' number, given out by the HeeresWaffenamt (Army's Weapon Inspection/approval agency) to identify approved manufacturers. - 763 apparently equates to Meta Metallwerk GmbH, Arnstadt, Thuringen (?). (CODES WAFFENAMT)
It's written Rohraufsatz für leichten Granatwerfer (as Tom said above) Aufsatz-Nr. Rohr-Nr. This is straight out of a German/English translator, Granatwerfer on it's own translates to mortar. But leichten Granatwerfer translates to Grenade Launcher.
The WaA is a 'WaffenAmt' number, given out by the HeeresWaffenamt (Army's Weapon Inspection/approval agency) to identify approved manufacturers. - 763 apparently equates to Meta Metallwerk GmbH, Arnstadt, Thuringen (?). (CODES WAFFENAMT) Thanks Adam ... Also had a 'hit' on WaA 763 ... The info you provided plus 20mm blank ammo.
This is straight out of a German/English translator, Granatwerfer on it's own translates to mortar. But leichten Granatwerfer translates to Grenade Launcher. Checking the German-English mil dictionary I find the following: Granatwerfer = mortar (leichter Granatwerfer would be small mortar, I guess) grenade launcher is translated as Schiessbecher which is a rifle grenade gadget thing (Gewehrgranatengerät). So I assume the problem isn't really the translation itself (because grenade launcher is literally Granatwerfer) but rather a tech issue.
Checking the German-English mil dictionary I find the following: Granatwerfer = mortar (leichter Granatwerfer would be small mortar, I guess) grenade launcher is translated as Schiessbecher which is a rifle grenade gadget thing (Gewehrgranatengerät). So I assume the problem isn't really the translation itself (because grenade launcher is literally Granatwerfer) but rather a tech issue. A tech issue indeed ... 2. Light Mortars a. 50-MM MORTAR (5 cm Leichter Granatenwerfer 36). (1) General description. This is a muzzle-loaded, trigger-fired weapon used solely for high angle fire. Elevation is adjusted by an elevating arm attached to the baseplate and supporting the tube, with provision for both coarse and fine adjustment. Traverse of about 15 degrees in either direction is controlled by a traversing arc of conventional design. Two cross-leveling handscrews, one on each side of the baseplate, are used for initial laying and to steady the mortar during firing. (2) Characteristics. Caliber . . . . . 50 mm (1.97 inches). Total weight . . . . . 31 pounds. Maximum traverse . . . . . 34°. Elevation . . . . . 43° to 90°. Maximum range . . . . . 570 yards. Weight of shell . . . . . 2.2 pounds. Rate of fire . . . . . 12 to 20 rounds per minute. (3) Ammunition. This weapon fires an HE shell weighing 2.2 pounds, including 4.5 ounces of TNT explosive filling.
Two links showing the motar. 5cm Granatwerfer 36 Mortar Walk Around Page 1 5 cm Granatwerfer 36 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I cannot find any references in my German weapons book for the 38 which is shown on the case. Regards Tom
Can't help with an identification, Chris, but what i did notice was the spring loaded catch is identical to that used on the german gas mask cannister.
Thanks for the links Tom. The only reference to the '38' I could find with regards the mortar type was to the fuse used on the ammo??? What I have discovered is that the original design of the leGrW 36 used an over complicated telescopic sight, which was withdrawn in 1938 in favour of a simple white line painted on the barrel. So, with Rohr meaning Bore (Artillery), and Aufsatz Gun Sight, maybe it's the carrying case for the original sight ?????? Information on which is proving difficult to find. John ... Well spotted on the spring clip Thanks Guys.
