M1 mortar


U.S. Soldiers fire an M1 mortar at Massa in Italy during World War II
Type	Infantry mortar
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States
Wars	World War II, Korean War
Specifications
Weight	see general data
Length	3 ft 11 in (1.19 m)

Caliber	81 millimetres (3.2 in)
Rate of fire	18 rpm sustained 30-35 rpm maximum
Muzzle velocity	700 ft/s (210 m/s)
Effective firing range	3,300 yd (3,000 m)
Sights	M4

The M1 mortar is an American 81 millimeter caliber mortar. It was based on the French Brandt mortar. The M1 mortar was used from World War II until the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 mortar.

General data

Weight:

Tube 44.5 lb (20 kg)
Mount 46.5 lb (21 kg)
Base plate 45 lb (20 kg)
- Total 136 pounds (62 kg)

Ammunition

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). Fast detonating fuze (explode on surface).
M45, M45B1 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). Had an adjustable fuze for quick or delay operation.
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.
M301 Illuminating shell: range max 2200 yd (2012 m); attached to parachute; burned brightly (275,000 candelas) for about 60 seconds, illuminating an area of about 150 yards (137 m) diameter. It used the M84 time fuze, which was adjustable from 5 to 25 seconds before priming charge detonated, releasing the illuminator and chute.

References

FM 23-90
TM 9-1260
SNL A-33

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 81 mm Mortar M1.

90th Infantry Division Preservation Group - page on 81 mm mortars and equipment
Popular Science, August 1943, Pill Boxes Destroyer article on M1 81mm mortar

United States artillery of World War II

Tank guns	37 mm gun M5/M6 75 mm gun M2/M3/M6 76 mm gun M1 3 inch gun M7 90 mm gun M3 105 mm howitzer M4

Anti-tank guns	37 mm M3 57 mm M1 75 mm M1897 3 inch M5 90 mm T8 105mm T8

Field, medium and heavy guns	75 mm M1897 75 mm howitzer M1 105 mm howitzer M2 105 mm howitzer M3 4.5 inch gun M1 155 mm howitzer M1918 155 mm howitzer M1 155 mm gun M1918MI 155 mm gun M1/M2 "Long Tom" 8 inch howitzer M1/M2 8-inch gun M1 240 mm howitzer M1

Mortars	60 mm mortar M2 81 mm mortar M1 4.2 inch mortar M2 Little David

Other vehicle-mounted	75 mm howitzer M2/M3 75 mm gun M1897 105 mm howitzer M2 155 mm gun M1918MI 155 mm gun M2

Anti-aircraft guns	37 mm M1 40 mm M1 3 inch M3 90 mm M1 120 mm M1

Coast artillery guns	3-inch gun M1903 90 mm M1 6-inch gun M1903 155 mm gun M1918MI 8-inch Mk. VI 8-inch gun M1888 10-inch gun M1895 12-inch coast defense mortar 12-inch gun M1895 14-inch gun M1907 16-inch gun M1895 16-inch gun M1919 16-inch Marks 2 and 3 16-inch howitzer M1920

Railway artillery	8-inch Mk. VI 8-inch M1888 14-inch M1920

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M1 mortar

General data

Ammunition

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

References

External links