October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
The Stokes mortar was developed by Frederick Wilfred Scott Stokes early in 1915 as a result of the British encountering the German minenwerfer on the Western front. As so often happens, once one side has something, the other side wants to have their own version. This is a World War II 1941 manufactured mortar marked “ML 3 IN – MORTAR MK II” over “1941”. It includes the original bipod and baseplate. No optics present. This particular specimen was amnesty registered with an IRS number. By World War II there was very little difference between the basic 81 MM mortar designs of several countries. All were based on the earlier French Brandt Model 27/31 mortar design. The bipod of this mortar is very robust with a heavy brass collar because the British recognized the significant energy contained in the propellent to launch their mortar “bombs” up to 2500 yards. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original green paint with numerous small dings and scratches to the paint on the tube with the 8” closest to the muzzle appropriately devoid of paint to facilitate the bipod collar. About 50% loss to the paint at receiver cup revealing clean bare metal where it meets the baseplate. Bipod is very good with green paint chipping away with to reveal a gray patina. Baseplate retains carrying chain and original paint chipping away to reveal spots of brown patina. Mechanics of bipod are functional. Bore is extremely fine and clean with some original paint and otherwise gray patina. Just a great World War II British mortar to take to a reenactment for display, or to the range for a little recreation. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE. JWK 2019-10-201.
Accessories
Bipod and baseplate
FFL Status
Destructive Device