Original British Cold War Era Inert 81mm XL31E2 Round With Prop “Donut” Charges For The M252 Mortar System Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This mortar round is totally non-functional and inert, having been deactivated according to specifications outlined by the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). It is totally inert, and cannot be converted to an explosive device.

Not Available For Export

The M252 81 mm medium weight mortar is a British-designed smooth bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to light infantry, air assault, and airborne units across the entire front of a battalion zone of influence. In the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, it is normally deployed in the mortar platoon of an infantry battalion.

This British XL3E2 HE round is in great condition and retains almost all original markings and paint. The round measures approximately 19” in length and features of lovely deactivated Point Denoting Fuse with original arsenal sticker. The donut charges on this example are labeled as being M223 prop charges with 4 in total.

The range of a mortar is controlled by the number of propellant “C-charges” attached. A charge is a semi-circular donut of nitrocellulose, which resembles a puffy letter “C.” A round for the M252 mortar comes with four charges attached. Longer-range shots require more propellant than can fit in the tail of the round, hence the necessity of external charges.

When the target is ranged, the first assistant ammunition bearer adjusts the amount of propellant by removing C-charges from the projectile. The mortar squad leader verifies the number of charges; then the assistant gunner drops the round down the muzzle of the tube. The round, pulled by gravity, accelerates down the smooth bore of the mortar until the primer (in the base of the tail boom of the round) strikes the firing pin located in the bottom of the mortar tube. The primer detonates, igniting the charge in the tail fin, which in turn ignites the C-charges on the round. The C-charges ignite, releasing hot, expanding gas which pushes against the obturating ring on the projectile, sealing the gas behind the projectile. The pressure from the expanding gas accelerates the projectile until it leaves the end of the tube.

This is a lovely example and comes more than ready for further research and display.