Original British WWII Type Ordnance ML 2-inch Inert Display Mortar with Sling and Muzzle Cover – dated 1951 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Demilitarized to specifications provided by the BATF, this is a fantastic ML (Muzzle Loading) 2-inch Mark 8* Mortar tube with base plate and trigger. It has had a bore-width hold drilled in the side of the tube, and had a bore-width steel plug welded into the breech end of the tube. The trigger mechanism of the base has also been deactivated and welded up. Not available for export.

This very nice example is marked ML-2 IN. MORTAR 8* / A.B.L. 51 on the bottom left of the base, with other arsenal proofs . We can see a British marking as well as what we assume is the serial number: No. 0565. These were made by many contractors after the war for commonwealth countries, and we believe this example was made in Belgium The mortar measures approximately 27 1/2 inches in overall length.

The right side of the firing mechanism / base plate assembly is marked with the serial number and maker information:

ML-2·IN. MORTAR 8*
A.B.L. 51
No. 0754

Overall this mortar is in very good condition and nearly identical to the wartime British Mortar. It comes complete with an original sling and muzzle cover, both of which are definitely post war. Ready to display!

The Ordnance ML 2-inch Mortar Mk II was an infantry-based, squad-level mortar weapon system standardized throughout the British Army beginning in 1938 – prior to the nation’s formal involvement in World War 2. The type was portable and highly reliable, able to contend with the rigors of the battlefield while also supplying a breath of ammunition options. The ML served the British Army well throughout the Cold War years that followed before it was formally replaced, its long-standing history becoming a testament to its well-executed design.”

While the British utilized a 2-inch squad-level system in the latter stages of World War 1, the type was labeled as obsolete following the end of the war and little thought was given to introducing a new, more modern portable light mortar system until unfolding events in Europe brought about the requirement. British authorities looked outside of their war industry to find a foreign product worthy of the Army and selected a 2-in mortar design from ECIA of Spain. After a period of evaluation and testing, the British Army unveiled the new “Ordnance ML (Muzzle Loading) 2-inch Mortar” into inventory with serial production beginning in 1938 under the Mk II designation.’

At its core, the Ordnance ML 2-inch Mortar was of a conventional design and arrangement. The design was naturally characterized by its launch tube of near-20 inch length which also held the applicable sighting and control facilities. The system lacked a true bipod stand and was supported instead by the operator through use of a small monopod leg fitted at the base of the design as well as a baseplate assembly to help handle recoil of the exiting projectile. As a muzzle-loading weapon, the mortar was fed active 50mm projectiles down the open muzzle end by the loader. Unique to the ML’s design was its trigger lever which allowed the firer the ability to launch the projectile inside the tube at his discretion. Conventional mortars of the time automatically actuated the projectile by the projectile contacting an awaiting firing pin located at the bottom of the launch tube. In all, the mortar system weighed in at just 9lbs.