Original French WWII Inert 50mm Mortar Round for Modèle 37 Light Infantry Mortar with German Fuze & Waffenamt

Original Item: Only One Available: The Brandt mle 37 (Model of 1937) Light Mortar was one of several mortar systems adopted by the French just prior to World War 2 (1939-1945). The 81mm mle 27 was introduced in 1927 and the 50mm mle 37 followed in 1937, though its issuance did not occur until 1939. The type was introduced to succeed the standard platoon-level French infantry rifle grenade by allowing for more potent, accurate in-direct firepower against entrenched enemy forces. The result was a light-enough and reliable weapon to make a statement during the Grand War - though the collapse of the French defense in the German invasion of 1940 made certain that the mortar would see more action in the hands of Vichy French forces as well as the Germans. In the latter case, the mortar took on the designation of Granatenwerfer 203(f) - the lowercase "f" signifying its French origins.

Like all deactivated ordnance, this round is Not Available for Export.

The mle 37 exhibited a caliber of 50mm and its launch tube measured 415mm in length. Setup weight was 3.65 kilograms. Onboard controls allowed for traversal of 8-degrees to either side though elevation was fixed at 45-degrees. Rate-of-fire possible was up to 25 rounds per minute while the standard shell was High-Explosive (HE) in nature. Range was out to 695 meters and velocity for the outgoing shell was listed at 70 meters per second. Beyond the traditional launch tube a baseplate was featured as was a folding bipod assembly.

This is a great 50mm French mortar for the MLE37 mortar. We’ve actually offered several of the actual mortars before, but this is the first mortar round for the MLE37 we’ve offered. This example actually has a German-marked fuze attached, with a Waffenamt stamp reading WaA178. 

After the French defeat the Germans converted modèle 37 ammunition to serve as sub-munitions for their AB 70-D1 cluster bombs. The ammunition was given a new tail fin and these sub-munitions were given the German classification SD 1 FRZ. Another German conversion was the Behelfsmine W-1 which consisted of removing the nose fuze and tail fins then adding a Buck chemical crush fuze to the projectile and using it either as a small anti-personnel mine or as a booby trap.

We aren’t sure what sort of conversion this was, but the German fuze fits well. The mortar retains the fuze attached to the top, removable at the base and the top piece. The base is stamped SEP 40 / M 39 and the top is stamped 22 43 (Waffenamt) 2cm Kpt. Z.Zerl. Fg. edb.

A very interesting mortar, ready for further research and display.