This weapon was a standard light mortar of the Italian Army in World War II. The mortar is a breach-loaded, trigger-fired weapon, mounted on a folding tripod with a padded frame hinged to the rear leg.
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Brixia 45mm Light Mortar Model of 1935 |
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This weapon was a standard light mortar of the Italian Army in World War II. The mortar is a breach-loaded, trigger-fired weapon, mounted on a folding tripod with a padded frame hinged to the rear leg. |
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Only one charge is employed. The propelling cartridge is fed from a detachable 10 round box magazine; The projectile, however, must be loaded singly by hand. Range may be reduced by opening the barrel ports, or it may be increased by closing the barrel ports. |
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| Brixia 45mm Light Mortar before | Brixia 45mm Light Mortar after | |
| This weapon is capable of "low-angle" and "high-angle" fire, that is, below and above 45 degrees. The mortar uses integral metal front and rear sights, which are coordinated with a range scale, graduated in 50 meter increments. This range scale is fixed on the inside of the left elevating arc. | ||
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| Brixia 45mm Light Mortar before | Brixia 45mm Light Mortar after | |
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Salient recognition features of this mortar are; The leg padded cushion on the rear tripod for the gunner's chest. The 10 round box magazine for the propelling cartridges; The metal barley-corn front sight and pillar rear sight; The magazine projectile feed way opening in the top of the mortar tube; And the pronounced firing lever. The most challenging aspect of this restoration was the missing padded cushion on the rear tripod for the gunner's chest.
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| tripod foot with broken bracket | tripod foot with reproduction pad | |
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| reproduction pad frame - bottom | ||
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| Brixia 45mm Light Mortar before-showing missing part | Brixia 45mm Light Mortar after | Brixia 45mm Light Mortar before-showing broken lever |
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Also missing is the 10 round box magazine for the propelling cartridges and the firing lever was broken and missing. We were able to locate a complete Brixia to examine enabling us to accurately manufacture the missing and broken parts.
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Extra magazines for the propelling cartridges | |
| We did manufacture a few additional 10 round box magazine for the propelling cartridges that we are offering for sale. As with all of our restorations the entire project was restored to its original condition down to matching the original paint. |  |
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| Finished magazine for the propelling cartridges | ||
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Click on the photos to see an enlarged view. |  |
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