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HANDCARTZ.COM
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M1A1 CHEMICAL MORTAR & AMMUNITION CART
Page 1
TR 1120-75
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE 1939
4.2-INCH CHEMICAL MORTAR, M1A1
SOURCE MANUAL
Page 34-40
Section VII
TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
CHEMICAL WARFARE SERVICE 1939
4.2-INCH CHEMICAL MORTAR, M1A1
SOURCE MANUAL
Page 34-40
Section VII
TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT
Shell carrier, M1
Chemical mortar cart, M1A1
Chemical mortar ammunition cart,M1A1
Weight of cart and load Paragraph
Chemical mortar cart, M1A1
Chemical mortar ammunition cart,M1A1
Weight of cart and load Paragraph
Paragraph
25
26
27
28
25
26
27
28
Figure 21.-Chemical mortar shell
carrier, M1.
carrier, M1.
26. Chemical mortar cart, M1A1.- The chemical mortar cart, M1A1, which is used for the transportation of the 4.2-inch
chemical mortar, M1A1 and accessories, spare parts, and ammunition, is a two wheel, man-drawn cart and consists of
a chassis and mortar cart rack (see fig. 22)
a. Chassis.- (1) The frame of the chassis is constructed from 2- by 2- by 3/16-inch structural steel angle, and is 26 1/8 inches wide and 37 inches long. The axle is welded near the center and carries motorcycle wheels, the tires of which are approximately 27 inches outside diameter. The width of the tread is 33 ¾ inches and the over-all length of the cart, including the poles, is 7 feet 3 9/16 inches.
a. Chassis.- (1) The frame of the chassis is constructed from 2- by 2- by 3/16-inch structural steel angle, and is 26 1/8 inches wide and 37 inches long. The axle is welded near the center and carries motorcycle wheels, the tires of which are approximately 27 inches outside diameter. The width of the tread is 33 ¾ inches and the over-all length of the cart, including the poles, is 7 feet 3 9/16 inches.
Figure 22.- Hand-drawn 4.2-inch chemical mortar cart, M1A1.
1. Mortar rack.
2. Tool box.
3. Pole braces.
2. Tool box.
3. Pole braces.
4. Rear handle.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
(2) At the front end of the frame are welded U-shaped brackets to which are welded the pole braces(3) which carry the
detachable pole handle at their junction. These items are of 1 ¼ -inch tubing. The pole braces are at an angle so that
besides strengthening the structure they act as wheel guards, deflecting any brush with which they may come in
contact in the field. They also serve as handles in lifting the cart on or off trucks.
(3) In the center of the pole handle is a ring to which are attached by round eye snaps two lead chains with handles (6).
(4) A tool box (2) is located between the pole braces and the front angle of the chassis. Clips for the spade and the pick mattock handle are welded to this angle. On the rear angle of the chassis frame are locating clips for the spade, standard, baseplate, and pick mattock handle. Under it is a seamless steel tube
(4), 1 ¼ inches in diameter, extends the entire width of the chassis frame and projects at each end to form guards for the wheels and to serve as handles when the cart is lifted on or off trucks.
(5) Near each corner of the chassis frame tightening chains are attached for retaining the load. These chains are pulled taut by a chain coupling (5) operated by screw.
b. Mortar cart rack.- The mortar cart rack (1) is 40 3/8 inches long, 10 1/8 inches wide, and 9 1/8 inches high. The longitudinal members are constructed from 1 ½ - 1 ½- by 1/8-inch structural steel angle. Of the three cross members, those at the front and rear are channel shaped, of 1/8-inch steel plate, and the middle one is of 1 ½-inch steel tubing. Above the channels is a steel strap 1 inch wide and 3/16 inch thick bent into such a shape as to form a support for the mortar barrel At each end of the channel are notches that retain the aiming stakes. The rear channel is provided with locking pins that enter holes drilled in the aiming stakes, thus securely locking the stakes to the mortar cart rack. The rack is supported on four brackets made of 1 ½- by 1 ½- by 1/8-inch structural steel. At the lower end of each and projecting down from it, a ½-inch pin is welded. These pins enter drilled holes in the baseplate, when the mortar cart is loaded, locating the rack and preventing any movement of it.
(3) In the center of the pole handle is a ring to which are attached by round eye snaps two lead chains with handles (6).
(4) A tool box (2) is located between the pole braces and the front angle of the chassis. Clips for the spade and the pick mattock handle are welded to this angle. On the rear angle of the chassis frame are locating clips for the spade, standard, baseplate, and pick mattock handle. Under it is a seamless steel tube
(4), 1 ¼ inches in diameter, extends the entire width of the chassis frame and projects at each end to form guards for the wheels and to serve as handles when the cart is lifted on or off trucks.
(5) Near each corner of the chassis frame tightening chains are attached for retaining the load. These chains are pulled taut by a chain coupling (5) operated by screw.
b. Mortar cart rack.- The mortar cart rack (1) is 40 3/8 inches long, 10 1/8 inches wide, and 9 1/8 inches high. The longitudinal members are constructed from 1 ½ - 1 ½- by 1/8-inch structural steel angle. Of the three cross members, those at the front and rear are channel shaped, of 1/8-inch steel plate, and the middle one is of 1 ½-inch steel tubing. Above the channels is a steel strap 1 inch wide and 3/16 inch thick bent into such a shape as to form a support for the mortar barrel At each end of the channel are notches that retain the aiming stakes. The rear channel is provided with locking pins that enter holes drilled in the aiming stakes, thus securely locking the stakes to the mortar cart rack. The rack is supported on four brackets made of 1 ½- by 1 ½- by 1/8-inch structural steel. At the lower end of each and projecting down from it, a ½-inch pin is welded. These pins enter drilled holes in the baseplate, when the mortar cart is loaded, locating the rack and preventing any movement of it.
c. Mortar cart accessories set, M1A1.
The mortar cart accessories set, M1A1, consists of the following equipment:
The mortar cart accessories set, M1A1, consists of the following equipment:
Quantity
1
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
Name of part
Bag, Tool, Containing-
Kit, repair, rubber tube, consisting of-
Cement, rubber, 1-ounce tube.
Patch, rubber, 27-square-inch sheet.
Roughener.
Valve core (in box).
Wrench, automotive, adjustable, 9-inch.
ron, tire, flat type, 15-inch maximum length
Pump, motorcycle tire, hand.
Bag, Tool, Containing-
Kit, repair, rubber tube, consisting of-
Cement, rubber, 1-ounce tube.
Patch, rubber, 27-square-inch sheet.
Roughener.
Valve core (in box).
Wrench, automotive, adjustable, 9-inch.
ron, tire, flat type, 15-inch maximum length
Pump, motorcycle tire, hand.
One of these accessories sets is issued per mortar squad (two carts).
d. Load- The cart is designed to carry the mortar accessories and spare parts set (par. 21), except the ammunition tool
roll and contents, the barrel, the standard, the baseplate, and the mortar cart accessories set, M1A1 (c above). The load
is placed on the cart in the following order (see figs. 23 and 24):
(1) The pick mattock head, gunner’s tool roll, mortar cart accessories set, ½-pint oiler, and baseplate slings are put in the tool box.
(1) The pick mattock head, gunner’s tool roll, mortar cart accessories set, ½-pint oiler, and baseplate slings are put in the tool box.
Figure 23.-Loaded hand-drawn 4.2-inch chemical mortar cart, M1A1
(front view)
(front view)
1. Mortar rack.
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
Figure 24.-Loaded hand-drawn 4.2-inch chemical mortar cart, M1A1
(rear view)
(rear view)
1. Mortar rack.
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
(2) The spade is placed in the spade support under the front frame angle on the left-hand side of the cart, the handle
extending to the rear where it is held by the spade clip. The large end of the pick mattock handle is inserted in the pick
mattock clip located under the front frame angle on the right-hand side of the cart, and the hole drilled in the small end
of the pick mattock handle is fitted over the pin on the rear angle of the cart chassis.
(3) The standards is next laid in the chassis frame front side up with the connector rods between the standard clips on the rear frame angle.
(4) The baseplate is then loaded with the front of the plate facing the front of the cart and the rear notch in the baseplate spade entering the baseplate guide on the rear angle of the cart frame. The notches in each side of the baseplate are supported by the side angles of the cart frame. These notches prevent any lateral movement of the spade, pick mattock handle, and standard.
(5) The mortar rack is now placed on the baseplate, the four pins in the feet or supporting brackets entering the drilled holes in the baseplate.
(6) The aiming stakes, two on the right and one on the left side, are put in the mortar rack with the points forward, and are retained in place by the lock pins passing through the holes drilled in the stakes.
(7) Eight sandbags are folded and stowed between the side angles of the rack at the rear of the baseplate cup.
(3) The standards is next laid in the chassis frame front side up with the connector rods between the standard clips on the rear frame angle.
(4) The baseplate is then loaded with the front of the plate facing the front of the cart and the rear notch in the baseplate spade entering the baseplate guide on the rear angle of the cart frame. The notches in each side of the baseplate are supported by the side angles of the cart frame. These notches prevent any lateral movement of the spade, pick mattock handle, and standard.
(5) The mortar rack is now placed on the baseplate, the four pins in the feet or supporting brackets entering the drilled holes in the baseplate.
(6) The aiming stakes, two on the right and one on the left side, are put in the mortar rack with the points forward, and are retained in place by the lock pins passing through the holes drilled in the stakes.
(7) Eight sandbags are folded and stowed between the side angles of the rack at the rear of the baseplate cup.
Figure 25.-Hand-drawn 4.2-inch chemical mortar ammunition cart, M1A1
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
6. Lead chains and handles.
(8) The mortar barrel, with the cleaning rod inside the barrel and the muzzle cover in position, is placed in the barrel
support with the muzzle toward the front end of the cart, and is moved forward until the shock-absorber slide is
against the front barrel support.
(9) The chain is now put over the mortar barrel and the chain coupling is tightened, thus holding the entire load securely.
27. Chemical mortar ammunition cart, M1A1.- The ammunition cart, M1A1 (fig.25), is identical with chassis of the mortar cart, M1A1 (par. 26a), except that no clips are welded to the front and rear angles of the chassis frame to retain the mortar load. It is designed to carry 5 shell boxes (10 complete rounds) and the ammunition tool roll which is a part of the accessories and spare parts set (par. 21). The shell boxes are placed on the cart with the side up, the rear box against the rear frame angle. The chains are put over the boxes and the chain tightened, thus holding the load securely (see fig. 26). The ammunition tool roll is carried in the tool box. One mortar cart accessories set, M1A1, is issued per ammunition squad (2 carts) and is also carried in the tool box of one of the carts. In an emergency the ammunition cart may be used to carry the mortar cart load (par. 26d), except the spade and mattock handle. There are no locating clips for the standard and the notch in the base plate spade, but there absence does not interfere with the load being held securely by the chains.
(9) The chain is now put over the mortar barrel and the chain coupling is tightened, thus holding the entire load securely.
27. Chemical mortar ammunition cart, M1A1.- The ammunition cart, M1A1 (fig.25), is identical with chassis of the mortar cart, M1A1 (par. 26a), except that no clips are welded to the front and rear angles of the chassis frame to retain the mortar load. It is designed to carry 5 shell boxes (10 complete rounds) and the ammunition tool roll which is a part of the accessories and spare parts set (par. 21). The shell boxes are placed on the cart with the side up, the rear box against the rear frame angle. The chains are put over the boxes and the chain tightened, thus holding the load securely (see fig. 26). The ammunition tool roll is carried in the tool box. One mortar cart accessories set, M1A1, is issued per ammunition squad (2 carts) and is also carried in the tool box of one of the carts. In an emergency the ammunition cart may be used to carry the mortar cart load (par. 26d), except the spade and mattock handle. There are no locating clips for the standard and the notch in the base plate spade, but there absence does not interfere with the load being held securely by the chains.
Figure 26.- Loaded hand-drawn 4.2-inch chemical mortar ammunition cart M1A1
2. Toolbox.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
3. Polebraces.
4. Rear handle.
5. Adjusting chain coupling.
6. Lead chains and handles.
6. Lead chains and handles.
28. Weights of carts and loads.- The weight of the carts and their loads are approximately as follows:
Chassis
Rack
Load
Cart, Loaded
Rack
Load
Cart, Loaded
Mortar Cart,M1A1
Pounds
149
16
326
491
Pounds
149
16
326
491
Ammunition Cart, M1A1
Pounds
146
---
330
476
Pounds
146
---
330
476
Section VIII
REPAIRS IN THE FIELD
REPAIRS IN THE FIELD
By mortar company
By chemical maintenance company
By chemical maintenance company
Paragraph
29
30
29
30
29. By mortar company.- The chemical mortar, M1A1, accessories and spare parts set (see par.21, which is carried on
the mortar cart, contains two spare slide bolts, a traversing screw handle, a striker pin and two front and two rear
springs for the shock-absorber slide. If any of these parts should be broken or damaged they may be replaced readily
by the mortar company with the tools furnished in the accessories and spare parts set. The procedure used in
replacing the striker pin is the same as that given in paragraph 18d.
30. By chemical maintenance company.- Since the chemical mortar does not have a breech lock, recoil device, or any fine mechanisms that are apt to get out of adjustment, there are a few things that break or get out of repair, and in general it is more expeditious to replace the broken part with a new one than an attempt to make repairs in the forward areas. The parts most frequently needing and repair are the slide springs, and the tie rods or connectors between the baseplate and the standard. When a detached chemical unit is some distance from the depot or there is a shortage of parts in stock at the depot, it may be desirable to send forward an element of the weapon section of the chemical maintenance company to make repairs on a damaged mortar while the weapon continues in the possession of the chemical unit. These detachments are furnished with a chest of such tools as chisels, clamps, drills, files, grinders, hacksaws, hammer, hatchet, pliers, screw drivers, sledge, vise, wrenches, ect., and all such basic spare parts of the barrel, baseplate, standard, and mortar and ammunition carts as may be replaced without welding or blacksmithing operations.
30. By chemical maintenance company.- Since the chemical mortar does not have a breech lock, recoil device, or any fine mechanisms that are apt to get out of adjustment, there are a few things that break or get out of repair, and in general it is more expeditious to replace the broken part with a new one than an attempt to make repairs in the forward areas. The parts most frequently needing and repair are the slide springs, and the tie rods or connectors between the baseplate and the standard. When a detached chemical unit is some distance from the depot or there is a shortage of parts in stock at the depot, it may be desirable to send forward an element of the weapon section of the chemical maintenance company to make repairs on a damaged mortar while the weapon continues in the possession of the chemical unit. These detachments are furnished with a chest of such tools as chisels, clamps, drills, files, grinders, hacksaws, hammer, hatchet, pliers, screw drivers, sledge, vise, wrenches, ect., and all such basic spare parts of the barrel, baseplate, standard, and mortar and ammunition carts as may be replaced without welding or blacksmithing operations.