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SURVIVING GUN FILE (# 732)
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Great Britain

4-in. Stokes trench mortar

Trench artillery

Contributor :
Bernard Plumier      http://www.passioncompassion1418.com
     
     
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Location :
Italy
Rovereto
Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra
Coordinates : Lat : 45.88740 / Long : 11.04690
General comments on this surviving gun :


Identical items in the same location : 1
Items covered by this file : 1

A very rare survivor presented in this brilliant museum.

The 4 in mortar is presented togeether with a rare 3 in Mortar of the same family

Interesting view on the tube inner percussion pin.


Historic and technical information
Denomination :     4-in. Stokes mortar Origin :       ( Stokes)          

Historic context :

The first 3 in Stokes mortars appeared in the summer of 1915, firing high-explosive cylindrical projectiles. About simultaneously something like 20 similar mortars of a higher caliber are ordered and delivered for use with 'special' ammunitions, that is to say with chemical rounds. This is how the '4 in Stokes Mortar' is introduced, also called 'Chemical Mortar'.

At the end of 1915, this weapon was the standard British device to launch smoke or incendiary projectiles, then tear gas in 1916, and finally toxic gas in 1917. Its first official use has been recorded at Loos on sept 25, 1915.

Thos mortar was produced in less quantities than the very popular 3-in mortar, and was gradually replaced by the arrival of the Livens Projectors and the chemical shells of the conventionnal artillery.

Technical data :

  • Complete description : Stokes 4 inches trench mortar
  • Design year : 1915
  • Calibre : 107.00 mm (4.2 in)
  • Weight in firing position : 80 kg
  • Weight for transportation :
  • Tube length in calibres : 12.43 (1330 mm)
  • Grooves : 0 (smooth bore)
  • Projectile weight : 8.16 kg (cylindrique) dont 3.18 kg d'agent chimique
  • Initial speed :
  • Fire rate :
  • Range : 987 m
  • Elevation range : 45 to 70 degrees
  • Direction range : 18 degrees total range


Sources
  • Allied Artillery of World War One           Ian V. Hogg                   Crowood   1998  
  • Weapons of the Trench War 1914-1918       Anthony Saunders                   Sutton   1999