Description
Inert 60mm M5 Target Practice–Short Range Mortar Round with M751 Practice Fuze
Item Overview
This inert 60mm M5 Target Practice–Short Range mortar round is a rare model within the TP-SR ammunition series. It was manufactured by Pocal Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania company known for specialized mortar-training ammunition. This complete display example includes its M751 Point Detonating Practice Fuze and several small parts that are often missing from surviving rounds.
Identification and Features
The M5 was designed as a short-range training cartridge that gave mortar crews a realistic round to handle and load while using a smaller training area. Its full-size body, practice fuze, sealing ring, vent system, and fin assembly represent the main features of a complete TP-SR mortar cartridge.
- Caliber: 60mm
- Model: M5
- Type: Target Practice–Short Range, or TP-SR
- Manufacturer: Pocal Industries, Inc.
- Fuze: M751 Point Detonating Practice Fuze
- Fuze safety: Removable safety clip included
- Body feature: Obturating ring
- Fin assembly: Extruded aluminum tail fins
- Vent components: Three dud plugs installed in the vent holes
- Status: Inert display item
Complete Display Configuration
The round comes complete with its M751 practice fuze and safety clip, obturating ring, extruded aluminum tail-fin assembly, and all three dud plugs. The obturating ring helped control the gas seal during normal operation, while the tail fins stabilized the projectile in flight. The three plugs fit the openings associated with the round’s vent system. No live firing capability is represented.
M751 Practice Fuze
The M751 was a point-detonating practice fuze developed to create a visible and audible impact signature during live training. Its internal training charge normally produced smoke, flash, and sound when the round struck the ground. The safety clip protected the fuze during storage and handling. The fuze supplied with this collectible round is inert and contains no functional energetic charge.
Short-Range Mortar Training
TP-SR ammunition allowed mortar crews, forward observers, and fire-direction personnel to practice coordinated fire missions on ranges that could not support full-range ammunition. Crews could train in handling, sighting, loading, communication, and fire adjustment while working with a cartridge shaped like military mortar ammunition. This made short-range practice rounds useful for schools, qualification exercises, and unit training.
60mm Mortar History
U.S. 60mm mortars have provided infantry units with portable indirect fire support since World War II. The M2 and M19 served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, while the later M224 became the primary modern American 60mm mortar. These smoothbore, muzzle-loading weapons could be carried and operated by a small crew. The Pocal M5 represents the later effort to give mortar crews realistic practice while reducing the range and space required for training.
Pocal Industries History
The verified manufacturer name is Pocal Industries, Inc. The company began producing mortar-training ammunition in Pennsylvania during the early 1980s and became known for short-range and full-range practice cartridges, ignition components, and practice fuzes. Nammo acquired Pocal Industries in June 2013, and the operation later became Nammo Pocal Inc. The uncommon M5 is an early example of Pocal’s specialized training-ammunition work.
Ideal For
This rare and complete M5 TP-SR round is well suited for collections and exhibits covering mortar ammunition, military training equipment, practice fuzes, and American ordnance development.
- 60mm mortar-ammunition collections
- Target-practice ammunition displays
- Pocal Industries ordnance collections
- M751 practice-fuze exhibits
- Military museums and educational displays
- Modern U.S. mortar-history collections
Approx length 11", Approx width 2.5", Approx height 2.5", Approx weight 2.4 lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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