Description
81mm C70A1 HE Mortar Round with DM111A4 Fuze and C87 Primer
Item Overview
This Canadian 81mm C70A1 high-explosive mortar round is offered as a completely inert military display piece. It includes an inert DM111A4 nose fuze and an inert C87 primer cartridge. The round contains no explosive filling, propellant, live primer composition, functioning fuze train, or other energetic material. It is suitable for collecting, museum exhibits, historical study, training displays, and restoration projects.
Identification and Features
The C70A1 was the standard Canadian high-explosive round for the L16A1 and L16A2 81mm mortar system. Canada developed it as a version of the British L15-series mortar bomb. Its 81mm size placed it within the common NATO and Commonwealth mortar class, although approved service compatibility depended on the weapon, fuze, and charge combination.
- Model: C70A1
- Caliber: 81mm
- Country of origin: Canada
- Original service type: High explosive
- Offered configuration: Completely inert display round
- Nose fuze: Inert DM111A4 impact fuze
- Primer: Inert C87 primer cartridge
- Ammunition family: Canadian version of the British L15 series
- Primary weapon application: Canadian L16A1 and L16A2 81mm mortars
- Original loaded service weight: Approximately 4.5 kg, or 9.9 lbs.
- Original maximum published range: Approximately 4,780 meters with Charge 6
- Status: No explosive, propellant, active primer, or functioning fuze components
Original Service Configuration
In live military service, the C70A1 used an iron projectile body with threaded openings for the nose fuze and tail assembly. Its tail unit had six stabilizing fins and 42 perforations that transmitted the primer flash to the removable propellant increments. A split polycarbonate obturating ring helped center and seal the round as it moved through the mortar barrel. Live examples originally contained Composition B explosive and used a primary cartridge with as many as six removable British-pattern Mk 2 charge increments. Those materials are not present in this inert example.
DM111A4 Fuze and C87 Primer
The original DM111A4 was a point-detonating impact fuze with selectable superquick and delay actions. Superquick action caused the live round to function on impact, while delay action allowed limited penetration before functioning. The C87 primer cartridge was installed in the tail and initiated the original propelling-charge system when the round was dropped into the mortar. The fuze and primer supplied with this display round are inert and nonfunctioning.
Weapon System History
The British L16 81mm mortar entered service during the 1960s and replaced older 3-inch mortar designs. Canada adopted the weapon in L16A1 and L16A2 configurations and developed Canadian ammunition, including the C70A1. The smoothbore, muzzle-loaded mortar gave infantry units portable high-angle fire against targets hidden by terrain, walls, or field positions. Canadian mortar detachments used the system from a ground-mounted baseplate and in vehicle-supported roles, including the Bison mortar-carrier configuration.
History of Use
The C70A1 was designed to produce blast and fragmentation against personnel, equipment, and light fortifications. The L16 mortar family served with Canadian, British, Commonwealth, and other NATO forces throughout the Cold War and later overseas operations. Canadian 81mm mortar detachments continued to use the weapon for training and operational service, including deployments in Afghanistan. This history applies to the ammunition and weapon family and does not establish the service history of this individual round.
Condition
This is a surplus inert display piece and may show scratches, dents, finish wear, oxidation, discoloration, tool marks, residue, and other evidence of military storage or handling. Paint, markings, and small component details may vary between examples. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This C70A1 round is a strong display choice for collections covering Canadian Forces equipment, NATO mortar ammunition, indirect-fire weapons, and postwar military history.
- Canadian Forces collections
- 81mm mortar displays
- L16A1 and L16A2 mortar exhibits
- NATO and Commonwealth ammunition collections
- Cold War and Afghanistan-era displays
- Military museums and educational exhibits
- Inert ordnance collections
Approx length 19", Approx width 3", Approx height 3", Approx weight 9.2lbs.
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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