Own a piece of Cold War-era battlefield illumination history with this 81mm M301A3 Illumination Mortar Round. The M301A3 was not a standard high-explosive mortar round. It was a specialized illumination cartridge designed to light a target area, support night operations, and give troops visibility when darkness, terrain, or battlefield conditions made observation difficult.

Official Army ammunition data identifies the M301A3 as a standard 81mm illuminating cartridge, classified under AMCTC 6390, dated 1968, and used for illuminating a desired point or area. That makes it a strong display item for collectors who want more than the usual HE or smoke mortar examples.

Historical Significance

The 81mm M301A3 represents the support side of mortar warfare. While high-explosive rounds were used for direct battlefield effects, illumination rounds served a different mission: turning night into workable terrain for observation, movement, and fire support.

Original service data describes the M301A3 as using an illuminant candle and parachute assembly inside a steel body tube and tail cone assembly. In service configuration, the round was designed to deploy the candle under parachute, giving at least 60 seconds of illumination with a minimum of 500,000 candlepower.

That history gives the M301A3 excellent collector appeal. It connects directly to night operations, forward observation, mortar crews, and the broader tactical problem of fighting after dark. It is a great example of how mortar ammunition was built for more than blast and fragmentation.

81mm M301A3 Illumination Mortar Round
Cold War-era U.S. mortar ammunition design
Standard classification: AMCTC 6390, dated 1968
Designed to illuminate a desired point or area
(illuminant candle and parachute assembly not included)
Original service reference lists DODAC 1315-C226 and drawing number 9220705
Strong display piece for mortar, artillery, Vietnam-era, and Cold War collections

Why This Collectible Stands Out

The M301A3 has a different kind of “cool factor” than a standard combat projectile. It tells the story of night battlefield support. This was the type of round that helped illuminate movement, targets, terrain, and danger areas when visibility mattered.

For collectors, illumination mortar rounds are especially interesting because they show the variety of ammunition used by mortar crews. A collection with only HE rounds tells part of the story. Adding an M301A3 brings in the tactical support side: observation, signaling, night fire support, and battlefield control.

Its classic white illumination-round finish also makes it stand out visually in a display. It pairs well with 81mm HE, smoke, practice, and training rounds.

About This Round

This listing is for an 81mm M301A3 Illumination Mortar Round.

This item is inert and intended for collection, display, reference, or training-aid use only. It is not intended for firing, loading, launching, or operational use.

No live fuze, active illuminant candle, propellant increments, primer, explosive charge, shipping container, tools, or additional accessories are included. Original service-component information is provided for historical reference only.

Ideal For

This round is a strong fit for:

81mm mortar round collectors
Cold War ordnance displays
Vietnam-era military collections
inert ordnance and demilitarized ammunition displays
mortar crew and infantry support exhibits
museum and classroom training displays
artillery and fire-support collections
collectors looking for something beyond standard HE or smoke rounds

Approx length 25", Approx width 3", Approx height 3", Approx weight 7lbs.

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.

Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times