Complete your mortar crew display with a genuine piece of U.S. field gear using this set of 81mm mortar shoulder pads, cataloged under FSN 1010-656-9375. These protective pads were designed to make the burden of carrying heavy mortar components and ammunition more manageable in the field, and they are exactly the kind of small but important accessory that adds realism and authenticity to a serious mortar setup.

U.S. mortar crews had to move heavy, awkward loads by hand—tube, bipod, baseplate, ammunition, and support gear—and protective shoulder padding was a practical part of that job. Surviving military-surplus references identify this stock number as Pad, Shoulder, Protective, and period collector and surplus sources consistently associate this style of shoulder pad set with 81mm mortar crew carry gear, with right- and left-hand pads making up a complete set. The whole purpose was simple: protect the shoulders and spread the load when hauling mortar equipment across training areas, field positions, and combat terrain.

For collectors, these pads are more than just spare web gear. They are part of the real day-to-day working kit that surrounded the mortar itself. A restored tube or bipod looks better when the supporting crew gear is present, and pieces like this help tell the full story of how an 81mm section actually operated. They fit especially well in WWII-, Korea-, and Vietnam-era mortar displays, where the emphasis is not just on the weapon, but on the men who had to carry and serve it.

About This Set

This listing is for a set of 81mm mortar shoulder pads, the protective pair used to ease the strain of carrying mortar equipment. As identified by FSN 1010-656-9375, this is a proper U.S. military-pattern support item for mortar crew gear, not a modern reproduction or generic shoulder cushion. Surplus references for this stock number describe the set as a right and left pad, which is exactly what collectors want for a complete and visually correct display.

These shoulder pads are ideal for:

81mm mortar displays and crew impressions
Completing a U.S. mortar team equipment layout
Museum and educational exhibits on mortar transport and crew-served weapons
Collectors of original U.S. field gear, especially heavy-weapons support equipment

Why They Matter

Big items like tubes, bipods, and baseplates get the attention, but the smaller support items are often the hardest to find later. Shoulder pads like these were field gear—used, carried, lost, replaced, and discarded—so original surviving sets are a strong addition to any serious mortar collection. They help bring an 81mm setup out of the “just hardware” category and into a more complete, historically grounded crew display.

Approx length 9", Approx width 7", Approx height 1", Approx weight .5lbs. X2

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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