Description
U.S. M3 Shoulder Pad for 60mm M2 Mortar – Piece Mark D69375
Item Overview
ONLY 1 SET AVAILABLE, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE ONE IN THE PHOTOS. This U.S. M3 Shoulder Pad is an original Ordnance Department carrying accessory associated with the 60mm M2 mortar system. The padded assembly helped protect mortar-squad members while they carried the weapon and related equipment. It is marked with Piece Mark D69375, Item/Federal Stock No. A043-03-00048, Waterhouse Co. of Boston, and Ordnance Department information. This is a non-weapon textile accessory.
Identification and Features
The surviving markings identify this item as military equipment produced for the U.S. Ordnance Department and assigned to the M3 shoulder-pad pattern.
- Official designation: Shoulder Pad M3
- Documented application: 60mm M2 mortar equipment
- Piece mark: D69375
- Item/Federal Stock No.: A043-03-00048
- Manufacturer marking: Waterhouse Co.
- Location marking: Boston
- Department marking: Ordnance Dept.
- Construction type: Padded fabric carrying accessory with straps
Function and Use
Army field manuals describe the M3 as a two-pad arrangement with one pad for the left shoulder and one for the right. The pads were strapped together to protect the shoulders of mortar-squad members. This design spread the load and reduced pressure while personnel moved the portable mortar and its assigned equipment between positions.
Documented End-Item Application
The M3 shoulder pad was issued as an accessory for U.S. 60mm mortar equipment, including the M2 system identified with this example. A later edition of FM 23-85 continued to list the M3 shoulder pad with the 60mm M19 mortar, showing that the established carrying accessory remained in the military supply system as newer 60mm mortar equipment entered service.
Product History
The markings connect this shoulder pad to Waterhouse Co. of Boston and the U.S. Ordnance Department. Piece Mark D69375 identified the military pattern or component, while Item/Federal Stock No. A043-03-00048 supported supply, inventory, and replacement. Such markings allowed units to identify the correct accessory without relying only on its appearance.
60mm M2 Mortar History
The M2 grew from a French Brandt 60mm mortar acquired for U.S. evaluation during the late 1930s. Watervliet Arsenal prepared American production drawings with standard U.S. threads and other manufacturing changes. The American version became the M2, and the first production contract for 1,500 mortars was awarded in January 1940 as the United States expanded its military production.
Weapon-System Background
The M2 was a portable, smoothbore, muzzle-loaded mortar that gave infantry units high-angle fire support. Its barrel, bipod, baseplate, sight, ammunition, and accessories could be divided among the crew for movement. The mortar could place high-explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds behind cover or into positions that were difficult to reach with direct-fire weapons.
History of Use
The 60mm M2 mortar served U.S. Army and Marine Corps units during World War II and the Korean War and remained in use during the Vietnam era. Mortar squads carried the system across rough ground, established firing positions close to the supported infantry, and moved again as battlefield conditions changed. Carrying equipment such as the M3 shoulder pad supported this mobile role by protecting crew members while they transported their assigned loads.
Condition
This military-surplus M3 shoulder pad retains its identifying piece mark, stock number, manufacturer, location, and Ordnance Department information. It is offered as a historic military accessory for collection, restoration, or display. Refer to the photographs for the representative condition of the fabric, straps, stitching, markings, and hardware.
Ideal For
This marked M3 shoulder pad is well suited to the following collections and projects:
- 60mm M2 mortar displays and restorations
- World War II and Korean War equipment collections
- U.S. Army and Marine Corps mortar exhibits
- Ordnance Department textile and field-gear collections
- Museums, educational displays, and military-history research
Approx length 10", Approx width 10", Approx height 3", Approx weight 4lbs.
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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