Figure 14-23.--Misfire procedure: Removing the round.
Figure 14-22.--Misfire procedure: Cooling the barrel.
removes accumulations of dust, dirt, and thickened oil.
Repeat this procedure until the cotton waste/rags comes
the round. The gunner ensures the weapon is aimed
out clean. When necessary, wash the outside of the barrel
down range, changes the fire selector to T (trigger)
with a soap solution, rinse it with clean water, dry it, and
position, then squeezes the trigger. The round should
apply a light coat of preservative lubricating oil. You
fire. If it does not, he returns the selector to the S (safe)
must be careful to rinse and dry all parts of the mortar
position and keeps the muzzle elevated and pointed
thoroughly after using soap and water.
down range. He then allows the outer surface to cool.
This can be done by using water (fig. 14-22) or just
allowing the air to cool it until the cannon can be handled
CAUTION
with bare hands. The gunner lifts the base cap end (fig.
14-23) of the cannon, and the assistant gunner places his
When cleaning the bore, be careful not to
hands around the outer edge of the muzzle. As the base
leave any waste on the firing pin.
cap end is lifted, the round should slide out. The assistant
gunner stops it with his thumbs, then removes the round
To clean the firing pin, remove it by using an Allen
from the bore and places it in the designated area.
wrench. Insert the firing-pin vent cleaning brush into the
vent. While exerting light pressure, turn the brush
clockwise to remove excess foreign material from the
CAUTION
shoulders of the vent. Clean the shoulders carefully,
because the firing pin does not seat correctly when there
Never put your hands in front of the muzzle.
is foreign material left on the shoulder. This results in
gas leakage while firing. Next, wrap a rag around the
CARE AND CLEANING
vent cleaning brush and insert it into the firing pin vent.
Clean the vent by moving the rag back and forth through
The mortar squad members are responsible for the
it. Replace the dirty rag and repeat this procedure until
care and cleaning of the gun. Basically, each member is
the rag comes out clean; then saturate the clean rag with
responsible for the part of the gun that he carries.
preservative lubricating oil, and push it in and out of the
A schedule should allow time for supervised
vent. Next, clean the firing pin, oil it lightly, and properly
cleaning on each day the mortar is fired and once weekly
reseat it into the baseplug.
when it is not in use.
To clean the mount, keep all parts of the biped and
General Cleaning
baseplate clean and free of foreign matter. Keep all
moving parts and polished surfaces lightly coated with
To clean the bore, attach cotton waste or rags to the
oil. Use a small paintbrush or toothbrush to clean the
cleaning staff and insert them into the bore. Move the
screw threads and crevices. To remove moisture and dirt
staff in and out several times with a turning motion.
from the metal surfaces, rub them with a dry cloth; then
Replace the dirty rags with clean rags. This cleaning
wipe them with a cloth containing a small quantity of
14-15
