Aasen mortar

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Aasen mortar
8.6 cm itl.Minenwerfer. (BildID 15511692).jpg
Type Gun-mortar
Place of origin France
Service history
Used by Russian Empire
Wars First World War
Production history
Designer Nils Aasen
Designed1915
Specifications
Mass54.2 lb (24.6 kg)
References

The Aasen mortar (Mortier Aasen) was a 3.5-inch (88.9-mm) gun-mortar (or bomb thrower under the classification of the time). The Aasen was invented in France in 1915 by Nils Aasen, a Norwegian arms designer. It was adopted by the Russian Empire in 1915-1916, and was used during the First World War. [1] [2]

The barrel of the mortar was steel. Aasen mortar was a breech loading weapon so a shell was loaded separately and the bolt action discharging a blank rifle round connected to a barrel. This device was a modified form of the obsolete Gras rifle, which was transferred to Russia by France in substantial numbers. The hoisting mechanism was made of two slats, attached to the rear of the barrel, and rod folding rack. The weight of the mortar in firing mode was approximately 1.5 pood (54.2 lbs). [3]

Comparison of Russian Front mortars (1915—1917)[ citation needed ]
Mortar weightCalibre in mmTotal weight of shellExplosive shellMuzzle velocity in meters/secondRate of fire, rounds/minuteMaximum range (meters)
G.R. 9 cm mortar 91bomb 3,30,71004-5500
Aasen88.9grenade 1,20,4400
20mm20grenade 2,450,1761
Lihonin mortar48bomb 3,00,3416,8500

References

  1. "Nils Waltersen Aasen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  2. "Nils Waltersen Aasen's Life". weebly.com. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  3. "Mortier Assen 1916". TIR and Collection Regulatory Weapons. Retrieved August 1, 2017.