Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare and incredible totally authentic inert 25 cm Schwerer Minenwerfer (heavy mine launcher). This example is dated 1917 on the breech ring meaning due it being post-1898 it is not legally considered an antique. Therefore, it has been legally deactivated. The barrel has been touch cut and a bar permanently inserted into the barrel to obstruct loading rendering it inert and totally legal to own within the United States.
The 25 cm schwerer Minenwerfer (heavy mine launcher), often abbreviated as 25 cm sMW, was a heavy mine shell launching trench mortar developed for the Imperial German Army in the first decade of the 20th century. It was developed for use by engineer troops after the Siege of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05 illustrated the usefulness of this class of weapon in destroying bunkers and fortifications immune to normal artillery. The 25 cm schwerer Minenwerfer was a muzzle-loading, rifled mortar that had a hydro-spring type recoil system. It fired either a 97 kg (214 lb) shell or a 50 kg (110 lb) mine shell; both containing far more explosive filler than ordinary artillery ammunition of the same caliber. The low muzzle velocity allowed for thinner shell walls, hence more space for filler for the same weight shell. The low velocity also allowed the use of explosives like ammonium nitrate–carbon that were less shock-resistant than TNT, which was in short supply. Shells filled with these substitutes nonetheless were the cause of many premature detonations, making the Minenwerfer riskier for the gun crew than normal artillery pieces.
This example was displayed outdoors for many years and is fully seized. It shows areas of previous rust and pitting but has been fully cleaned and repainted for display purposes. It is missing the wheels but otherwise it appears complete. It is dated 1917 with serial number 3995 (fewer than 1250 were ever produced). These trench mortars are exceptionally rare and impressive.
Other examples exist in museums around the work including ad the Imperial War Museum in London which can be see at this link.
Service history:
In service: 1910–1918
Used by: Imperial German Empire
War: World War I
Production history:
Designer: Rheinmetall
Designed: 1907–09
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall
Produced: 1910–18
No. built: pprox. 1,234
Variants: 25 cm sMW n/A
Specifications:
Mass: 768 kg (1,693 lb)
Barrel length: a/A: 75 cm (2 ft 6 in) L/3
n/A: 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) L/5
Shell: separate-loading, 4 disk charges
Calibre: 250 millimeters (9.8 in)
Recoil: hydro-spring
Elevation: +45° to 75°
Traverseve: 12°
Rate of fire: 20 rounds per hour
Muzzle velocity: 200 m/s (660 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 540 m (590 yd)
Maximum firing range: 970 m (1,060 yd)
Sights: panoramic
Curbside truck freight is included with purchase for locations within the US 48 states. For all other locations please contact us for an accurate freight quote and to check legality prior to purchase.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machine gun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Please note that the requirements for each display gun are decided on a per case basis by the BATF, and may require deactivation or omission of some internal components. For more information on this display gun, please contact us. Not available for Export.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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