Need help IDing some towbars

rob love · #1 06-11-11, 15:39

I am going to try this in the gun forum because of the marking found on one of these, but if it turns out to be unrelated to the artillery, maybe we can move it to a different forum.

I was at my favorite scrapyard a couple weeks ago and found these tow bars. They are a bit unusual. They are painted Khaki, but underneath the green are some more civilian colors like red or a civilian green. One end has a standard lunnette while the other end is a simple drop pin affair. On one I found Z and MT, so they could be related to the RCHA Z bty which was located in Shilo.

My guess is that they could be the bars for towing the Cessna L19s, back when the RCHA operated these aircraft, but that is purely a guess. Any ideas?

Richard Farrant · #2 06-11-11, 18:00

Hi Rob,

Those green bars look like part of the kit carried on the Diamond T 969 Wrecker. I am not that familiar with the vehicle, but worth checking. They look to have red oxide underneath the green paint, from the photos. MT stencil does also suggest it is something to do with vehicles or workshops.

rob love · #3 06-11-11, 18:26

Richard

Good eye, looks like you were right. Did you want to try a couple harder ones?

Richard Farrant · #4 06-11-11, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob love

Richard

Good eye, looks like you were right. Did you want to try a couple harder ones?

OK, give it a go, but I may not be so lucky next time

rob love · #5 06-11-11, 18:40

I posted these on the HMVF forum a few hours ago, so it's still early.

The first batch of photos is of some kind of pack howitzer. The trails come off with a quick pull pin, and the trails would appear to come apart om the middle. I found a detachable spade sitting nearby which would seem to fit the trail. The hubs are missing but also appear to be a quick detach type. The 25 pdr carriage sled nearby is unrelated to this gun.

Godwin Hampton · #6 07-01-12, 20:49

Rob,

Could it be a 17 pdr. Anti-Tank gun trail? That would also explain the 25 pdr. recuperator, which was also used by the 17 pdr.

rob love · #7 08-01-12, 05:10

Nope, there was a 17 pounder just a few feet away and it was way bigger.

I think I spotted a similar British caisson at the nearby museum. It was not one that could be taken apart like this one, but the forks for the cradle were very similar.

George Moore · #8 09-01-12, 15:16

Not sure if I am way off beam here, but the cradle looks to be very similar to the 18/25pdr.

Could this have been a split trail version ????

I know some were issued outside of the UK.

The trail end looks the same, but the saddle appears to be different, 'though it does have the same elevating gear gousing on the side.

pretty much a wild stab in the dark.

George.

George Moore · #9 09-01-12, 15:21

Sorry guys, just re-read the post, and you did say the "sled" was not part of the gun, but a seperate item.

[Finger / brain malfunction again]

George.