LP2a SAR restoration

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Phillip,

Your flare pistol - what make is it please?

Also, I seem to remember the flare cartridges had a dob or mark of paint on the base the same colour as the flare? Long time ago now, but I looked into making dummy flare cartridges when I was working on the Dingo, and had an un-fired original to work from. Don't know if that was common, but it made sense to me. Worth thinking about.

Very nice job with the carrier.

Mike

[Phillip]

Hi Mike,

How are things in the US?

I was thinking the same thing as it would make sense and certainly some flare cartridges do have a marking on the base.

I acquired two fired 1943 dated flares that were in pretty good condition and one of these was used to make the mould. In nearly added a coloured ring around the primer on these, but on close examination of the originals, neither showed any sign of a coloured marking on the base.

Does anyone have an fired/ unfired WW2 dated flare that shows a coloured mark on the base?

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Phillip,

Life in the US of A is good, despite the current madness and that on top of an election year (which are always pretty mad on their own, without COVID-19 chucked into the mix!!)

I regret to say I did not photograph the flare before disposing of it, so am working from 11 year-old memories. I hope someone on MLU has an original or two to show if my memory is serving me correctly ... or not!

The flare pistol: what make, please? I assume the Mark is No.I Mk.III*.

Do you have the 'Case, Leather' for the pistol? They were very common as NOS at one stage many years ago, but most had had the shoulder strap removed for some unknown reason.

Best regards

Mike

[Phillip]

Sorry Mike, forgot to answer your question.

It is a MkIII, 1941, made by CSR. (Colonial Sugar Refinery Company). I have a holster (with the strap) in a box somewhere.

[Phillip]

Three years and six months after bringing the old girl home, she lives....

[Phillip]

A few small detail bits to finish in there.

[Lynn Eades]

Excellent effort Phillip. She looks very smart. Well done!

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Phillip

Hi Mike,

How are things in the US?

I was thinking the same thing as it would make sense and certainly some flare cartridges do have a marking on the base.

I acquired two fired 1943 dated flares that were in pretty good condition and one of these was used to make the mould. In nearly added a coloured ring around the primer on these, but on close examination of the originals, neither showed any sign of a coloured marking on the base.

Does anyone have an fired/ unfired WW2 dated flare that shows a coloured mark on the base?

I have a couple of 1960-70 dated (alloy) spent cases, and there are no coloured markings on the base. One of them does have a green primer but that may be corrosion because the case is marked with a red star! Older cases may well have a coloured ring around the primer but that will be red or violet and is from a spirit varnish used to waterproof the primer (as on .303 and other cases). I think the only colour markings are on the side of the case and the wad or closure disc. The later all-metal cases had a stamped alloy disc closure which was anodised with the star colour for identification in daylight and had an embossed design (also applied to the lid of the 3-round canister) for identification by touch at night. (White (illuminating) was plain I think, green had a triangle, and red had a cross.)

Chris.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

I have a couple of 1960-70 dated (alloy) spent cases, and there are no coloured markings on the base. One of them does have a green primer but that may be corrosion because the case is marked with a red star! Older cases may well have a coloured ring around the primer but that will be red or violet and is from a spirit varnish used to waterproof the primer (as on .303 and other cases). I think the only colour markings are on the side of the case and the wad or closure disc. The later all-metal cases had a stamped alloy disc closure which was anodised with the star colour for identification in daylight and had an embossed design (also applied to the lid of the 3-round canister) for identification by touch at night. (White (illuminating) was plain I think, green had a triangle, and red had a cross.)

Chris.

I agree with Chris on the colours. I also think the position of the flare cartridge box could have been problematic. The hinge is at the top such that when open all the flares would be on their sides with nothing but gravity holding them in place. One good pitch (as carriers are know to do from time to time) and all 12 flairs would be in your lap.

Magnificent job by the way, it looks amazing!!!

[Phillip]

Steve is an incredibly talented saddle maker who made the steering gators, he has also made the Vickers spare barrel case, completely hand sewn and made from 4mm leather, there is an incredible amount of work involved and the result is awesome.

[Phillip]

Mr Henderson visited on the weekend and made me drag some of the gear for the carrier out of storage to dress it up. He had a point, if it was up to me this would not have happen for a while. At least my gear changes improved, sort of, maybe a little.......


I do have to find what sort of post mount these used for the Bren, this one was borrowed from a Hotchkiss mount and is not tall enough for the AA role.

I am also still looking for a good drawing of the trapezoidal 3” mortar base plate. Can anyone out there help with this?

[Wayne Henderson]

Looks brilliant!