18 Pdr Limber ( Aust )

[Graeme Stephens]

Strange thing happened ( for me ) while I was setting up my 2 Limbers at a show, - I was applying a ‘ Please don’t touch’ sign using a magnet = and it fell off.
My Metro made 18Pdr 1918 Wagon/Limber - the rear door and 3 sides are non-magnetic, all other frame works are magnetic, top, floor, ect.
The BRC & W Wagon/limber is ‘all’ magnetic.
My Metro made 4.5 inch Wagon / limbers also have non-magnetic doors and sides.
I shall endeavour to take off a ‘door’ from one of my 4.5 Limbers to identify the rusty metal?
Unless someone has already encountered this.
The other Manufacturer I have seen is E.O.C. - ?

[tankbarrell]

EOC is likely Elswick Ordnance Co.

[Graeme Stephens]

I always like to present some military history to the general public for their curiosity/education and for my self-pride – if they show any appreciation.
A two or three day display, accommodates any visitor who asks ‘would you like to have …… , I’ll bring it in tomorrow’, and they on occasion do.
Family members are wanting to find an appropriate place for items to end up.
At my last display a guy remarked that his Grand-dad was in Artillery, and in his old shed were Black & White sticks, which were once used to play Croquet.
I showed a lot of interest, and the next day, 2 black/white Aiming Posts and 2 ‘was’ red/white posts were gratefully received.
I’ve kept the Black/white posts in mostly original condition, the others needed blasting and repainting.
And they fit !

[Graeme Stephens]

Many years ago, I was lucky to find an original (?) Limber key, equally as luck runs, we have in this State a Master military restorer/craftsman – Wayne Henderson, who made casts of the key in bronze.
Now I have time to learn leather craft and wet moulding, saddle stitching, and trial & error.
Having the 3 rivet holes gives the pouch limits, my first attempt wasn’t bulky enough to allow for the string/ lanyard – apparently in the first winter action in 1914 the keys to gain access to the ammo were dropped in the mud, resulting in a white string being attached to ‘all’ tools.
Images of the Limber pouches are vague, and with this Mk3 attempt I’m quite satisfied.

[Mike K]

Brisbane

https://digital.slq.qld.gov.au/deliv...s_pid=FL341151

[Graeme Stephens]

Thanks Mike - great photo, I see the canvas mudguards are having a hard time , and there are the 18 Pdr firing platforms, the gaping modified hole in the rear door for the tow hook - it's not nice.

[Graeme Stephens]

The 1913 Handbook placed the Fuze Indicators as one behind the Gun Shield, and another on top and to the rear of the Ammunition Wagon.
It appears that the Indicator had a transformation near the beginning of ww1, from a large ‘Clock’ to a ‘Slide Rule’, which became Indicator Mk11 …. this made all the original Indicators – Mk1’s.#
This had me wondering when in time were the obvious ( Mk 11? ) ‘Indicator’ brackets placed on the Wagon’s upper rear door,- and ‘found’ in the Amendments 1914/15 the instructions for the locations for the Mk11 Indicator, - behind and top right of the Gun Shield ( as the Carragh Camp Museum Gun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mQ5oGqYHco&t=544s ), ), and at the rear of the Ammunition Wagon.
So mid/late ww1 production Wagons had the Brackets installed…….