Anyone recognise these bore brushes?

rob love · #1 31-03-12, 02:35

Mechanical bore cleaning machines? If the artillery adopted those, then there would be very little left for a gunner to do in 10 months a year that they aren't in the field. I know what you mean about the effort required to pull a brush through a bore. Not personally mind you, but I watched it done many times. Come to think of it, I have pulled the bofors barrel on my own, but the difference between 40mm and 105 mm is quite fair.

I did ask one of the guys who has been around for some 25 years, and he has not seen them before.

I am pretty sure these have been around for quite a while. The part of the yard I found the first batch of them in dates back to the 70s and 80s. There are quite a number of them between the two yards which almost makes me doubt 106 recoiless. There were only 6 or 8 of them in Winnipeg.....hardly justifies this quantity of brushes.

I took one apart tonight and there are absolutely no markings anywhere on them. I guess they will remain a mystery for now. Can any of the black hatters tell if these are leo?

Here is a quick shot of some of my other finds that weekend. The Canadian style telescope storage box was the best find of the day. I already had a US one, so the lid from this one has been removed from the damaged box and will be riveted onto the other case.

RHClarke · #2 31-03-12, 02:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob love

Mechanical bore cleaning machines? If the artillery adopted those, then there would be very little left for a gunner to do in 10 months a year that they aren't in the field. ...Here is a quick shot of some of my other finds that weekend. The Canadian style telescope storage box was the best find of the day. I already had a US one, so the lid from this one has been removed from the damaged box and will be riveted onto the other case.

There are still floors to be swept, parking lots to be cleaned, rocks to paint, and gopher holes to fill. As for the kit you found in the yard, I kind of find myself getting sentimental as a good portion of my youth was spent using and cleaning that kit. Nice to see some of it is finding a good home, you closet gunner.

rob love · #3 31-03-12, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHClarke

you closet gunner.

ouch!!!!

No such affliction I will assure you.

Perry Kitson · #4 31-03-12, 19:04

While you are on the subject, any leads on cleaning kit for the 25Pdr? In particular, brushes and stave. Or loading tools?

Perry

rob love · #5 31-03-12, 20:46

All I have to spare for a 25 pdr is the quick release and the come-a-long for doing the recouperator pullback. The quick release is an ok size item, but the chain hoist is a hernia waiting to happen.

easo · #6 01-04-12, 12:22

The three on the left are 105mm Leopard horse hair or brass brissel brushes. The eye at the top should have a split pin so it can come apart/unscrew. I have some about and will get some photos. The right one looks very similar to what is used by M1A1 crews. Now if it measures 105mm and not 120mm then it could be the earlier M1 with 105 gun.

However the first 3, I am sure of.

Easo

rob love · #7 01-04-12, 14:46

Thanks Easo, that's the information I was looking for. It's been over 30 years since I was on the leopards and have no recollection of the bore brushes. The one on the right is the standard 105 brush used on the 105 howitzers and 106 recoiless.