Wanted: 155mm Loading Barrow

[chris vickery]

Seeking a loading barrow (loading tray) for the 155mm howitzer.
As separate component rounds, the 155mm shell was placed on to the tray and two gunners would lift and place it at the opening of the breech so that it could be rammed into place.
Would like to find an original or even get pics and dimensions of one to fabricate a reproduction .

[Ed Storey]

Here you go, a diagram of the Loading Tray from: CW-7 Canadian Ordnance Catalogue - Parts Identification List - Howitzer, 155mm, M1A1CDN on Carriage, Howitzer, 155mm, M1A2CDN with Mechanism, Recoil, 155mm, M6A2CDN - 1955.

[rob love]

I have a tray out in the shed, but I'll have to look if its 90mm or 155. Otherwise, they will likely be out in the local scrapyard once the snow melts in a month or two.

[chris vickery]

Rob, if you find me one, I’ll take it!

[rob love]

Looking at Ed's photo, I think the one I have is for the 90mm. The handles come out further, but I'll confirm.

Rob

[chris vickery]

Rob, sounds good, if not perhaps a hunting trip at the yard once spring hits if you’re up for it.

[rob love]

Here are some shots of the one I have. It may be another pattern to what Ed showed, or it may be for the 90mm.

I know there are more of these at the scrapyard.

[rob love]

I checked some of my copies of the 155 howitzer manuals, and as it turns out the tray I have is for the 155. I guess, over time, there were different variants of the tray. This manual is from 1945.

[tankbarrell]

That loading tray is for the 155mm gun, the previous picture is the one for the 155mm howitzer. The respective shells are not the same, though they are the same size and weight but the loading height on the gun is greater than the howitzer, hence the taller tray.

[rob love]

I guess that makes sense. I believe we had the Long-Tom here in Shilo which would explain why I have found them out this way.

It does look kind of awkward to use. You would certainly want to be paired with someone of similar stature when using it.

[chris vickery]

Photo credit to Robin at G503 Artillery section, a pic of his US supplied tray.
As I have amassed quite a bit of US Vietnam era militaria, this is the type that I am looking for.

[tankbarrell]

I bought one for mine from ordnance.com in the US. Not sure if they are still going. Took a bit to get it to the UK but it was worth it.

[rob love]

They have not had a website in quite some time, however he sells on gunbroker.com all the time.