LP2 engine cover bracket-purpose???

[Darrin Wright]

I have this unique bracket on my engine cover, located on the rear right outer panel below the dipstick holder.
This engine cover is from my 1941 Vic Rail BGC Mortar Carrier Aust.
There are no wear marks around the bracket and no other brackets.
I have seen this bracket on 4 other mortar carriers but not on standard BGCs.

So what does it do?

Happy for any ideas or guess work, hopefully someone with 3" mortar knowledge may contribute.

I thought it maybe for the bi-pod stowage, the ground pins on the bi-pod feet may locate in the bracket and somehow the top of the bi-pod would locate on something (wood stowage block) located on top of the engine cover. I know the mortar tube located in grooved/scalloped timber blocks on top of the engine cover.
I do not have any 3" mortar items to test fit.

Thanks for any assistance.

[Andrew Rowe]

You sure that bracket isn't for the butt of a .303 rifle, to go along side the engine ??

[Darrin Wright]

I had considered that it may be for a rifle or Bren MG; however there are no other brackets unless they are mounted on the wood stowage blocks mounted on to of the engine cover.
The rest of the vehicle is configured for a Vickers MG.
If it was for a rifle, there are no other weapon mounts for personal weapons for the rest of the crew.
Also this feature did not transition into other BGC.