2 Pdr tool

[Graeme Stephens]

Years ago I was given this tool, thought to be, a US Jerry Can cap opener.
Only recently I found the ‘other’ true part, that of the 2 Pdr spring compressor tube.
A couple of questions, are these hard to find? And if anyone has one, what are the missing letters under the ‘farmers’ welding?
# After trying it out on my US cans, I took a closer look ( before blasting ) and could see 2Pr Mk11 No.523 D↑D, so I knew not to toss it out, and to put it aside.

[tankbarrell]

Nice find! It's listed in the handbook as 'Spanner, No 523' and detailed as for spring compressor. Yours is obviously Australian but is the same tool. No picture in the book though so nice to see one.
It's listed amongst the contents of the stores box, which I do have so will need to look for one myself! When I restored my gun, I just used an adjustable hook spanner.

[Graeme Stephens]

thought I would pop in a couple of follow up pics, I 'removed' the weld on the right arm, so now there 'is' half of a P,RI, then half an N, so SPANNER SPRING COMPRESSOR ?
The other arm which has spent a lot of time in the dirt, needed some heat to straighten it - the apparent material is Cast Steel.