25 pdr project
 

I have just saved a 25 pdr funeral carrage from the cutting torch. Its build date is 1940. I have a spare barrel complete, but im looking for a few other bits like a sheild etc. Anyone got spare bits please drop me a line.
TTFN
Shaun

Shaun,

I think that it is a shame to reconvert your 25pdr. Casket carraige back into a 25pdr Gun Howitzer.

What you have is far more rare than a gun.

I know that it is hard to obtain a good example of a 25pdr., (well it is here in Australia anyway), but even harder to find one like the one you have found.

Any way thats my 2 bobs worth. Good luck with it whichever way you go.

Regards Rick.

Hi Rick,
I have thought hard and long over exactly that argument. The conversion is a very basic one , just removing the barrel and sheild / A couple of brackets were then produced and a board fixed on top of the brackets. i dont have the board or all of the brackets. I feel to display it as a funeral carrige could be seen as a bit morbid ( i have no way of finding out who has been carried on it as this would have been a deciding factor as well ) and finally if i ever decide to part with it there is the value and sale abilaty to consider. A 25prd gun is more sort after than a F/c i would think.
But really , thanks for your views . it has made me look again at the options and confirm my thoughts to put it back to a gun.

It would be nice to put it back to MK1 spec with out the muzzel brake and counter ballance .

TTFN
Shaun

G'day Shaun,

I've attached a couple of photos of my 25pdr. Built by G & J Weir in Scotland in 1940. It is No. 266. (The Australian War Memorial has one by the same manufacturer, No. 504.)

I have the breech etc. but I am missing the striker case and firing pin. If you happen to find one in your travels, or any one on MLU has one, please let me know.

I also have an Australian Short 25pdr. It is No. 0175 but is pretty sad. Certainly saveable and and it will be with a bit of hard work.

I have not been able to find any records as yet at the AWM but a trip to Canberra is on the cards.

266 now lives in our museum colllection which is a lot better than sitting outside like it used too.

Regards Rick.

Funeral Carriage??
 

Hi Shaun - I am not sure how this can qualify as a funeral carriage. Most funeral carriages I have seen have been flat tops so somebody might have just used it for a funeral for an artillery person. It definitely does not look like the run of the mill funeral carriage. If it is only a one off with no real provenance I would rebuild the gun. The key word here is Provenance and the research to establish that.

Bob

Hi Bob,
The organisation i got this from has other funeral carriges (13pdr and 18pdr) all with provonance. Is one had no provenace and is in a poor state so it was decided it had to go. There was a wooden tray supported by 2 brackets above the barrel. the tray had rollers and a raised edge. You van see one of the brackets still attached. when it came up for disposal i just happened to be in the right place at the right time (benifits of the job).
I have access to 3 other 25pdrs in our museum collection so i will probably copy the missing parts if i cant get the genuine parts.
I will have a look and see if i have the parts you need. I hold a firearms dealers license here (UK) so shipping is no problem if you are covered your side of the 3rd rock.

TTFN
Shaun

My Choice
 

Hi Shaun - your further explanation puts a different slant on this carriage. I agree entirely with Rick to keep it as a funeral carriage. It would be a darn sight less expensive to replace the upper tray, rollers etc. as it would be to rebuild another 25pdr. You already have access to three and they really are a dime a dozen unlike funeral carriages. There is nothing bizzare in having one. I personally like the more unusual vehicles and this is no exception. In fact this is like having two vehicles in one, a 25pdr undercarriage with a tray top converting it to a funeral carriage.

Enjoy your sleepless nights mulling this one over.

Bob

Hi Bob,
Now working in the museum world this is a conundrum oftern encounted . What to do with an artifact ????? - preseivation , conservation or restoration ???? if its restoration what period in the artifact history do you restore it back to.

I will ponder some more, im not likley to start on the restoration this year.

TTFN
Shaun

Not sure if you have seen this photo Shaun. Look very similar to yours.

British army, Cyprus mid 70's.