6 Pounder A/T Gun (Aust)

Darian Carn · #1 19-05-09, 17:39

G'day All,

We have finally started to restore our 6 Pdr Gun, but need some help and assistance with a couple of things.

Firstly, our Gun is missing the Lower "hinged" Sheild. I've taken some measurements from the upper sheild, but really need the over-alls and the positions of the "cut-outs" for the stabiliser legs. There are various different lower sheilds, and depending on the country of manufacture, some have no cut-outs, some have partial rectangular cut-outs (as the Australian one has) and some have elongated slots that go all the way to the bottom of the sheild with straps over the ends (as the US 57mm). As far as I can tell from photographs that I have been able to find, we need the lower sheild with the rectangular cut-outs, as the one that the Jacques Littlefield Collection has.

If anyone has access to a 6 Pdr Gun (Australian) and would be able to give me more detailed measurements (and drawings) that would be great. I can "guess-timate" it if I have too, but would prefer to get it right first off.

We are also missing all of the sighting gear, sight holder, etc. and if anyone can help out, or steer me in the right direction, I would be grateful. The sighting gear is slightly different on the variuous different country guns but they are so close that having any sighting gear would really help to complete the gun.

The "Shoulder Stock" (the side-ways u-shaped piece) is also missing so any help or assistance whether that be measurements, drawings, templates, patterns, etc - or even the spare one that you have out-the-back - would be great also.

Measuremants and details of the Hand Spikes that go in the leg of the trail as well, please.

In fact any 6 Pdr Parts, no matter how big or small, help or any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Attached are a few photographs of Jacques Littlefield's Gun showing the pieces mentioned.

Here's hoping I haven't scared everyone off!!

With Many Thanks,

KInd Regards,

Darian.

Wayne Henderson · #2 19-05-09, 20:48

I've got spare hubs and rims which I no longer require. I'm in W.A.

Darian Carn · #3 20-05-09, 00:41

G'day Wayne,

Many Thanks, but we are right for thr rims and hubs. I should have re-edited the photo with the rim circled to just show the lower sheild.

Am looking for tyres though - 8.25 x 10.00's - if anybody can help.

Cheers,

Darian.

Philliphastings · #4 20-05-09, 06:16

Hello Darian,

I have a section of the lower vertical shield, rusty, abused and oxy cut off but does have a steel data plate attached which positively ID's it as 6 Pdr...

Cheers

Phill

Mike K · #5 20-05-09, 07:41

Darien

Do you have a copy of the 1944 GMH colour movie ? It has footage of the new 6 pounders being test fired on a range . They show them being transported on a LL Chevy and trailer and unloading ..the army chaps are very casual .. firing them off
Mike

Tony Smith · #6 20-05-09, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darian Carn

G'day Wayne,

Many Thanks, but we are right for thr rims and hubs. Am looking for tyres though - 8.25 x 10.00's - if anybody can help.

Cheers,

Darian.

Darian, have you read the first posting in This Thread?

I understand your options are solid tyres from a Forklift, cannabalise a 4.2" Mortar, or find some F8/ C8 13" rims and fit 9.00-13s which just clear the sheild.

Darian Carn · #7 20-05-09, 15:32

G'day All,

Thanks for the replies.

Phill,

We have (I believe) all the sheilds and data plates, but missing only the very bottom hinged section of the sheild. Not having seen one I don't know whether this has a data plate or not - is this the section that you have, or is it the section that small vertical section comes up in front of the sloping main sheild?

Mike,

No, I don't have a copy of the 1944 GMH colour movie. Where did you get yours from, and are copies still available? I would love to get a copy for my records. Any further info would be great.

Mr. Smith (Tony),

Yes, I have thanks, both read and kept my eyes on that thread and post, but it soon switches to other size tyres. Just thought I'd ask as not everyone goes back over the old threads and there are some newer forum members that may just have the odd one laying around. You never know!! We do have a 4.2" Mortar, but I don't want to cannabilise that.

Is, or are, there any other 6 Pounder A/T Guns out there?

I remember seeing a thread that was a show up Cooma way where there was a photo of a 6 Pdr but the lower sheild is hidden behind sand bags. Then theres the one at Royal Australia Infantry Corps Museum.

Ours is the one from the Melbourne Tank Museum (ex John Bellfield). There were another two here in South Australia a long time ago, but one went to the Australian War Memorial and the other to the Jacques Littlefield Collection (pictured above).

If anyone can help with the Lower hinged sheild and sighting gear that would be fantastic.

A couple of shots of our gun - back then on a friends place before it finally came back home and in the workshop being dismantled ready for blasting.

Thanks again,

Cheers,

Darian.

Darian Carn · #8 20-05-09, 15:43

A few more shots of the Gun being disassembled.

Darian.

Philliphastings · #9 26-05-09, 06:18

Hello Darian
Sorry the part I have is just one side of the fixed, intermediate shield and not the bottom flap. Probably not much good to you I'm afraid. Even the data plate is rusty steel and oxy welded to the armour section.

Good luck with your project - looking good.

Cheers

Phill

Mike K · #10 26-05-09, 08:11

I put this page together some years back ...on the VMVC web site

http://www.geocities.com/vmvc1au/GMH.html

Bob McNeill · #11 26-05-09, 13:51

this is the only pic I have ,taken in Canberra at an open day a few years back, it,s in private hands, not sure who. there is a twin 6pr at North Fort Museum at Manly [ sydney ].

Darian Carn · #12 02-06-09, 17:53

Hello again All,

Many Thanks for the replies.

I have been "Off-Line" thanks to the kids using up all the Internet usage last month - better try to get some posting in before they do it to me again!

Hello Phil,

Sounds like the piece of sheild you have is one that we already have, but thanks anyway.

Mike,

Great Images from the book. I'll go through my Dad's Books and see if we have the GMH Record.

Bob,

Thanks for the image of the 6 Pdr in Canberra. It appears to be the same gun that was shown in the Cooma Motorfest thread. At least you can see the lower hinged sheild in this shot.

If anyone knows who the owner is and could possibly put me in touch with them to get the dimensions of the Lower Hinged Sheild it would be appreciated.

Work on the Gun has progressed but getting the barrel out of the slipper was a major exercise but we eventually got there. Almost as hard was getting the slipper out of the cradle - many years of sitting still and rust!! Not that they had rusted together but just the smallest amount of rust and expansion in the small tolerances and they took forever to budge.

A few more shots of the works in progress.

Darian.

Darian Carn · #13 02-06-09, 18:00

A few more shots of the works. Far from finished on these pieces yet though. Just thought you might like to see them.

Darian.

Darian Carn · #14 04-06-09, 16:44

G'day All,

Missing from the Gun when we got it, among other things, was the Elevating Arc.

Without this Arc, the barrel just wonders up and down with nothing to retain it when the trails are open.

After many an email and what felt like an eternity (about 2 years which probably really isn't that long - I bet some of you have waited longer !!) the part was finally found.

A HUGE THANKS must go to Gary A. in the US who finally tracked one down and sent it over here. I can't thank him enough for all his help and assistance.

I am so happy (and relieved) that we finally have another (major) piece of the puzzle solved.

Still smiling,

Darian.

(Last photo is of Jaques Littlefield's Gun showing the Elevating Arc in position).

colin jones · #15 04-06-09, 23:17

Hi Darian, if I only knew you were missing that part. One just got sold on ebay for $12.

YEAH RIGHT

Keep up the good work, Looking good.
Colin.

Darian Carn · #16 08-06-09, 16:36

Hello All,

Spent the last couple of nights working on the 6 Pdr with Pedr (Fellow Forum Member) who is helping and assisting (with many thanks) in the restoration of the Gun. I would also like to thanks David Lean and Colin Jones (another Fellow Forum Member) for their help and assistance so far.

To All Three - MANY THANKS.

The parts were stripped, bead blasted and, if reqiured, polished ready for preliminary final assemly or priming. Works still in progress.

Still looking for help with the sheild and sighting gear, Fellas!! Any assistance in this regard would be grateful.

Photos of some of the parts for your interest.

Kind Regards,

Darian.

Philliphastings · #17 10-06-09, 06:20

Darian that is top notch work you are producing !

Well done and look forward to one day seeing the finished product in the flesh.

Cheers

Phill

Darian Carn · #18 14-06-09, 15:44

G'day All,

Started work on the breech block and breech ring, having temporarily diverted from the trail disassembly.

We have also continued bead-blasting small pieces and started on the stabiliser legs.

A few photos of the works in progress. Will post some more of the Breech Block when it is finished. Started mechanically and being finished by hand (does that sound right!!).

Cheers,

Darian.

daninnm · #19 17-06-09, 17:09

I repro the drag rope (made from components just like in the M1 gun manual (last pages) See picture $68 US + ship....or pick up at MVPA National from Rod Shaver's booth (Scout Car Rod)....I have four rectangularly spaced bolt holes on lower left shield - looks like it matches the holes on the "lube order or records holder" on your right shield (backside)...also have four hopes on upper left shield - no idea what goes there. Ideas?

Darian Carn · #20 19-06-09, 18:56

G'day Dan,

Your Drag Rope/s look really good and Thanks for the offer of Drag Ropes but we already have them.

The four holes on the inside left upper sheild are for the "Spare Parts Box". Not really a very big box for spares - I guess they figured they would be very reliable!!! Positive thinking!!!

If you need any measurements, etc, of the Lube / Record Holder let me know and I'll measure it up.

Work is progressing, just slowly.

Cheers,

Darian.

daninnm · #21 19-06-09, 22:47

I found matching holes on the RIGHT side shield!!!! That's the same box I have too! Holes of left side shield form a vertical rectangle with long (vertical) side 3X width!? Guess standard lube order would go inside holder on lower right shield (inside) - below where my box is mounted.......also, there are two footman loops on my shield on left side front - up high besdie the door that opens to the gunsight - any idea?
The footman loops on the lower hinged shield appear to be for the pick handle but with the shield up - it would hit the rounded carriage 'nose'??!!

malcolm erik bogaert · #22 28-06-09, 12:03

at the moment Withams in UK are offering an ex gate guard from Weeton Baracks Preston/Lancashire for sale////regards malcolm

Bob McNeill · #23 27-09-09, 03:17

Was down in Manly on Sat and at North Fort Museum they have a A/T 6 pr on display as well as a 17 pr and 2 pr, if you ASK nicely they might let take some pics or sizes. The light was not good, and security tight. Bob.

lssah2025 · #24 27-09-09, 03:27

This is from the 1st A/B in California, Gary Archer owned the gun, don't know if he still does.

http://imageevent.com/gazzavc/6pound...kvxzg1.zebra_s

I know they reproduced the lower shield...

horsa · #25 28-09-09, 03:14

Hey Darian,

Not sure if you need one but I've got an ex-Aussie WWII 6-pdr action cover available.

http://www.visualcollector.com/Tommy...TommyStuff.htm

Darian Carn · #26 19-10-09, 03:46

G'day All,

I have been "out of the loop" for a while - busy with work, etc. and haven't had much of a chance to do anything.

Work commitments, etc. are keeping me too busy to spend time on the "good stuff"!!

Bob,

Many Thanks for the heads up on the Fort North Museum and keeping an eye out for us. Greatly appreciated. I'll endeavour to make contact with them soon and see what they may be able to do to assist us. Failing that, I'll see if someone up that way will be able to help us out.

Lance,

I am aware of Gary and have been in touch with him several times. He has been extremely helpful. They did an absolutely fantastic job of their gun.

The lower sheild on the Australian Gun is very similar to overseas versions but not quite the same. I could possibly scale from photographs however I really would like to get it exactly right. If I have to do it I'd rather only do it once, and right, the first time. Thanks for the thought. It is appreciated.

David,

Many Thanks also for the offer of the cover.

We have a N.O.S. Cover at the workshop that Pedr picked up for us quite a while back. I'm not sure if it is the same one, so I'll track it down and check it out. I can't remember which of the covers we have.

We have been working away (when what little spare time is available) on some of the smaller parts, but nothing really sustantial though. Still every little bit gets us closer - albeit ever so slowly.

With things piling up before Christmas (everybody wants everthing .. yesterday) we've been slowed down a bit on the restoration front ... and the New Year is looking to be just as busy. I need to get sick to get some time off!!

We are still looking for the sighting gear, etc. so if anyone has a lead or is able to help out, we would be very grateful.

Again, With Many Thanks,

Kind Regards to all,

Darian.

25pdrfg · #27 20-10-09, 20:06

Hi
Dairan
I wonder if you would give me permision to post some of your great pics of your restoration on the "Military Modeling" site as there is someone who is trying to find details of the 6pdr for a build
Thanks David N

Darian Carn · #28 21-10-09, 16:19

G'day David,

You are more than welcome to use the pictures in any of my posts. The only pictures in my posts that are not mine are the images in my first post (which are photographs of the gun at Jacques Littlefield's).

Feel free to use any of mine though.

If you need, or want, bigger or higher resolution images either PM or Email me and I'll email / post them back.

Cheers,

Darian.