25 Pounder info needed.

[Private_collector]

Gentlemen, can someone please explain what the parts are, that are circled in the following two photos? I'm trying to decide whether or not to make them for a project I am working on. Despite my best efforts, I can't find a workshop or repair manual for 25 pr on the internet, and my knowledge is lacking!

Mucih appreciated.

[rnixartillery]

Tony,

The first pic is the plate that you bolt the sight illumination box too ,the second pic is the basket that would contain two No6 mop bags .


Rob...................rnixartillery.

[Phillip]

Hi Tony,

First photo of the flat plate holds the box containing the 'Illuminating Apparatus No.5'

The second photo holds two canvas bags no.6. For the barrel pull through so - One side holds a lambs wool covered wooden cylinder and the other a cylindrical bristle brush, both with a rope and a lead ball attached.

If you need them, I'll find my manuals and send you the images along with photos of the actual items.

Regards

Phillip

[Private_collector]

Thank you Rob & Phillip,

Phillip, I would really appreciate photos of those items, if not putting you to trouble doing so. I don't think I have EVER seen those items before, so it will help me greatly.

Many thanks.

[tankbarrell]

What they said! I'm in need of an illumination apparatus for my gun if anybody has one available, even just a box would be great!

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Phillip,

I'd appreciate seeing those images too, please. High res sent to my email address would be good, please, so I can enlarge them for study.

Gents: I'm also looking for a '6 points of the compass' set of views of 25pdr - both early Australian and early British (ie without muzzle brake) in high res please. Anyone who can (and is willing to) help, please contact me via PM and I'll give you an email address to send them to.

Much gratitude in anticipation.

Mike

[Phillip]

Hi Tony,

No problem, mine are all unrestored but I'll dig them out and photograph.

Mike,

My quarter pounder is 1943 but converted in 1968 with a muzzle brake and counterweight.

Regards

Phillip

[Private_collector]

Thanks Phillip, that would be excellent.

Even now that i know what goes there, my internet searches still come up empty.
I have heaps of 25 pounder photos for reference, but none have anything in either of the locations I originally enquired about.

Fortunately, a 25 pr near to my location (outside a memorial hall) has both brackets on it still, so I can go take measurements. I'll do that when I get a chance.

[Mike Cecil]

Tony,

So have the guns at Murgon and Tiaro, so not too far from you.

Phillip: thanks for the info. Pity it is a late barrel conversion (from my perspective), but enjoy your 25pdr.

Regards

Mike

[Private_collector]

Mike,

The one at Tiaro is the one I referred to. That one is only 20 min away. I go to that one fairly often for reference photos and to take measurements. Never had anybody ask what I was doing. Quite a suitable distance for a CMP drive really. . Is all highway driving, but there are a few sections of double lanes, so faster vehicles can pass safely without sitting stressed behind me too long.

The Murgon gun is much further away. Its over an hour to that one. On the way to Murgon there is a decent size disposals store, so it makes the journey worthwhile, and it's always wise to break a long drive with.......well.....a stop at an Army disposal store!!!! Don't want to become 'fatigued'. Sorry, couldn't help myself. I got my 25pr dial sight there, as well as a nice case for my clinometer. But I have cleaned out their artillery gun stuff now. Apologies guys.

[Mike Cecil]

Tony,

PM sent .

Mike

[Phillip]

Tony,

Photos as requested:

- Cap, Sponge, No.6
- Cleaner, Piasaba, No.18
- Cleaner, Wool, No.1

I am missing one of the lamps for the battery box (The one with the right angle plug) and the case is missing the strap that holds the batter box in place and the two lamp clips.

If anyone has any bits, I would like to hear from them.

Regards

Phillip

[Phillip]

This needs to be read with the above post (then the above post makes sense as cleaners do not have lamps!)

- illuminating apparatus No.5

Regards

Phillip

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Phillip,

Thanks for the images: really useful and much appreciated.

Could you possibly provide a measurement set for the Illumination equipment case, please? Length x Width x Height?

Thanks

Mike

[Private_collector]

Cheers Phillip,

Now I know what sort of box I am looking for. Won't worry about the contents, but will keep you in mind, in case I find the missing parts.

At the risk of wearing out my welcome, is anyone able to provide dimensions, photos, and/or information on the two wooden (I assume) boxes that go on the right hand side of the gun, as viewed in the following photo.

[Rob Fast]

much appreciated. Cheers Rob

[Private_collector]

An eagerly awaited package arrived in the mail yesterday.

My NOS rope for the shield. It's beautiful. Even smells nice, like old hemp (or whatever it is).
Wasn't cheap, but good things rarely are. I believe more are available if anyone wants one. PM me if interested. It's an Australian military equipment seller, and I don't begrudge the $130AUD it cost.

The more genuine parts I can add to my gun, the better.

[lynx42]

PM sent Tony.
Regards Rick.

[rob love]

I have seen two sizes of the drag ropes. The 2 and six pounders are thinner rope than the 25 pounder rope. I have found a few examples kicking around in various boxes at the museum, including a NOS one which had the ends cut off and used simply for the rope to wrap a Jeep bumper.

[rnixartillery]

25 and 17 pounder tool box on ebay. These are getting up around the £100 mark in value,

Ozy eBay item number:

121874982698

Rob..................rnixartillery.

[Private_collector]

Thanks Rob, that ebay listed box would work out too expensive to buy, but did give me the measurements and some good reference photos.

[Private_collector]

Chaps,

Each day I search for one of those illuminating apparatus boxes, with no result as yet. I'll keep looking until I find one! Last night I was feeling bored and turned to making a single canvas bag for the holder on right side of the shield. If I understand correctly, it should be two seperate bags, but mine will be one piece for convenience. Good place to keep a couple of cans of drink, a museli bar or two.....and a packet of fags! All the essential things.

Also about to start on the two brackets holding the telescope case, and noticed something odd about the way the lower bracket goes, in relation to where the I.A. box sits. In reviewing photos I took of a 25 pounder nearby, that scope bracket overlaps quite a significant amount. See attached photos.

Looks like it would sit hard up against the box. Is this correct?

Can anyone supply me with a good photo of the plate that screws to the wooden block in my last photo, please? Alternatively, if you have one for sale, I would be interested in buying it. I recently hoped to get a local business to laser engrave a new CMP shift pattern plate, but sadly the image I had was not clean enough for scanning. I will try again with the plate I'm asking about now, and if an image is not usable, I'll try to mock one, using publisher software.

Thanks,

[rnixartillery]

Tony,

The lower sight case bracket is correct and is very close to the Sight illumination box once fitted.
I have zero line plate blocks and plates here for sale.
Email me for more details.

Cheers
Rob..................rnixartillery

[rnixartillery]

pics of my set up !

Rob..................rnixartillery

[Private_collector]

Thanks Rob, you have come to my rescue once again.

This afternoon I cut some canvas for the bag that goes into the cage looking holder on the R side of shield. This evening I had my first real sewing lesson with Mrs B. Patience of a saint, that woman. Neither of us were fantastically overjoyed with my sewing (and pattern making) abilities, but it's usable. We finished the sewing a few minutes ago, and I couldn't wait to stuff it with an old sheet to fill it out a little. Fits nicely into the frame. I am yet to receive a leather strap I ordered, which will hold the bag in place. I'll paint the metal frame once I drill the holes the strap will attach to, then put it on the shield. A crude job overall, but better than a kick in the chops!

[Private_collector]

Hello Folks,

What are these two brackets for, and can you please post a photo of whatever that item is? In all the photos I have, none show what should be there.

Really wanted to do a bit more work on the shield pieces today but I don't think I will be getting any progress today. We finally have some good rain, and it's still falling. Three inches in last 48hrs or so. Sounds impressive? Not by comparison with other places nearby, that have had more than double that amount. At least our grass will get a rejuvenation. Grass shouldn't go crunch when you walk on it.

[Private_collector]

Correction to last posting, re rainfall. Another 2" of rain (50mm) has fallen since I wrote previously. Now I understand why the ants have been so determined to climb on anything that has some height. I attempted to drive to the shop a few minutes ago, for a paper.

All Creek crossings between us and the highway, are flooded. I subscribe to a weather monitoring and alert service, and have just received an "amber" alert for high winds & heavy rainfall. It had stopped when I headed off to the shop, but has now restarted again. You could see it moving closer and closer.

Only one 'person' isn't phased with all the precipitation. Caramel, the chocky labrador, simply collected all her toys and went to bed!

Don't think I'll be doing anything worthwhile outside today!

[rnixartillery]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Hello Folks,
Attachment 79353
What are these two brackets for, and can you please post a photo of whatever that item is? In all the photos I have, none show what should be there.

Really wanted to do a bit more work on the shield pieces today but I don't think I will be getting any progress today. We finally have some good rain, and it's still falling. Three inches in last 48hrs or so. Sounds impressive? Not by comparison with other places nearby, that have had more than double that amount. At least our grass will get a rejuvenation. Grass shouldn't go crunch when you walk on it.

A slide Rule and you'll struggle to find the right one that fits !
pic sent of block and plate.

Rob...................rnixartillery.

[Euan McDonald]

Hi Tony, I think this is what you are looking for.
Large tool box on the trail and small tool box on the shield.

[Private_collector]

Excellent! Many thanks, Euan.
They are exactly what I wanted to see.


In addition to the zero plate and block that will be coming from Rob, I finally got a genuine WWII aussie shovel that is the correct height I need. Different handle to what I had been looking for, but is marked A&F P & Co. with the D^D as well, and I think it should look fine.....once I clean and paint the metal, and sand & stain the timber.

Getting there slowly.