25 pdr project

shaun · #1 22-10-11, 23:28

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

lynx42 · #2 23-10-11, 08:13

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.

shaun · #3 23-10-11, 10:38

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

lynx42 · #4 24-10-11, 04:17

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.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #5 24-10-11, 05:09

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

shaun · #6 24-10-11, 10:45

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

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #7 24-10-11, 11:08

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

shaun · #8 24-10-11, 19:41

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

Stuart Kirkham · #9 27-10-11, 12:13

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

British army, Cyprus mid 70's.