M2A1 105mm howitzer

Tony R · #1 26-02-09, 18:58

Hi,

Here is my just arrived 1943 M2A1 howitzer, in need of a bit of TLC.

Bits for these babies are a bit hard to find. Sooooo, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get the quadrant mount bracket as mine has been de-miled by liberal use of a sledge hammer! I believe the 105 in a slightly modified form is still used by the Canadian forces?

Any help would be MOST gratefully received!

Thanks!

John McGillivray · #2 27-02-09, 14:28

Here is a link to the Technical Manual for the 105mm M2A1.

http://ahecwebdds.carlisle.army.mil/...lG75XdpA__.pdf

Tony R · #3 27-02-09, 18:18

Thanks John, that is an excellent manual.

Just need to find those parts now! Any pointers guys?

Thanks!

maple_leaf_eh · #4 28-02-09, 16:21

Where are you located? If the Canadian C1 is similar, there is a way of interesting ex-Canadian weapons technicians in your project. The Electrical Mechanical Engineer Association has a journal.

Make a good photo story, describe your gun, ask specific questions and ask for help. There will be people who will be jealous, people who will be dismissive, and others who are genuinely curious.

I don't know when 105s like yours left the US inventory.

sapper740 · #5 28-02-09, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony R

Any help would be MOST gratefully received!

Tony, there is a collector here in Texas who brings his 105 out now and then to our reenactments. If you know most collectors, they always seem to have either spare parts or know where to get them. I'll try to find his contact info and pass it on to you. Derek.

Tony R · #6 01-03-09, 11:11

Thanks Derek And Terry. All great info. I live in the UK. As far as I know the 105's like mine served in a very slightly modified form during the Vietnam war as the M101A1.

Whilst there are very few M2A1's in private hands in the States, there could well be some parts (I hope!). Maybe Canada has more potential as they used them more recently???

Made some progress with the gun yesterdy, after MUCH pounding with a block of wood and a sledge hammer managed to get the breech out. The amount of slag from the torching was incredible! Need to get it welded up and milled down now.

Tony R · #7 04-03-09, 19:13

To repair the recoil cylinder assembly I need a bit of 1 1/8" UNF threaded stud 4" long, or a bolt of similar size, together with a flanged nut to fit. Can anyone help? There appears to be nothing like it over here in the UK.

Thanks!!!!!!

maple_leaf_eh · #8 04-03-09, 22:34

Canada had towed 155 guns from the 1950's until about 10-15 yrs ago. I remember seeing parts at a surplus yard in Beloeuil, Quebec. The owner of ( http://www.prefair.ca/products/?s=432 ) Jean-Baptiste ????? was buying surplus by the truckload from the supply depot in Montreal. Who knows if anything from the 105mm C1 howitzers have been sold. The only complication asking Jean-Baptiste anything, is he only speaks French. But money talks the universal language.

About 3 yrs ago, I bought 3 dozen .22 LR storage chests from him - really rotten and punky. He might remember me loading onto the roof of my family car (don't tell the Residential Sergeant Major).

(I just changed the url from the old store name to the new name.)

CWO (ret) Gilles Aubé · #9 05-03-09, 03:57

Tony I would like to help can you take a picture of what you are looking for.

Gilles
UBIQUE

Tony R · #10 05-03-09, 19:51

Hi Giles,

Here is a photo of what I'm looking for, its from a friend of mine who also has a 105. The threaded stud that you see was cut off by the guy who de-milled the guns in Greece, luckily his bit was kept with the gun, mine was thrown away. The flanged nut was a lucky find by him, it looks very close to the original. So, I'm looking for a 1 1/8" diameter threaded stud or bolt at least 4" long with a UNF thread and a flanged nut to fit.

It would be great if someone could point me in the right direction as I failed to find much at all on the internet.

This photo shows what happens when Mr Sledge Hammer meets Mr Quadrant Mount. Nastey!

A number of fittings have been smashed off and thrown away. I would really like to find a replacement.

Thanks for the heads up Terry, I'll try to contact Jean-Baptiste, Google translator works wonders!!!

Thanks to all who have posted, really appreaciate it.