French Army 81mm Mortar Crate

French 81mm Mortar Crate

This is a wooden ammunition crate issued by the French Army for 81mm mortar rounds. It was built to carry heavy munitions through the supply chain, so it makes a solid storage box for tools, range gear, cleaning kit or spare parts. Collectors, reenactors and anyone setting up a workshop or display use it because it is the real issued article, still carrying its original stenciled markings.

Features

• Solid Pine Construction — The sides, ends and lid are made from planks of unpainted pine nailed into a rigid box.
• Batten-Braced Lid — Two crosswise wooden battens stiffen the lid and keep the planks from spreading under load.
• Twin Metal Hasp Latches — A pair of metal hasps, hinged clasps that fold over and lock onto a catch, hold the lid shut.
• Rope Carry Handles — White rope loops at each end let two people lift the crate or one person drag it.
• Corner Reinforcement — Extra timber blocks at the corners strengthen the joints and lift the lid surface for stacking.
• Original NSN Stencil — The crate carries NATO Stock Number 1315-14-541-6397, the codification number militaries use to catalogue supplies, with 14 identifying France.
• 81mm Mortar Ammunition Markings — Black stenciling on the front references 81mm mortar rounds along with lot information.
• Shipping Data Stenciled On — Packed weight of 37.00 kg, a 0.058 cubic meter volume and temperature range symbols appear as printed for military logistics.

Markings And Origin

The front panel shows the crate's full French issue markings, including the NSN, a lot number (1315-317-0008) and the codes that identified its original contents. The 1315 prefix is the NATO supply class for ammunition between 75mm and 125mm, which covers the 81mm mortar. Because it is issued military packaging and not a decorative copy, the stenciling and hardware are exactly as the French supply system specified them.