Italian 81/14 Model 35 Mortar Case
Steel transport case for three complete rounds of the Italian Mortaio da 81/14 Mod. 35 81 mm mortar.
Images
Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Designation (Stencil) |
MORTAIO da 81 3 COLPI COMPLETI A PICCOLA CAPACITÀ |
| Translation | 81 mm Mortar – 3 Complete Rounds – Small Capacity |
| Intended Weapon | Mortaio da 81/14 Mod. 35 (Italian 81 mm mortar) |
| Country | Kingdom of Italy / WWII Italian forces |
| Period | World War II era |
| Construction | Corrugated steel case with reinforcing ribs, hinged lid, and metal latches; olive drab paint with white stenciled markings. |
| Capacity | Three complete 81 mm mortar rounds (bomb, charge, and fuze), plus additional increments and cartridges. |
Historical Summary
This metal container was used by the Italian military during the Second World War to transport complete 81 mm mortar rounds for the Mortaio da 81/14 Mod. 35. The stenciled label— MORTAIO da 81 – 3 COLPI COMPLETI – A PICCOLA CAPACITÀ—indicates that the case is designed for three complete rounds (projectile, charge, and fuze) and that it is a “small capacity” variant.
The “small capacity” designation suggests a more compact or lightweight container, suitable for units where mobility was at a premium: airborne troops, Alpine forces, or detachments operating in difficult terrain and under strict logistical limits. These cases allowed mortar crews to carry a discrete, self-contained ammunition load that could be quickly issued and expended in action.
The period manual plate reproduced here (Fig. 23) shows a similar case in use and highlights the Italian emphasis on packaging mortar ammunition as complete sets, simplifying handling and accounting from depot to front line.
Design & Construction
- Corrugated steel exterior for durability, rigidity, and ease of stacking.
- Latching metal clasps on the lid for secure closure during transport.
- Olive drab painted finish with white stenciled text identifying contents and capacity.
- Wear, scuffing, and surface rust consistent with mid–20th-century field use.
Internal Configuration (From Training Manual)
The illustrated manual image (Fig. 23) reveals the intended internal layout of the case:
- Three individual slots for 81 mm mortar bombs in the left half of the case.
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Right-side compartment holding:
- Two tin cases: one for extra propellant charges, one for cartridges.
- Three complete fuzes for the bombs.
The accompanying manual text (translated) describes the ammunition case as:
“Case for 81 mm mortar bombs: with iron reinforcement; contains 3 bombs, 2 metal cases (one for extra charges, one for cartridges), and 3 complete fuzes.”
Collector’s Notes
Mortar ammunition cases are far less common on the collector market than individual bombs or fuzes. Steel containers such as this were often heavily used, repurposed, or scrapped after the war, making intact examples with readable stenciling particularly desirable.
This case, with clearly legible markings and strong surviving finish, provides a compact and historically significant glimpse into World War II–era Italian ordnance logistics. It is preserved purely as an inert historical artifact; any original explosive contents have long since been removed.