General Facts
- TYPE
Mortar - ORIGIN
United States - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1940 - 1942 - DESIGNER
? - PRODUCTION
1942 - ? - PRODUCERS United States - Watervliet arsenal
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
High rate of fire
Better range and accuracy than M2
Heavier than M2
Introduction
The M19 is a 60mm light mortar of US origin. It was designed to replace the older M2 mortar in US service. Development took place in the early years of World War 2 and it was introduced in 1942.
Layout
The M19 is a conventional muzzle loaded, drop fired, smoothbore mortar. It has a longer and heavier barrel than the M2. The M19 is fitted with a bipod and square baseplate. The M19 can also be fitted M1 baseplate, with elevation being done manually.
Firepower
The M19 fires the same 60mm ammunition as the older M2 mortar. The maximum range is 1.8 km. The maximum rate of fire 30 rounds per minute with 18 rounds per minute being normal and 8 rounds per minute in sustained fire.
Mobility
The M19 is easy to carry by a single person. It is slightly heavier than the M2 mortar it was designed to replace.
Users
The primary user of the M19 were the US armed forces. Since the introduction of the M224 the M19 has been put in reserve. The M19 was widely exported to Asia, South America and some Western allies. The M19 is still in use with many nations.
M19
The M19 is a conventional smoothbore 60mm light mortar. It is muzzle loaded and drop fired. Normally it is used with the M5 baseplate and associated bipod, but an M1 baseplate can be fitted with elevation being done manually.
| Type | Mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | ? |
| Ordnance | 60mm smoothbore mortar, 0.819 m tube |
| Elevation | +40 to +85° |
| Traverse | 7° left and right |
| Rate of fire | 30 rpm (max), 18 rpm (4 minutes), 8 rpm (continuous) |
|---|---|
| Range | 1.8 km |
| Carriage | None |
| Weight | 21.03 kg |
| Length | ? |
| Width | ? |
|---|---|
| Height | ? |
| Towing vehicle | - |
| Speed | - |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | ? |
| Ordnance | 60mm smoothbore mortar, 0.819 m tube |
| Elevation | 0 to +85° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 30 rpm (max), 18 rpm (4 minutes), 8 rpm (continuous) |
|---|---|
| Range | 1.8 km |
| Carriage | None |
| Weight | 9.3 kg |
| Length | ? |
| Width | ? |
|---|---|
| Height | ? |
| Towing vehicle | - |
| Speed | - |
| Remarks | - |
60mm M224
The M224 is a heavier but much more capable weapon that replaced the M19 in US service.