Aasen mortar

The Aasen mortar (Mortier Aasen) was a 3.5-inch (88.9-mm) gun-mortar (or bomb thrower under the classification of the time). The Aasen was invented in France in 1915 by Nils Aasen, a Norwegian arms designer. It was adopted by the Russian Empire in 1915-1916, and was used during the First World War.[1][2]

Aasen mortar
TypeGun-mortar
Place of originFrance
Service history
Used byRussian Empire
WarsFirst World War
Production history
DesignerNils Aasen
Designed1915
Specifications
Mass54.2 lb (24.6 kg)
References

The barrel of the mortar was steel. Aasen mortar was a breech loading weapon so a shell was loaded separately and the bolt action discharging a blank rifle round connected to a barrel. This device was a modified form of the obsolete Gras rifle, which was transferred to Russia by France in substantial numbers. The hoisting mechanism was made of two slats, attached to the rear of the barrel, and rod folding rack. The weight of the mortar in firing mode was approximately 1.5 pood (54.2 lbs).[3]


Comparison of Russian Front mortars (1915—1917)
Mortar weight Calibre in mm Total weight of shell Explosive shell Muzzle velocity in meters/second Rate of fire, rounds/minute Maximum range (meters)
G.R. 9 cm mortar91bomb 3,30,71004-5500
Aasen88.9grenade 1,20,4——400
20mm20grenade 2,450,1761——
Lihonin mortar48bomb 3,00,3416,8—500

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aasen mortar.
  1. "Nils Waltersen Aasen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  2. "Nils Waltersen Aasen's Life". weebly.com. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  3. "Mortier Assen 1916". TIR and Collection Regulatory Weapons. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
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