This gun has been moldering away at the Maryborough Army depot since it was allocated to the 47th Btn in 1920/21. Recently the local colonial and military museum is looking at acquiring it from the Australian Army and restoring it (after a bit of prompting by one of my colleagues in the historical gun survey group).
The gun is in fairly dreadul condition but may be restorable. It has markings on the breech which I haven't seen before - anyone got an opinion on the meaning of these (attached)?
The "ABR" on the top of the breech may be "Abrusten" (should be an umlaut over the u) - disarmed. Perhaps the gun was used in training. The breech actuating lever hole has been neatly plugged off rather than just a hole as is the case for guns which were captured without a breech block.
Regards,
Charlie
-- Edited by CharlieC on Thursday 2nd of December 2010 03:39:46 AM