U.S. WWII 81mm Mortar Parts Set Hand Select:Yes It is a wooden handle

It is a wooden handle with a steel fitting that is inserted into the hollow of the cocking handle to give more leverage with jammed cartridges

The design was so successful that it was adopted by the Soviet Army and used extensively during the rest of the war

Original Item: In the 1930’s and 1940’s

without major damage or rot but leather will be dry & stiff as it is nearly 100 years of age

Still in use with jet pilots in the 1970's and 80's

U.S. WWII 81mm Mortar Parts Set Hand Select:Yes It is a wooden handleOriginal Item: The M1 81mm mortar was the largest weapon in the arsenal of the U. S. WWII infantry battalion. It provided the battalion commander with a powerful and flexible indirect fire capability. Sometimes called "infantry artillery," or "hip pocket artillery," mortars were capable of quickly laying down heavy barrages. These could stop enemy attacks under the worst conditions. Able to fire at high angles, mortars could fire at targets in