Expert: John - 5/4/2004

Question
Hi,I have just found something interesting in back of a gas station that i work at. it seem to be a mortar its about 14 1/2 inches long. light blue in color the base is 3 1/2 inces wide and is treaded in the center were there appers to be a large 12 gage shotgun shell base, this mortar is very heavy it weighs about 18-20 pounds.and on the side near the base it say's KVS-4-3-58-90mm-tp-t-m353 and on the bottom, D, with a little heart.
Could u tell me anything about this? Thanks

Answer
Hmm... I'm not an expert on ordnance, but I suspect that what you have is an empty shell casing from a 76mm gun.  If Navy procedure carries over to the other services, which I suspect it does, the blue color means that the object is inert, with no explosive, fuel, or propellant.

For more info, I would contact your nearest National Guard Armory.  They would have a lot more detailed information for you.

Hope this helps!

John