An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 29 RESTORING A PIECE OF HISTORY By Sgt RoBERt DElAnEy, oRDnAnCE BASE WoRKShoPS O ver the years many weapons of historic importance have passed through the oBW (ordnance Base Workshops) in the Curragh. A huge array of small arms from all eras have been de-activated and prepared for display by our armourers, while our carpenters have built and restored timber carriages for many significant artillery pieces. The 6-pounder gun from the Defence Forces' first tank, the Vickers Mk D, was restored and mounted by OBW arti- ficers for the Cavalry School, and a pair of 12-pounder costal defence guns – one of which was rumoured to have been the gun fired from the Helga during the 1916 Rising – were also restored. (One of them is on display in the National Museum's Soldiers and Chief's exhibition.) However, the most recent arrival into the workshops, a First World War 18-pounder field gun may, perhaps, be the most significant piece of artillery that the OBW has worked on. The Mk II 18-pounder, number 9168, was more than likely amongst the first batch of nine guns given by the British to the fledgling Free State army as the nation descended into civil war in 1922 and it almost certainly saw action during those dreadful times. It remained in service with the Artillery Corps and was an important part of the nation's meagre defences during the Emergency. The arrival of 25-pounder field guns in 1949 meant the days of the 18-pounders were numbered and they were earmarked to be scrapped a decade later. Consequently, in 1958 the Mark I and II 18-pounders were sold, together with other artillery pieces and machine guns, to Interarmco, an American arms trading company with a Cold War interest in untraceable weaponry. Luckily, gun number 9168 appears to have been resold to a collector not long after it arrived in the US and it was displayed outside a roadside restaurant in Virginia. Its con- nection with the DF was eventually recognised due to the FF stamp on the breech ring, and once its significance was confirmed by Lar Joye, the National Museum's military cura- tor, a line of communication was opened with its owner and eventually it was brought back to Ireland. When it arrived in OBW last August, the toll of years of neglect in the Virginian weather became apparent. Work began almost immediately with the removal of the shield and the steel wheels. In 1939 the 18-pounders had been mod- ernized with the Martin Parry conversion kit, which replaced the original timber wheels and primitive braking system with steel wheels, pneumatic tyres and an improved braking system. While these alterations prolonged the life of the guns and gave them a more modern appearance, number 9168 is to be restored to its original condi- tion when received by the Free State army in 1922. The timber wheels, with the correct axle gear and braking system, are to be sourced or manufactured in OBW, while it is hoped to restore the Martin Parry kit and display it on a dummy axle-tree alongside the refurbished gun. It quickly became apparent that weather damage had not reached all elements of the gun and OBW staff were amazed at how well internal components like threads, pins and bushings came apart without too much effort. Even more surprising was the fact that the original grease could still be seen on some parts. The firing pin has survived intact and a single weld on the breech is the only sign that the gun was decommissioned. While a huge amount of work remains, staff are already looking ahead to the final stages, which will see a refurbished 9168 painted (by hand, as au- thenticity is crucial) firstly in its original British Army green for commemorations in 2022, before being repainted in the grey that was used on Irish artillery at the time. Rear view showing clearly the Martin Parry conversion 18 Pdr on arriving into the workshops Part of the elevation system showing rust and corrosion externally with original grease visible inside Shield and road gear removed

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