M3 High Explosive 4.2" Chemical Mortar Round

The National WWII Museum, 2006.029.001

The 4.2" Chemical Mortar could fire a high explosive round over 4,000 yards downrange. The M3 round was packed with over eight pounds of high explosive, which gave it more destructive power than a 105mm howitzer shell. Unlike most mortar shells, which used tail fins to stabilize the round in flight, the M3 was stabilized by the mortar's rifled tube.