Did anyone ever fire a Spigot in anger?
In Aberdeen we had them defending the city in case of invasion.
This metal 'spider' structure is all that remains of the spigot mortar post, which would have defended the Bridge of Dee, a major entry point to Aberdeen from the south. This is one of three that survive in Aberdeen today.
During 1941 the Army were issued with the Spigot Mortar, also called the Blacker Bombard, after its inventor Lieutenant-Colonel L.V.S. Blacker.
The mortar was issued with a solid mounting to improve accuracy. The metal spider structure acted as reinforcement and would have been covered by an external concrete pedestal. The mount was sunk below ground level, providing extra cover. The mortar sat on a protruding stainless steel pivot and plate. Often there would also be an adjoining l- shaped trench to provide additional defence.
It would have been manned by a crew of three and was a 29mm close range weapon that could fire a 20lb/9.1 kg anti tank projectile. Theoretically it could fire 15-20 rounds a minute, but due to the amount of smoke produced after the first it became known as the 'one shot and that's it' weapon.