Although I saw an identical or nearly identical mortar bed in an old book on arms, armor and artillery of British, French and German origin that I once had, there is yet another bed of much simpler construction on page 43 of Round Shot and Rammers. I believe that this form of bed was a field expedient or one which was crafted by the regiment's ordinance actificer, as produced in the colonies while on campaign. The simpler form is just a block of sturdy wood approximately 16" x 10" x 6" with two simple handles, and plate-type capsquares which hold the breech into a carved recess in the wood. A half-inch 45 deg. bevel is also found on this bed all the way around the top edge.
Regards,
Mikw and Tracy
