Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

WW1 Grenades both British and Enemy.


Lancashire Fusilier

Recommended Posts

So how are they disrupted, are they complete, twisted, presumably the threads are stripped. I can't imagine a relatively thin piece of brass escaping unscathed. There are plenty in the field opposite white city but they have been complete with screw threads and undamaged.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GB.- I concur over the photo in Landers book. In the example shown it is much more likely that the detonator functioned but the train then failed and the main charge did not detonate, most often due to damp penetrating the interior - always a problem with Mills given poor storage conditions.. The most usual charge was ammonal which is hygroscopic and desensitises as its water content increases. As for the remainder of your post I rather think we must assume a considerable degree of professional expertise on the part of the author of the critique as he was writing it on behalf of the Munitions Design Committee. - SW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A drawing showing a pitched battle between South Africa and German troops, in which, one of the South African soldiers is throwing what looks like a German stick grenade, back at the Germans.

LF

post-63666-0-02681800-1384445982_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Further to our discussions surrounding the respective blast/killing power of stick grenades and Mills bombs, I though these links might be of interest.

From the the Australian War Memorial, these images show German stick grenades (presumably M1917s given the date of the photos) at the point of detonation. Fragmentation or no, I wouldn't want to be anywhere nearby!

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E05274/

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E05275/

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E05276/

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E05277/

S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Here is another Mills Grenade from my Collection, a 1917 No.36 Mk.I, which at some point in time, has been painted all over white to indicate it being a

' Practice ' grenade.

The base plug is marked ' No.36 MI ' is date marked ' 10 17 ' for October 1917, and has the maker's mark of ' M.F '

The grenade is empty, and all the parts are removable.

LF

post-63666-0-07794100-1385829393_thumb.j

post-63666-0-65444300-1385829413_thumb.j

post-63666-0-15052700-1385829433_thumb.j

post-63666-0-67814500-1385829450_thumb.j

post-63666-0-89316700-1385829475_thumb.j

post-63666-0-18778100-1385829492_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

On the subject of No 36's anyone know which maker marked their bodies JP and S? Did they make WW1 grenades or just WW2? Also did the maker of the body always supply the plug or did different makers marry them up?

Thanks

TT

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the subject of No 36's anyone know which maker marked their bodies JP and S? Did they make WW1 grenades or just WW2? Also did the maker of the body always supply the plug or did different makers marry them up?

TT

TT,

There is some uncertainty as to that particular set of marks, as there were certainly WW1 dated No.36 Mills Grenade bodies made by maker ' JP and S ' ( 2 examples 1917 and 1918 attached ), these are attributed to either Josiah Parkes and Sons, or Joseph Parks and Sons or Joseph Parkes and Sons, all shown as being from Willenhall, Staff.

There were also base plugs for both the Mills No. 23 and No. 36 with the Maker Mark of ' JP and S ', these are attributed to Joseph Parkes and Sons. Ltd. again from Willenhall, Staffs.

Perhaps these are all just variations of the same name, or family members ( Josiah and Joseph ) all making parts for the Mills Grenades in Willenhall.

Regards,

LF

post-63666-0-41776700-1386787675_thumb.j

post-63666-0-77300800-1386787694_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmmm....

The one I am interested in has JP & S in one segment. as follows

JP

&

S

albeit centered. No date on body but plug from different manufacturer is dated 10/17.

Is the body likley to be WW2?

TT

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmmm....

The one I am interested in has JP & S in one segment. as follows

JP

&

S

albeit centered. No date on body but plug from different manufacturer is dated 10/17.

Is the body likley to be WW2?

TT

TT,

That is the WW2 period stamping on a No.36 Mills Grenade body attributed to Josiah Parkes and Sons of Willenhall ( photo attached ).

Not every manufacturer of the grenade body made the base plugs, and not every maker of base plugs made grenade bodies, so you can often see grenade plugs and bodies that do not match to the same maker.

Regards,

LF

post-63666-0-01931500-1386793506_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LF,

Many thanks for your help

TT

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A drawing showing a pitched battle between South Africa and German troops, in which, one of the South African soldiers is throwing what looks like a German stick grenade, back at the Germans.

LF

comes from the war illustrated? I have that copy ha ha. I noted that oddity as well

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Trained grenadiers were given instruction on the use of enemy grenades so they could utilise any which came to hand to eke out their own supplies. -SW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had another dig around the workshop and re-discovered this one. No34 Mk3

Mick

post-11859-0-08691500-1387204555_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...