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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

WW1 Grenades both British and Enemy.


Lancashire Fusilier

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Tony,

I presume the marking is on the bottom of a German grenade. Assuming so, I'm afraid I have no information as to what the initials stand for. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of information as to most of the German grenade manufacturers.

JMB,

Attached are a couple of photos of the No.28 Mk.I in my collection.

Regards,

Michael.

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Thanks for the reply Michael, it's shame that the makers aren't documented. The initials are on the bottom of another egg with 1917 igniter I picked up but unfortunately not in as good a condition as the one pictured on the previous page.

A No. 28, that's another to look out for but no doubt a little pricey for me.

Tony

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I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those centre cast examples but in the meantime, here's another of mine, this time a German one.

Anyone know who G.J.B. was?

Tony

Here's another egg variant with M17 fuse and G.J.B. maker marked cap.

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That really is a nice example.

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Recent posts, continue to show us the superb examples of WW1 grenades members of this Forum have in their collections, thanks for sharing.

LF

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A few German sources state that the 7 second delay fuse was the very first version used for the stick grenade (not including impact fuses) and that 7 seconds was found to be too slow and was therefore reduced to 5 1/2 seconds. Unfortunately the only source I can locate at the moment that mentions this is a fragment of an article written by an Oberstleutnant Friedrich Augustin entitled "Die Pioniere und Ihre Kampfmittel" (rough translation is Pioniers and their weaponry).

This M1915 example below is the only "7 Sekunden" stamped stick grenade of which I am aware of so far. Everything is original including the paint and even the paper label has survived intact.

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I do like that M15.

I recently bought an obvious cleaned 'put together' relic which only has two retaining clips holding the lid in place, I thought there were usually four. Does that date the grenade?
Can anyone work out what the writing on the stick may be? It looks like it has EOU???? on it, any ideas?
Tony

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This is one of mine, heavily restored handle, it was falling apart.

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Can anyone please identify who the maker of this base plug is?

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Edwards Bros., Excelsior Works, Sampson Road North, Birmingham.

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Many thanks for you prompt reply.

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No problem, you are distracting me from constructing a couple of raised beds though.

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  • 4 months later...

A pile of empty Mills grenades and other equipment at the British Army's Ordnance Store at Calais, January 1917.

LF

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Hi LF

Many thanks for posting that photo. I can only assume that these were duds which were sent back for recycling and the guts extracted at the depot.

I've been in touch with the main researcher for the Rick Lander's Grenade book and he has confirmed that there were quite a few errors in the book. It is not definitive. There were research errors, editing and photo captioning errors. So regarding the previous discussion on grenades with white bands and training grenades, the only reliable source is LOCs and design specs from Trench Warfare.

You posted some photos of a good No 23 Mk II which had a whitish metal baseplug (malleable cast iron) by D&B - undated.

I have a similar one though the plug is in better condition. These were actually prototypes for the Hearn plug that D&B produced for the Trench Warfare department. The material was not what was required and no more were made. So we both have an example of a very rare baseplug.

John

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Hi LF

You posted some photos of a good No 23 Mk II which had a whitish metal baseplug (malleable cast iron) by D&B - undated.

I have a similar one though the plug is in better condition. These were actually prototypes for the Hearn plug that D&B produced for the Trench Warfare department. The material was not what was required and no more were made. So we both have an example of a very rare baseplug.

John

John,

Good to hear from you with those important updates, and I was certainly pleased to hear about the D & B prototype baseplug, which I have noted accordingly.

Regards,

LF

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Thought these might be of some intrest for your discushion.

A British 35 mk1 rifle grenade,German egg, krugal, and oyster ( discus granade )

Regards

NickA1785DB7-66F9-45C0-B03B-40493D4F2086_zps

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I've been after a decent No 3 for 10 years and have just added a Mk I and Mk II to my collection.

Here's a photo of the Mk I.

John

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A British 35 mk1 rifle grenade,German egg, krugal, and oyster ( discus granade )

Nick,

An excellent collection, I particularly liked the Oyster grenade.

Regards,

LF

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Yes John

Very nice no 3 in what looks to be mint condition.

And thank you LF. Think they where only produced for around about two years. Some very cheep ones at WWA ! I've seen them else where for a staggering £165-195 so if you ever consider buying one I would suggest their .

Regards

Nick

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I'm not sure when those prices date from but for a mint No 3 you will be looking at around £350 - £400 now.

John

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Nick

I normally sell good condition (no rust) discus grenades for £60 - £80 depending on condition. They are getting harder to find now though.

John

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