Noyes16 Posted 12 November , 2013 Share Posted 12 November , 2013 Dear All, I'm looking to purchase a nice and not too expensive No15 grenade. At the moment there seem to be a lot for sale from Poland. Does anyone know if these are likely to be genuine British No15's or some Russian copy? If the former, why would they be in Poland? All the ones I've seen look like they've been dug up so I believe they're genuine grenades but are they genuine WWI British examples? Thanks, Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon127 Posted 12 November , 2013 Share Posted 12 November , 2013 Robin, Do you have any photos of the ball grenades you've seen? I too have seen ball grenades coming out of Poland and Latvia and assumed that they were manufactured for issue to the Russians on the Eastern Front. Certainly none that I've seen struck me as being fakes but I'd be interested to see some examples of the ones you've come across. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noyes16 Posted 13 November , 2013 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2013 I've seen several on Specialist Auctions and a couple on ebay all claiming to be British N015's. There's one on ebay for sale now. Not sure if I'd be allowed to copy the pictures though. Just curious as to whether they are actually British. Would hate to buy one and then be told it's a dodgy Russian copy. Sadly, even half decent No15's seem to be selling for over £100 on UK militaria websites whereas the Polish ones are going for about £40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calibre792x57.y Posted 13 November , 2013 Share Posted 13 November , 2013 After the failure of the Number 15 grenade at Loos in September 1915 it's use was restricted to catapults on the Western Front and large quantities of them were sent to Russia so it is possible that the items under discussion are British. If someone posts a picture I will be wiser! - SW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 13 November , 2013 Share Posted 13 November , 2013 The relic one on ebay looks ok to me but it is in relic condition. The only one I have is a presentation piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noyes16 Posted 13 November , 2013 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2013 I have now counted seven Polish No15's for sale on various UK website's. If Britain did send it's remaining supply over to Russia after their disastrous use at Loos maybe they are genuine UK examples. Maybe worth a punt. Much better examples on the Specialist Auction website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calibre792x57.y Posted 15 November , 2013 Share Posted 15 November , 2013 I have looked at the grenades shown on the Specialist site. One has a cheese headed screw in the plug which is correct. The other appears to be an ordinary dome headed screw. I have had several No. 15s and I would say these grenades are genuine although not in very good order. The price at the moment is reasonable for their condition. - SW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 16 November , 2013 Share Posted 16 November , 2013 What is the auction site plse TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 16 November , 2013 Share Posted 16 November , 2013 What is the auction site plse TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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