1970 Mills grenade base

[BMG50]

I found a few 1970s 1971 ROF (P) Patricroft base plugs, amongst the batch i found two 1970s bases with the familiar rounded knurling, one had a stamped logo the other had a screw centre which you don't see hardly, it seems they were still planning on using a cup plate or rod, not sure if this was intended for the Indian market. Anyone know the logo.

 

[TimG]

It's a very broad arrow, an inspection mark.

TimG

 

[BMG50]

Its about the only one i have seen.

 

[Millsman]

Here's some I have.

Left hand 4 are ex training range 1970. Top right ex range 1971.

Bottom Row right 1970 from a 1970 trials 36 (Mint).

No sign of any broad arrows or threaded holes.

 

[BMG50]

If you need pictures for your mills web site let me know, i have loads of 1970 and 1971 bases but not these two.

 

[Millsman]

Don't mix me up with Millsbomber!

 

[BMG50]

Sorry about that. If Millsbomber wants me to do a proper photo of the plugs not a problem. I suppose its something to look out for when looking for this type of base plug.

 

[Alan1]

Here is another late production No 36M Mk1, marked ROF(P) and dated 1972. Striker/det holder is also dated 1972, indicating a fresh production run, and marked W2. The body is Q3 and the lever is ROF(P).
As seems to be usual with these late versions, the filling plug is missing. Sorry about the spurious second pic of the base plate!
Alan1.

 

[BMG50]

Rare one to find a 1972 one.

 

[millsbomber]

Thanks for the offer of the pictures BMG i have all these examples, i cannot touch the website any more if i show the pc i use to update the internet possible total loss of site.
It is a shame AE53 is no longer with us he did the trials on all these late mills encase the L2 failed

 

[Millsman]

Rare one to find a 1972 one.

Here's my two 1972s.

One still sealed in the bag the other painted for operational use. I can't authenticate that paintwork but it looks good and the grenade came from a good source.

 

[Alan1]

Hi John,
Mny thnks pics of yr two late period No 36's. I have never seen any dated later than 1972, and I suspect that production run was the last. I have seen several in the poly bags, so probably a bunch got sold off as scrap, or whatever, none seem to have had a filling plug fitted.
As to finish, JSP 316, amended to 29/1/88, shows the body colour as "phosphated and varnished" and a golden yellow wide band. so yr eg looks to be right. No mention of red paint on plug, but this may be a sealing device or whatever to ensure waterproofing. Mine, incidentally, has traces of luting around the threads of the base plate, but, again, this may be pres rather than true waterproofing.
Unfortunately, much of this has to be conjecture, lacking, positive proof or documentary evidence.
Alan1

 

[Millsman]

Yes, '72 was the last production run. A small number that were bagged but never filled (that's why I was unsure about the paint on one of mine). Various stories exist as to why they were made when the L2 had been in production for years. All the last 72s were beautifully made and because they were stored so well most existing are mint.

I saw one for sale a few months ago for £390.00.

 

[BMG50]

The yellow banding is the correct colour, when we found base plugs and fresh 36 shrapnel in the 70s it had the yellow banding.

 

[Alan1]

And certainly the grenade continued a service store long after 1972. One specific use was as a necklace, electrically fired, for ambush purposes.