35mm Rifle Grenade

[oktato]

Hi,

Does anyone have information about the 35mm rifle grenade(s) on the right hand side of this photo?

The cases don't have the high pressure powder cup and the projectile seems to have it's own primer??

I'm assuming the purple paint means experimental?



Any information appreciated!

Thanks,

Gary

 

[EOD]

Is the case length 46mm?

 

[oktato]

Hmmm, the 2 cartridges are slightly different in the shape of the shoulder.

This photo shows them next to a standard 40 x 46mm M406 grenade.

The height of the shoulder is more or less the same as the length of the case on the M406.

But the width of the rim is 1 or 2mm wider than that of the M406.

 

[EOD]

Was that 35mm located in the UK or the US?

Could you tell us the exact case lenght?

 

[SG500]

They're Experimental British.
The cases are constructed in 2 different ways, if you look closely at one of them you will see it has a seam up the side.
Apparently it used to have a cap fitted but this got broken and lost before I ever got hold of it.
That's all I know about them. I sold them a couple of years ago, glad they've ended up in a good home :tinysmile_grin_t:
Dave.

 

[EOD]

Dave, pleas help me. I can't figure the seam and have no clue as for where a cap could have been there (or do you mean the projectile tip?).

 

[SG500]

Dave, pleas help me. I can't figure the seam and have no clue as for where a cap could have been there (or do you mean the projectile tip?).

Hi, yes can't see the the seam in the photos here, perhaps oktato could take some close up photos. I know these rounds as they used to be mine that's how I know about the seam which goes vertically up the side of one of the cases. As for the cap, apparently it was a plastic cap that fitted over the top of the projectile, it broke when it got knocked off the guys desk who owned it before me. I have no idea on how it would have been fixed on.
Dave.

 

[oktato]

Hi Dave,
This is a small collecting world! Thanks for confirming that they are British experimental.
I bought the grenades on Specialist Auctions about 2 years ago.
The attached photo's show the side seam that you described.
I can understand that there used to be a plastic cap on the projectile - like the cover on an M781 Practice Grenade.
It certainly seems to be different design concept from the standard 40mm High-Low system because there is no high pressure cup in the case.
The bit that intrigues me is the primer cap in the base of the projectile.
I've added photo's of the top of the projectile which has a threaded centre tube and the primer in the base.
Cheers,
Gary

 

[SG500]

Hi Dave,
This is a small collecting world! Thanks for confirming that they are British experimental.
I bought the grenades on Specialist Auctions about 2 years ago.

Yes when I sold them to Mick the complete one was crimped in, he pulled it (it was empty). You will notice that the marks left by the stab crimps are on the part you are thinking is the top. When I had it the purple painted part was outside the case as would be the norm and the primer part was on top, perhaps a crude impact detonation method? I really don't know about this one and never managed to find out any more information.
Dave.

 

[oktato]

Aha!
That makes sense.
Fortunately, he did a good job of removing the projectile without stretching the case neck, so it's a tight fit that way round.
Thanks again for the ID.
Gary

 

[EOD]

Thanks all!
So maybe a final word on the case length?

 

[oktato]

Very approximate: 56mm

 

[EOD]

Oktato any chance for measuring it?

 

[oktato]

Hi EOD,
Within the limits of a household ruler, it is 35 x 56mm.
When I said very approximate, I mean I don't have anything more precise than a normal ruler.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Gary

 

[EOD]

Oktato, thanks, so I'll file it as 56mm length.