Mills 36 Grenade ID

[BMG50]

Found this miss fired Mills grenade, had the remains of the bottom half of the centre tube very corroded with the main spring in place and no filler plug . Put it through electrolysis to clean it up, now rust free. I noticed that the filler plug is made of brass but zinc plating remains on the inside of the plug.
The other noticeable thing was there is a line in the casting that separates the bottom segments from the bottom of the grenade. I did try to find if this was characteristic of a certain make or if it was a WW1 36 mills on the Mills grenade site. Anyone know?

 

[BMG50]

Anyone?

 

[gothica7]

I think not bud, I dont think we can identify any maker from your gren as I dont see how,,

 

[BMG50]

If you look at the bottom of the grenade between the bottom row of segments and the base you will see a line all the way round. I have looked at other mills and they dont have this.
The first picture is a Lucy made mills and is different to the second picture a Kenrick Mills. The Kenrick mills is about standard for most mills types. The last picture shows the line around the base of the segments, so must be a characteristic of a certain manufacture plus the fitting of a brass filler plug.
It may belong to a AF made grenade, manufacture unknown these bases are made in brass 44 dated and marked AF, quite a few were found in the area, could be a misfired one, not sure if this grenade also had a brass filler plug.

 

[gothica7]

If you look at the bottom of the grenade between the bottom row of segments and the base you will see a line all the way round. I have looked at other mills and they dont have this.
The first picture is a Lucy made mills and is different to the second picture a Kenrick Mills. The Kenrick mills is about standard for most mills types. The last picture shows the line around the base of the segments, so must be a characteristic of a certain manufacture plus the fitting of a brass filler plug.
It may belong to a AF made grenade, manufacture unknown these bases are made in brass 44 dated and marked AF, quite a few were found in the area, could be a misfired one, not sure if this grenade also had a brass filler plug.

I think you are clutching at straws mate. I dont think there is any way at all to tell who made the grenade as its too corroded to tell who made it. All you can do is make an educated guess and thats going to be the best you can do.

 

[BMG50]

Its not that corroded to identify the distinct line i am referring to.

 

[Andysarmoury]

could it be a Israeli one ?

 

[BMG50]

Here is a highlighted picture in red of the line in question. Certainly not israeli.

 

[roller63]

Here is a highlighted picture in red of the line in question. Certainly not israeli.

I have just had a look and I do have one similar in the collection. It doesn't have any markings on it, and been chromed, and made into a lighter at some stage, so not much help I'm afraid.

 

[BMG50]

Hi Tony i looked on the mills site but saw one but unknown. This feature does stand out, i thought the brass plug would give a clue and the base plug may have been brass as well like the unknown AF bases.

 

[millsbomber]

Hi Tony i looked on the mills site but saw one but unknown. This feature does stand out, i thought the brass plug would give a clue and the base plug may have been brass as well like the unknown AF bases.

can you post a link to the picture and i will have a better look for you

 

[BMG50]

Its about the nearest match, theres a line under the bottom segment where the lever is. http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/images/No36 M Mk1 grenades/No36M EF2.JPG

 

[Snufkin]

Both the blown casing and the image ftom Dave's website are of South African manufacture.

 

[BMG50]

Having a brass filler plug i wondered if the brass AF marked base plugs unnamed manufacture are for this grenade

 

[Millsman]

I wondered how the brass filler screw fitted in with South African manufacture. Anyone know when they started making the Mills 36?