mills no.?

[2pounder]

I know very little about grenades but was given this body with the tube in by someone who knows I'm into militaria. I thought its a no.36 when I saw it but looking in a book its not a 36 wrong shape so looked here and eslewhere and decided its a no.5 or early no.23 am I correct? as it looks fatter at the bottom. No markings just the N cast in where the lever would be. Seeing what JC has them priced at, if it is a 5 or 23 would it be worth trying to find plug, lever etc to complete it? or are the bits rare and expensive? Advice please.
2pr

 

[gothica7]

Hi bud,
i would say its a 23, however i cannot tell what the filler screw is made from looking at your picture. If its aluminium then i suspect its a no 5. Centre tubes for both marks were often brass although no 5s were usually aluminium.
Certainly worth fitting it out with lever. base plug and ringpull. Plenty on No 5 plugs on Specialist, i hope to have 23/1 plugs soon but cant say when but do have plenty of ringpulls n pins.

Andy

 

[2pounder]

mills no.

Thanks for the info and suggestion to complete it. Not sure if the filling plug is aluminium or zinc alloy, its grey slightly powdery looking and where its been attempted to undo the metal has burred up. Having never seen a zinc one nor having either type to compare its a bit tricky but if I had to guess one way or the other I'd say aluminium.
2pr

 

[gothica7]

Hi again 2pr,

would not be a zinc filler for WW1, did not use the stuff for fillers so i reccon its aluminium and ime afraid you wont be able to get it out intact. People do try with ally fillers but the oxidisation process plus the pettman cement seems to weld them in. The only way to get it out complete would be to smash the gren which would be a terrible thing to do. I reccon its a no 5. Best kit it out, ime sure it will look good.

Andy

 

[spotter]

hello folks ref pettman cement in Gothica7 post,i have found wd40 penetrating oil is good for softening/loosening it

 

[Gspragge]

If the insides are out -

Why worry about the filler screw and possibly spoil it ? It must be empty ~

 

[2pounder]

mills no.

Thanks again for info, had a look at a no36 base plug and my filler is aluminium. Yes its definitely empty! wouldn't be near it if I couldn't see inside. Didn't mention it has traces of red paint around lugs down to first horizontal groove then a band of whitish traces down to the next groove.
2pr

 

[pointblank0]

If the filler plug, in your opinion, is spoiling the look and you want to replace it, drill a small hole throught the plug and screw in a screw extractor. Put the grenade in a vice and heat it with a propane torch then unscrew it. Works a treat with damage only to the filler plug. They cost about 5 for a replacement

 

[paul the grenade]

hAVE A LOOK AT DUGUP.CO.UK
http://www.dugup.co.uk/oridinance/ordinance_1.htm
HE HAS SOME REPRO LEVERS, SPRINGS , STRIKERS, PINS,TO FINISH OF YOUR GRENADE FOR 15.
CHEERS, PAUL.