New grenades

[paul the grenade]

Would you believe it! i save my money up for beltring and a few days before the show i get offered 2 mint grenades that i just can't refuse.
one is a factory mint No3 Mk1 only missing its rod. everything else is there as good as the day they were made. The grenade body seems to have a black coating of some sort and the top and base piece are both stamped GTL (Gestetner Ltd London)
The other is a super rare british GP grenade. These were simple unmarked tin boxes. They were designed by Experimental Station 6 for the SOE/OSS in 1944 as a grenade/demolition charge and could be fitted with the 247 fuze or time pencils. this one has its original factory label marked "GENERAL PURPOSE GRENADE (ALLWAYS OR DEMOLITION) EXPERIMENTAL STATION" and what looks like the date at the bottom 13.4.43 which suggests this was a prototype sent to SOE by H.C & Sons for evaluation. (i hope so!!!):tinysmile_grin_t:
looks like i'll just be browsing at beltring on wednesday. i might just be able to afford a cup of tea.
cheers, paul.

 

[GTR003121]

Amazing finds Paul!! Congrats!

 

[Andysarmoury]

Great find Paul i do like the GP grenade and in great condition too.
Andy

 

[gothica7]

Great grenades Paul,

you could always sell me the No 3 at Beltring and you would then have a little more spare cash!!!

Andy

 

[roller63]

Nice items Paul ! I really like the provenance with the GP grenade, makes all the difference. Try not to buy all the British grenades at Beltring on Wed, I can't get there 'till Fri myself ! Tony.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Paul, awesome find that Exp. Grenade. Very cool. Congratulations! Have you received my little parcel?

 

[sgtlynn]

hey Paul, was that Rays GP grenade?? He had one with a tag like that. Maybe its come around again after he sold his stuff off.

 

[sgtlynn]

BTW, congratulations, as always you are making me jealous!!

 

[paul the grenade]

yes. its the same one.:tinysmile_fatgrin_t
cheers, paul.

 

[jhonni \]

Paul has found Eldorado!
Great!

 

[Bonnex]

GP Grenade

Paul,

I thought I would add a couple of historical facts. The GP Grenade was designed for Operation BRADDOCK (MOON was its earlier code name)and, although it is a matter of no consequence, it was designed in August 1942 at The Frythe (Station IX) rather than Aston House (ES6 or Station XII) but ES6 did make the prototypes. BRADDOCK was a scheme to drop Liberator Pistols, Charges and Incendiaries into Germany for use by disaffected German nationals etc., but only a minor operation involving Incendiaries took place. The GP Grenade was recognised as having merit as a demolition charge for 'standard' SOE issue so although BRADDOCK was effectively aborted the production did not go to waste. The example that you have is the first pattern made by Hudson Scott & Co. In July 1943 a version modified to overcome some defects and to facilitate production was designed and manufactured in large numbers but not by HS&Co. In service they would have been painted black.

[Reference HS7 Files in TNA/PRO]

The other is a super rare british GP grenade. These were simple unmarked tin boxes. They were designed by Experimental Station 6 for the SOE/OSS in 1944 as a grenade/demolition charge and could be fitted with the 247 fuze or time pencils. this one has its original factory label marked "GENERAL PURPOSE GRENADE (ALLWAYS OR DEMOLITION) EXPERIMENTAL STATION" and what looks like the date at the bottom 13.4.43 which suggests this was a prototype sent to SOE by H.C & Sons for evaluation. (i hope so!!!)[...]paul.

 

[paul the grenade]

thanks for the extra info Norman.
cheers, paul.