New Mills No 23

[Millsman]

Many thanks to Tom and Norman for their posts.

My questions now are :-

This is the only 23 plug I've seen with raised rather than 'stamped' lettering. Did anyone else produce a plug like this?

As all other 23 plugs I've seen / owned have 'stamped' letters (there are none on Dave's site) is this plug unique?

Two for Tom,

This plug does look to have stood the test of time. Maybe D&B were right to use this mix, but it surely must have been more expensive that CI?

Did Brown & Green make all the variously named 23 I & II plugs? I always thought that places like Falkirk Ironworks would have done their own.

John

[Snufkin]

Ok thanks . .i was going by the reference to the quality of the thread on the plugs.Cheers.Darrol.

Darrol,

Cast iron was increasingly trialled (and deployed - c.f. shell fuzes) as expertise grew in producing parts previously made in brass. The comment in the letter affirms the machinable qualities of brass, as used in other grenade components such as centre pieces and filler screws... and base plugs. Interestingly in 1917, the economy of materials program resulted in cast iron centre pieces ordered for trial, although the difficulty of manufacture suggests the use of CI was shelved for such intricate parts.


John,

Dobson & Barlow are the only manufacturer, of which I'm aware, that used the embossed markings - seems to have been a trade feature of the company. I've seen several such examples of D&B 23II plugs - see attached image. Don't recollect if I've seen a D&B 23III.

I can't tell what material your plug is made of, but I doubt if it is anything other than a grey or spheroidal graphite cast iron. I think it has just been fortunate in that it's been hidden away and not subject to maltreatment over the years.

As I noted at the end of Post #15, "other contractors produced the Hearn design plug..." although B&G also produced quantities for other companies.





Tom.

[Millsman]

Thanks for the photo Tom. Perhaps this type of plug only went into production as the Mk II and III, hence there being other examples of those around. Yes, the plug has had a lucky 'life'. The grenade came from a man in Dover whose father had run and antique shop in the town from the 50's - 90's, so it's most likely he aquired it via the shop. I was lucky to be able to buy it.

John


P.S. I'll re-photograph the plug for Dave's website.

[millsbomber]

Darrol,

Cast iron was increasingly trialled (and deployed - c.f. shell fuzes) as expertise grew in producing parts previously made in brass. The comment in the letter affirms the machinable qualities of brass, as used in other grenade components such as centre pieces and filler screws... and base plugs. Interestingly in 1917, the economy of materials program resulted in cast iron centre pieces ordered for trial, although the difficulty of manufacture suggests the use of CI was shelved for such intricate parts.


John,

Dobson & Barlow are the only manufacturer, of which I'm aware, that used the embossed markings - seems to have been a trade feature of the company. I've seen several such examples of D&B 23II plugs - see attached image. Don't recollect if I've seen a D&B 23III.

I can't tell what material your plug is made of, but I doubt if it is anything other than a grey or spheroidal graphite cast iron. I think it has just been fortunate in that it's been hidden away and not subject to maltreatment over the years.

As I noted at the end of Post #15, "other contractors produced the Hearn design plug..." although B&G also produced quantities for other companies.





Tom.

Just acquired this little baby and wanted to add it to the thread,,,,,, Dave

HPIM7774.jpg

[Millsman]

Nice one Dave. Between us we have Mks I II and III covered.

John

[millsbomber]

Well between every one on BOCN we have the game set and match,,,,,,,,, Dave