Exquisite Sectioned Grenade

[siegfreid]

Mills No 5 . Period WW1 sectioned . Probably a quality control example rather than instructional . Cut to the micron accuracy even showing the high points of the threads for the filler screw . No computer cutting in those days . Finished by a craftsman with a file & a stone . Awesome .

 

[timmymac]

WOW. Exquisite indeed

 

[pzgr40]

Very exquisite

 

[Millsman]

What about the centre piece? Odd one?

John

 

[Snufkin]

What about the centre piece? Odd one?

John

John,

The centre piece is a composite lead-antimony and brass construction, patented by a Mr Cuyler Findlay in December 1915, as one solution to easing the production of Mills centre pieces - machining the early aluminium blank castings was problematic.

Some other photos of this very centre piece (it's actually a very well travelled centre piece...) show the construction of the lead alloy cast directly around the brass striker and detonator sleeves. Also attached is the relevant page from the patent - see Figure 3.



Tom.

 

[Millsman]

Thanks Tom.

I normally associate that style of centre piece with the 23Mk III or the early 36's. I've not personally found one in a No 5. Although I have one in my collection of centre pieces I've never seen one with the two additional flanges either side of the striker shaft. I assume production figures were fairly small.

You learn something everyday!

John

 

[Darrol]

I had a bash at cutting a no36 last year . Still needs completing but the cuts are done

 

[Millsman]

There are some very nice sectioned Mills around an some horrors too. A few years ago Mike sold me this one which is very fine and I assume to be either a factory demo or a top class museum display item. It is a centre cast with all the early features. The quality is much higher than the standard D&B or Radnal Service issue cutaway. Like's Mike's the style of cutaway is different to. Mine being a 25% segment removed.

Like Mike's it is not just cut but polished superbly.



John

 

[brummbar]

John,

The centre piece is a composite lead-antimony and brass construction, patented by a Mr Cuyler Findlay in December 1915, as one solution to easing the production of Mills centre pieces - machining the early aluminium blank castings was problematic.

Some other photos of this very centre piece (it's actually a very well travelled centre piece...) show the construction of the lead alloy cast directly around the brass striker and detonator sleeves. Also attached is the relevant page from the patent - see Figure 3.



Tom.

British "Mills Bomb" (3 of 3) - Inert-Ord.Net

 

[brummbar]

British "Mills Bomb" (3 of 3) - Inert-Ord.Net

Not lead but zinc