WW1 British Rifle Grenades - Top Markings

[Millsman]

As part of my research into WW1 British Rifle Grenades I looked at the marking on the top plates. Some are virtually plain, others are marked in great detail.

Here are some photos - details are in the file title.

No 3 - Mixture of plain and marked.



No 20 - Details - triangles and Vs




No 22

99% of No 22's seem to be un-marked. Not strictly a 'top mark' but interesting.




No 24 Mk I and II



No 35



No 39




It's interesting that the Chief Inspector at Woolwich seemed to demand more detailed markings for the Mills grenade, especially from the No 23 Mk III but the same standard was not applied to rifle grenades.

Hope this is of interest. If you have more - please add!

John

 

[Millsman]

Here's a couple that I left out as they are not my grenades but are relevant.

The top of a No 17 'Top Hat' rifle grenade.



The top plate of the No 4 showing the spring clip retaining the det.



Wonderful items.

John

 

[John Bee]

Hello,
Here somedug ups in poor condition. Manufacturer of the 1916 plug is probably W.S “oddsign” & S. The others are GTL dated 11/1916 and 1/1917.

J P

 

[timmymac]

interesting post. still amazed, as john touched on, at the variation of standards from one company/branch/division to another in the same field. youd think there would be a much more structured system of checks and balances so to speak. of course I'm talking about other countries as well, maybe more so. I guess there were other matters at hand at the time. thanks for original post John. fantastic photos by the way

 

[Millsman]

WW1 rifle grenades have two main themes Innovation and Cost reduction. Fascinating subject.

John

 

[roller63]

I found this pic of the top of a No.24 Mk1 that I saw for sale years ago. Pretty sure the brass hexagonal nut is not right but the marking is X-L-ALL 1916. Not something I have seen before or since.

 

[Millsman]

I agree with both statements. Never seen the hex nut plug or the X-L-ALL marking before. Thanks for posting. John

 

[TimG]

X.L. All Ltd.,
Hall Green, nr Birmingham.

Phone : Shirley 38.

War work - Shell fuzes, Carburettors, Aeroplane pressings, Bolts, Nuts, Universall joints, Hand and rifle grenades.

TimG

 

[IolarFirean556]

Hey @Millsman ! Great photos! Thank you for sharing them.

Do you know that the G.T.L. stamping stands for?

I have a No3 top with what appears to be little dots around the "nut" section, I'm guessing they're roll marks of some sort?

 

[Millsman]

Hey @Millsman ! Great photos! Thank you for sharing them.

Do you know that the G.T.L. stamping stands for?

I have a No3 top with what appears to be little dots around the "nut" section, I'm guessing they're roll marks of some sort?

.
GTL were Gestetner Limited