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2" para illlum

tigbrand

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
i have a ww2 para illum round with a cap without a P stamping, the cap is marked in small stamped nos 12/41 and bears the S&W logo, and was originally tinned. Heres anothView attachment 128365er from Grenademan 2005 post with the same type. Is this correct? were early bombs marked so? If not whats the cap for? any help appreciated,Tig.:tinysmile_fatgrin_t
 
i have early rounds that were stamped or marked this way on the cap, the embossing of the P and the other signal embossed markings on the cap came later. Early star, multi and para rounds had parkerized bodies with black writing plain caps and then tinned and black bodies with white or yellow markings with embossed caps for night identification. Early signal multi star and para rounds had ignition problems to start with as jungle war time use mentioned in dispatches, mentions the failure of these round in use and were recalled and the MK2 rounds introduced along with modified round.
 
Thanks for confirming that, all my 2" mortar handbooks show the P type cap. The early rounds with black writing are hard to find,just like caps,but you know that already! Cheers,Tig
 
Here another example of para ill without P stamping.
From 1944.
The war marks do not correspond with the markings after war ?
Regards.
Joby

DSC_0012.jpgDSC_0014.jpg
 
What you have is the early version phosphate body black writing. These never had embossed caps just plain. The black painted body yellow writing usual steel No 4 tail 1943 onwards had a embossed P. Seems there is a cross over point When the two types were made at the same time.
 
DWS notes 1945, apparently the Mk 1 signal and para illum had ignition problems also noted in documents at Kew, about blinds used in jungle warfare, (star and illum were very useful in this part of the world). All Mk 1 bombs were rectified with an improved method of sealing the 4 ignition holes in the tail and re-marked R. At the same time the Mk 2 signal and illum rounds were introduced, with 2 holes of the same size as the Mk 1 or the newer version or two smaller holes on the new Mk 2. The early large holes were covered with very thin tin discs that were sealed with red sealant, the Mk 2 smaller holes were covered with small plastic celluloid discs or plugs. At the same time of the tail modifications the caps were better marked with embodied symbols in the nose caps, that's why you see early signal and illum rounds with later embossed caps than the flat plain one's as there was a modification program in process when the Mk 2 rounds were first made.
 
From left to right MK2, early Mk2, Mk 1 tails. Note the clear plastic celluloid disc, similar material as a ping pong ball when it's ignited but perfect as a seal against moisture.
 

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