1971-dated Mills det tins?

[batonroundcollector]

I have just acquired some marked tins with the following dates - 1971 and 1970 (on base) + 10/71 fill date, and 1965 (on base) + 8/71 fill date; as the Mills was no longer in use by the British Army by then, could these be for export (where - for Commonwealth countries that continue to use Mills etc??), or perhaps for the war reserve stock Mills?

 

[spotter]

From what i have read in the past on site ,im sure someone will correct me if im wrong the grenades were still being made by Qualcast of derby until 1972 and then the L2 series was phased in as a replacement

 

[batonroundcollector]

those were for the war reserve stock right? didn't know whether dets were actually produced for them (or filler screws - I've never seen one)...

if for war reserve, what would be the 'shelf life' of the dets? I guess the bagged Mills bodies would be ok for many years but the dets might deteriorate over time?

 

[BMG50]

The grenade shrapnel (Qualcast ROF mills) that we found as kids in the 70s were last used on UK military ranges, about 74-75, 76 at the latest. The shrapnel we found was quite new.

 

[batonroundcollector]

interesting...

btw when was the war reserve stock liquidated?

 

[Millsman]

A large batch came on the market about 4 -5 years ago. Not sure when they actually left government stores but it would be around that time.

John

 

[batonroundcollector]

were they stored with the (unfilled) grens themselves?

never seen any tins this late manufacture before so was pleased to find them.

btw, I have a few of these for sale/trade if anyone wants them.

 

[Millsman]

Pass on that. Don't know.

John