Another in todays post

[dano1917]

When I sold off most of my collection a year or so back, the best part is that I need 'em all. So finding something that I need is not a real tall order. This French WW1 V.B. rifle grenade also came in todays post. Not rare but I need it and love it just the same...Dano

 

[Millsman]

Nice one Dano. Has it got the plug underneath as well?

John

 

[dano1917]

No John, the underneath plug was missing, but wait, I happened to have one in my junque box. I know the VB is one of the more common grenades, but since I had sold off the bulk of my collection some time back, it is like starting over. The best part is that there is generally stuff available that I need. I'll not start over again (as in I shall never sell out again), but things have gotten exciting again. Although sometimes while thinking of the things I once had, I then proceed to get drunk. I feel like i've started over anew and things are exciting. Oh man do I wish I could get the prices I got stuff for on ebay in the late ninetys and early 00's. I got an m1917 German rifle grenade for 20.00 on ebay back then and 20.00 1917 eggs were not all that uncommon. You think those days will last forever but times change, oh boy do they change! I'm having a lot of fun with it and to me that is where it is at. This was not unlike the ramblings of a madman! Cheers...Dano

 

[Dave83]

Realy nice Dano

Realy nice Dano

Great collection my friend !
I am still trying to get on german M1917 Rifel grenade but it seems there are becoming much rarer as some years ago !!
This french is in realy good conditions and a raly nice display item !!

wbr David

 

[dano1917]

Realy nice Dano

Great collection my friend !
I am still trying to get on german M1917 Rifel grenade but it seems there are becoming much rarer as some years ago !!
This french is in realy good conditions and a raly nice display item !!

wbr David

David, check your PM in regard to m1917 German rifle grenade...Dano

 

[Millsman]

Hi Dano. VB's make great cutaways too. Here's one of mine with an 8mm Lebel in place.

John

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Hi Dano. VB's make great cutaways too. Here's one of mine with an 8mm Lebel in place.

John

Wow, this is really nice, did you make it yourself? this really shows how one of these works, great item. Thanks for showing.

Regards, Steve

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Nice Dano. Where did they come from, overseas? Is the neck threaded in the MkI, lead plug still there?

Steve

 

[dano1917]

Nice Dano. Where did they come from, overseas? Is the neck threaded in the MkI, lead plug still there?

Steve

No Steve, The holes are there but have never been threaded, I think it to be an unfinished or lunchbox MK1...Dano

 

[Kilroy was Here]

No Steve, The holes are there but have never been threaded, I think it to be an unfinished or lunchbox MK1...Dano

Hi, yes maybe, could also be a practice body. I heard they used regular bodies like this that had flaws?

Steve

 

[dano1917]

Yes Steve, I would guess that is another possibility, but the practice bodies were painted blue as a rule, And the dummies, well they were a whole other ballgame. The only flaw I see is a little extra casting flash on the base which could have been easily corrected....Dano

 

[Kilroy was Here]

I meant as just a throwing practice grenade. I do not think the actual practice grenades were not blue in WWI. I know they were blue in WW2, and I think red in the late 20's- 1930's.

Maybe they could have rejected bodies because of flaws from metallurgy testing of batches??...... Probably not, they needed as many grenades as we could produce. Maybe all these unthreaded bodies really are from lunch boxes.

I know you like to make and play around with things in the workshop, so thought I would show you. Here is a relic body that was threaded on both ends, and missing the plug at bottom. So I made a plug for it from lead. I like to play around in workshop sometimes too. Looks pretty good eh? It's fun too.

Steve

 

[dano1917]

Steve, After careful thought and a little probing on a few sites, I now tend to agree with you that this is a practice thrower. I got screwed up on my colors and such, but anyhow I think there is little doubt that you were right..Respectfully, Dano

 

[Mikey25]

Last saturday I've seen 2 sectioned original instruction VBs, in near mint condition.. Think they were very pricey.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Steve, After careful thought and a little probing on a few sites, I now tend to agree with you that this is a practice thrower. I got screwed up on my colors and such, but anyhow I think there is little doubt that you were right..Respectfully, Dano

Hi Dano, that is what I have heard about these unthreaded bodies. Maybe there is a manual that shows or mentions them. They could be "lunchbox specials" as you said.

He is my red trainer. I think it is from the late 20's early 30's. Also here is pic of a red trainer that was re-painted for WW2, a very odd grenade. So they must have had red trainers in stocks in 1941. I am not sure of the exact date when they switched to blue, probably early late 41, early 42.

Regards, Steve

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Here is my only unthreaded body. It is a strange looking one at that. Look at the top row of segments, every other one is sloped at an angle......see?

I have never seen another pineapple with this shape, have you?

Steve

 

[dano1917]

Nice grenade Steve, No i've never seen the like. Also I think I got screwed up on the MK1 because the throwing dummy

(the one with 5 rows of segments and the faux MK1 handle was blue) although I thought I had seen an original 4 row segment MK1 with original blue paint but may not remember so good.Dano