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Another Mk II
- Thread starter bacarnal
- Start date
Kilroy was Here
Well-Known Member
Hi Bruce, no real way to tell manufacture dates very "exact" with WW2 pineapples. The fuze lot numbers don't have anything to do with dates.
That's a nice grenade you have. The M6A4C detonating fuze is not that easy to find. These fuzes are a later war fuze so your grenade I would say was made 44-45. Your fuze also has the improved "stepped" pin that goes through the striker and spring, which was a later war feature also.
what are the markings on the body?
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Kilroy was Here
Well-Known Member
OK Bruce, I look forward to more pics of it.
Kilroy was Here
Well-Known Member
Another nice M6A4C, why does everyone have a nicer one than me? :tinysmile_angry_t:
Yes, the M6A4C came after the M10. It's a detonating fuze for use in the TNT filled grenades, and I not even sure why the they had two types of fillings during WW2. Seems it would have been logistically better for just one type filling, and one type of fuze.
The ink printing instead of stamped in metal is just a manufacturing difference from different fuze contractors. They would also ink stamp over metal stamped numbers as upgrades occurred. I've seen many M200A1 fuzes overstamped in ink M10A3 or A2.
M6 fuzes are a little shorter fuze body also, here's a pic of my M6 compared to the M10.
Attachments
Lou
Well-Known Member
Yes Sir,
I do have a few ink over metal stamps. I also noticed that the later the fuze modle the better chance it has of being purely ink stamped. As possibly helps explain why this grenade it came with has scrape marks inside.
Thanks guys,I learned something and ya'll helped stop me from making a mistake in my display.Thanks Steve and Thanks EODGUY
I do have a few ink over metal stamps. I also noticed that the later the fuze modle the better chance it has of being purely ink stamped. As possibly helps explain why this grenade it came with has scrape marks inside.
Thanks guys,I learned something and ya'll helped stop me from making a mistake in my display.Thanks Steve and Thanks EODGUY
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First off, nice grenade and fuze. The M6 and M10 fuzes and their modifications were used on US grenades for most of WWII. All models of the M6 family were detonating type where the delay element set off a detonator. The M10 series were the igniting type. During 1942 and 1943 the M6 was used with the Mk3 and Mk3A1 TNT loaded offensive grenades, while the M10 series were used with the Mk2A1 fragmentation grenades which was loaded with EC Blank powder. In May of 1944, the Mk2A1 grenade was made limited standard and replaced by TNT filled Mk 2's. The M6A4C fuze was then adopted for use as standard for the Mk 2 grenade. At the same time the M10A3 igniting fuze that had been used on the Mk2A1 grenade was designated for use with the Mk 2 Practice grenade. At the same time the M6A4D fuze was used on the Mk3A1 offensive grenade and the M15 WP smoke grenade. The difference in the fuze was the handles, straight versus curved. In early 1944, Army gound forces requested a noiseless, sparkless, smokeless fuze and development of the T2 fuze was begun. In February 1945, the T2E1 version was adopted as standard for the Mk 2 grenade and designated the M204. It used a zirconium-nickel alloy dichromated powder that was sparkless and smokeless. Just about the same time the T16 fuze was adopted as the M205 for use in the M21 Practice grenade and the M206 for the Mk 3 offensive grenade. Again the difference between the M204 and M206 was the handles.
Kilroy was Here
Well-Known Member
Great info EODGUY, very detailed. Thanks for taking time to post this info.
I did not know the M204 was adopted in '45, actually during WW2. Interesting, thanks.
I did forgot to mention the letters, and the "C" in M6A4C did signify a "Curved" spoon/handle.
I did not know the M204 was adopted in '45, actually during WW2. Interesting, thanks.
I did forgot to mention the letters, and the "C" in M6A4C did signify a "Curved" spoon/handle.
paul the grenade
Well-Known Member
anyone know the difference between a MK2 and a Mk2A1? was it the base hole being changed to a soild base??
Paul.
Paul.
Not sure what the difference is between the two grenades. I have a drawing of the Mk II dated Dec 1918 with a tapered threaded base plug and no fuze designated. Not sure about the tapered plug! Another drawing dated May 1918 with a straight threaded base plug with no fuze designated. One dated June 1940 with a straight threaded plug and the M10A2 fuze. And then there is a January 1945 drawing with a solid base and the M204 fuze. As of right now I have not been able to find an engineering drawing of the Mk IIA1. TM 9-1985, Oct. 1943 shows the Mk IIA1 with a solid base. So, I have a drawing showing both the Mk II and the Mk IIA1 with a solid base. Quite often the designation changed when the grenade was fitted with a new fuze, but I don't know in this case. Hopefully I will eventually turn a drawing of the Mk IIA1 grenade to compare. Or, better yet someone else may know the answer.
Kilroy was Here
Well-Known Member
Very confusing..... isn't it? :nerd: I think also it has more to do with fuze upgrades and changes, than body casting types.
I don't really think all this will be figured out 100%. It seems nothing is certain with pre-45 US pineapple designations and nomenclature. :tinysmile_cry_t: