AP Ring on No5 Mills

[FNG61]

In Delhommes 'French Grenades of WW1' he shows a safety pin called the AP Ring Pin. I see these often on F1s. This is the only one I can recall seeing on a Mills (aluminum plug, M&Co. 11/16). Any of you see these on the Mills befor? It seems like a practical safety pin that is easy to use but maybe there were problems with it. Otherwise why didnt it become standard issue on other grenades in other countries?

 

[Millsman]

They mainly turn up on Mills 36's supplied to the Belgian Army in 1918. I understand it may have been a British invention which was not favoured by the War Office, so had no use in the British Army. It would be wrong on a No 5.

John

 

[Millsman]

Here's a photo of two grenades with the pin. The presentation grenade is actually a No 23 Mk III dated 1918. The other is an 1918 dated Belgian training grenade which has an interesting modification. A British leather bootlace has been fixed to hold the lever to the body, so that lever stays attached when the grenade is thrown. This grenade also has a modified baseplug with a post fixed on the inside, to limit the travel of the striker.

John

 

[FNG61]

Very good. Thankyou.