Brit lever translation please

[Fragman]

Hi Folk,

i got this lever a long time ago from a friend in the UK. Whilst it's obviously an L25a3 and probably made in February 1991, I'm unsure what the rest of the numbering means. Translation please. Cheers

 

[Bonnex]

Hi Folk,

i got this lever a long time ago from a friend in the UK. Whilst it's obviously an L25a3 and probably made in February 1991, I'm unsure what the rest of the numbering means. Translation please. CheersView attachment 112785

The SER 291 is likely decoded as Serial Number 291 and typically would suggest it was marked up for a trial. B4 is the Branch at the Armament Research & Development Establishment and B4/3133 would be the requisition number for the trial pieces.

 

[Fragman]

Hi Bonnex. At least I got the designation correct . Thanks for the translation. It's much appreciated. cheers

 

[smle2009]

Would it have been assigned a L number during trials?

Tony

 

[Bonnex]

Would it have been assigned a L number during trials?

Tony

Tony, Sorry I cannot give you a straight answer. The 'it depends' excuse comes into play here.

Some trials are designed to improve the functioning of a grenade and the L2 Grenade and L25 Fuze combination were the best part of 20 years in the making because of functioning problems. In its experimental phase the the fuze reached E6 before being accepted as L25A1, and in service it was modified up to L25A6. It would be possible for a L number to be advanced as the result of a trial (eg L25A1 advanced to L25A2).

But trials covered numerous developments. For instance problems with the tail unit for the L2 grenade necessitated trials. Packing of the grenade into H84 boxes needed trials. In both of these cases HE L2 Grenades were used.

During trials the serial number (marked in Fragman's example on the lever) is used in the detailed trial records where appropriate.

I have not been able to find the B4 Requisition number in OB Procs but I guess the lever dates from around 1967.