British 5 DR. C.E. Pellet I for No.82 Gammon Grenade and what else?

[WWIIBuff]

Hello All,

I have these British WWII original (but empty) casings from two 5 DR. C.E. Pellet I primers. I know that they were used for the No.82 Gammon Grenade, but what else were they used on during WWII? I think when I bought them a while back, the seller in France said they were also used for the British 3 pound mortar. Does that sound correct?

Were these also used on the No.74 Sticky Grenade?

Can anyone also tell me what DR. stands for?

Thanks

John

 

[TimG]

DR - Dram, 1.77 grams. One dram = 1/16 ounce.

I note that on a box of No. 82 grenades it states also packed is CE pellets No. 6. I wonder if this pellet, rectified, would be a No. 6 primer used on the SOE rat.

No 82 Mk I gammon

Hi. I've just picked up a No 82 Mk I gammon. It's very nice and all original as far as I can tell. It is missing the washer that goes under the always fuze. I'm pretty sure they are exactly the same as the ones used on the No69, so if you have a broken No69, and can spare the washer, please PM...

www.bocn.co.uk

TimG

p.s. I was beguiled by the wrapper not having a hole in the top, in reality the pellet is perforated to take a detonator.

 

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks for the information Tim. I was wondering if this pellet could also be referred to as the Standard No.6 Primer, but have not found any documentation yet to confirm that. I forgot I had these, but rediscovered them during my search for information on the No.6 Primer.

I appreciate the DR definition too.

I wonder if the top of the wrapper is just thin enough that the detonator can be pushed through it?

 

[WWIIBuff]

I believe I was incorrect about these being used on the No.82 Gammon Bomb/Grenade. I think the pellet casings I posted were for the 2" and 3" mortar rounds. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[BMG50]

I have actually seen these from a HE 2" mortar. I think they are shown in DWS notes.

 

[WWIIBuff]

I have actually seen these from a HE 2" mortar. I think they are shown in DWS notes.

Thank you for confirming. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are DWS notes?

 

[TimG]

Having consulted the I.O.O. (Inspecting Ordnance Officer) course notes circa 1945. Only 2" mortars filled Amatol or TNT used the 5 Dr. CE pellets, or in lieu of the pellet, Exploder bag "F". Baratol filled mortars had no such arrangement.

TimG

 

[BMG50]

Having consulted the I.O.O. (Inspecting Ordnance Officer) course notes circa 1945. Only 2" mortars filled Amatol or TNT used the 5 Dr. CE pellets, or in lieu of the pellet, Exploder bag "F". Baratol filled mortars had no such arrangement.

TimG

There you go Thanks Tim G.
DWS notes give all the details about modifications etc, very useful to have.

 

[WWIIBuff]

Thank you both very much. I appreciate the efforts on both your parts to confirm what these pellets were used for. So the 2" mortar it is.

My search continues for a picture or sketch of a No.6 Primer.

 

[WWIIBuff]

Based on the comment by TimG above about the label on a box of No. 82 grenades stating it also packed CE pellets No.6, I extended my search and was able to find this picture in the French book about SOE and OSS equipment "Tombé du Ciel!" by Eric Pierret. Like Tim said, the label clearly references 10 No.6 CE Pellets for the No.82 grenade.

Most of the gaine cups in the box have their felt pad in place, but I have circled the one that doesn't, and appears to show the C.E. Pellet.

I am inclined to think even more so now that this is indeed the same No.6 primer referenced in the sketch of the SOE Rat Explosive.