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Early MK2 practice

3

35thid

Member
Hello there Gentlemen! This is my first post as I am very new to the grenade collecting community. It started with a friend giving me an original 1953 practice grenade and then this weekend I found this grenade. From the research that I have done it is an early MK2 practice grenade. I am wondering if someone can tell me a little more about it. I have a series of pictures on my flickr account...

[ame="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15417696@N08/sets/"]fourmocav's photosets on Flickr[/ame]

Any information would be appreciated. Also, what is the small "guard" between the spoon and the fuse body? I am also assuming that it was originally red, but was repainted sometime. THANKS!

Joe Taylor
 

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Hi Joe

That is indeed an early practice grenade, are there any markings on the top of the fuze? Its quite early.

The guard is called a fuze sealer, designed to keep crap out of the operating mechanism of the fuze.
 
The top line of the spoon is marked out XXXX and the second line looks like P.A. LOT (something) and the third line is 1302-1. The body has an S on the bottom row and a D right above that. Any clue of the manufactor? I cannot find any markings on the fuse itself.
 
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Joe, first of all Welcome to the forum and second you should try to upload the pictures directly from your PC to the forum.
 
Here are some of the pictures that I have taken of it. Hope that this helps. You cannot really see the threaded hole on the bottom.

Joe
 

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Welcome 35thid. Good find! Early fuze, though others can expound on it much better than I. We can see the threaded hole on the bottom just fine. Cheers, Bruce.
 
Funny that this comes up now as it is one of the things I was reading yesterday. I have a legnthy reference from 1920 to the requirements and approval of the MK II A practice grenade that utilizes a cast iron body and a Mark V bouchon.

That is a beautiful specimin that you have accquired.
 
35thid,

Joe welcome to this site! I would say you have started your (INERT) grenade collection off well with that piece.

Just like Bacarnal has said I will have to say the same thing. :dito:
 
It is only me or the fuze head is damaged, (bent)? 20$ for that grenade is a really bargain, maybe God still exists yet, short spoon, cut back fuze with dust cover, early dark blue paint.... what more can you ask?
 
early dark blue paint....

This is interesting at what point did the blue change to the lighter shade ?
 
Welcome JOE,thats very nice,and a bargan to.I live in Wichita,there is a couple of us here.The club im in has 2 military collectors shows a year,if your interested let me no I will get you the dates,also there is a nice one in Levenworth next month.
vinny :tinysmile_classes_t
 
Gspragge said:
This is interesting at what point did the blue change to the lighter shade ?
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I am not sure that there was official change(s) in the blue color shades, most likely just variations between manufacturers and paint lots?

FWIW attached is a file photo of the earliest Blue Mk 2 Practice that I own (Packed in February 1939) and it has a lighter color body. Also this example was fitted (Original to Grenade) with an M10 Fuze when packed.
 

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35thid said:
Hello there Gentlemen! This is my first post as I am very new to the grenade collecting community. It started with a friend giving me an original 1953 practice grenade and then this weekend I found this grenade. From the research that I have done it is an early MK2 practice grenade.

Joe Taylor
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Hello Joe,

Nice grenade and welcome to the board!

Stay safe,

Frank
 
Looked at the grenade more closely last night and there is a cork plug that was bouncing around inside of it. I got it out and it looks old. Did they use cork plugs on these?

Also, The fuse on it is an early fuse. It had the extra part ground off. The more I study this grenade, the more I like it!

Joe
 
A cork plug? STEEEEEEVE!!!!!!!!!!!! :tinysmile_tongue_t: Anyway the bouchon is definitely damagd, the tip is not curved like yours, look other grenades or the Eodtek avatar.
 
DRATS! The fuse is bent. Does anyone know of a way to bend it back, or should I just keep it like it is. I would DIE if I broke it trying to straighten it.

Joe
 
35thid said:
DRATS! The fuse is bent. Does anyone know of a way to bend it back, or should I just keep it like it is. I would DIE if I broke it trying to straighten it.

Joe
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Keep it the way it is. It's a hard fuze to find to begin with and the bend in it makes it unusual.
 
IMHO I would leave it alone. If your luck is like mine, you will probably end up cracking it during an attempt to straighten and have nothing improved in the end.
 
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