factory sectioned mills

[xPANZERx]

I have noticed several different types of sectioned mills bomb sold as factory sectioned, but I am wondering how many ways mills bombs were sectioned in the factory, and how can you tell factory sectioned from post war sectioned? e.g. was this done in the factory or by someone afterwards?

 

[Millsman]

That's a very nice grenade. I don't know if there is a way of telling whether sectioned Mills were done in a factory or elsewhere. The only clue seems to be that possible non military sectioning always seems to include a cut filler screw. I've got a centrecast Mills No 5 that is sectioned in the same way. I'll post a photo tomorrow. There must have been salesmen's samples. Maybe Tom can clarify?

John

 

[Fragman]

Hi. This is the only example I have of what I believe to be a WW2 factory sectioned Mills. This belief is based on it being technically well done (the physical sectioning), but not overly well finished. That is, the cut has not been filed smooth or otherwise dressed. It has also been completely shellacked (as opposed to the more colourful examples). The filling plug and centre piece are locked in place by the correct type of sealer. These feature tend to point to it being made for use, not as a display piece. It is worth noting that Mechanical Engineers often sectioned practice Mills as part of their Corp training, so whilst not factory sectioned a lot of sectioned practice Mills are legit military items. Cheers

 

[SG500]

Mike has an original one for sale.

Dave.

http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1580164

 

[xPANZERx]

Thanks for the information Fragman, so thats would be why my one has holes drilled in it like a training grenade.

 

[Millsman]

Here's a couple of pictures of my 25% sectioned centrecast No 5. I feel this must have been a factory sample or possible done for a museum a long time ago. Nobody in their right mind would section a mint condition centrecast now. The plug is 1915 HT&V.

John

 

[millsbomber]

As far as WW2 Sectioned No36 M Mk1's, the only example i have in my opinion that would have been produced by a manufacturer for instruction purposes is the middle one in the picture, Carron Company, its so nicely done and all the internals are coated and then painted,,,, Dave

 

[Millsman]

Some interesting examples in that lot Dave! - John

 

[Infanteer]

Here are my three.... I believe they are all factory done but perhaps someone knows better. Sectioned ordnance is not found in Canada nearly as often as it is in England so normally anything found is factory/officially done.

 

[Millsman]

Interesting to compare Dave's F&W to Infanteer's version. They are clearly sectioned differently. Dave's to about 20% Infanteer's to 25%. If they were both produced in the same factory should they be the same?

Also Infanteer's middle grenade is in the style of many of the WW1 No 5 sections.

John

 

[siegfreid]

Just a thought but a lot of the sectioned WW2 36's have almost certainly got the ORIGINAL painted filling bands on them . The ones from the factory would only have the lacquer as they never filled them . I would suggest that the plain lacquered ones are probably factory made & the ones with markings are armourers sectioned examples that had once been issued as live grenades . How or why they were emptied is anyone's guess.......!!!!

 

[paul the grenade]

heres my favourite sectioned mills, it has the cut out section re attached as a little door!

 

[Snufkin]

Here are my three.... I believe they are all factory done but perhaps someone knows better. Sectioned ordnance is not found in Canada nearly as often as it is in England so normally anything found is factory/officially done.

The left hand example looks to be a genuine post-1946 TW14A based on what appears to be a John Pilling body. Have a look at post no.6 in this recent thread:

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/86324-Mill-36M?highlight=tw14a

The middle one looks very much to be a WWI formal contract item. (First contract requirement for 1000 sectioned No.36 MkI placed 13th December 1917.)




Tom.

 

[sgtlynn]

I think both the FW's are factory, I have seen a lot of them over the years and they are all the same, indicates factory rather than homemade sectioned pieces. I have a few of them, all the same as those presented.

 

[Infanteer]

Very unique example Paul!

 

[sgtlynn]

Very cool Paul!!

 

[Millsman]

I think both the FW's are factory, I have seen a lot of them over the years and they are all the same, indicates factory rather than homemade sectioned pieces. I have a few of them, all the same as those presented.

Sorry, but how can they be 'all the same' if the degree of sectioning is different between the two grenades illustrated. One may be factory produced, the other individually produced. You contradict youself.

John

 

[Infanteer]

Sorry, but how can they be 'all the same' if the degree of sectioning is different between the two grenades illustrated. One may be factory produced, the other individually produced. You contradict youself.

John

Are you sure they are different? They both appear to pass through the same point on the filler plug and have the same amount of material between the cut and the "ear" on the right side. They look the same to me but because they are taken from different angles it is difficult to be certain.

 

[sgtlynn]

Hi John, not contradicting myself, just not seeing a lot of difference in the two photos. As I said I have seen many of the FW's and all are the same. 25% cutout, not painted.

Sorry, but how can they be 'all the same' if the degree of sectioning is different between the two grenades illustrated. One may be factory produced, the other individually produced. You contradict youself.

John

 

[Millsman]

If you look closely at Dave's, the side cut is in front of the line of fragmentations segments, whereas the others are through the line. There is a difference, though it could be the camera angle. I thought at first Dave's was a 20% cut out, but it seems slightly less than 25%. John