French Mills?

[FNG61]

Ive read that Mills bombs were made in France during WW1. Last time I checked there were none identified as such. Here is a No.5 with 2 large letters cast into it. In the photo is a VB and an F1 that have similar sized letters cast into them. The Foug citron can be found with large sized letters similar to these cast into them as well. If you have seen alot of cast iron/steel French grenades you have probably noticed these same types of large letters(as well as others). The WW1 Mills typicly come with small letters cast into them (if marked at all). The plug on this Mills is marked with the I J or J I logo which, last time I checked, was still unattributed. So, is it possible this is a French manufactured Mills?

 

[Millsman]

The Mills plug you show was from a regular Mills No 5.

The French made Mills No 5 had a semi solid brass plug which had a bar across the middle and no markings at all (from examples I've seen). The F1 markings are from French factories. ARE being the most common.

John

 

[Spgr30]

Hi,
Here is an example of French Mills made N5, as described Millsman with a rest of sky blue color. Hope this will help you.

Best regards

 

[millsbomber]

and 2 more Plugs,,,,,, Dave

 

[Millsman]

Thanks Dave not seen the plain type before.

John

 

[FNG61]

Thanks for the replies. I had not seen the unmarked brass bar across the base plugs befor. Seems odd they didnt get any markings eh? Ive seen the lead ones. I'd heard the other umarked plugs, shown by Dave, were either very early or just missed getting stamped at the factory by accident(the same way you can get No.23 marks on a No.5 and vice versa). So how about that Mills body casing/casting? Do those letters not look like the same marks as on the French grenade castings/casings?

 

[Millsman]

They are similar but there is a huge range of Mills body casting letters in all sorts of different fonts and sizes.

The key question is - Is your grenade a centrecast? All the French made Mills bombs were centrecast.

John

 

[millsbomber]

Thanks for the replies. I had not seen the unmarked brass bar across the base plugs befor. Seems odd they didnt get any markings eh? Ive seen the lead ones. I'd heard the other umarked plugs, shown by Dave, were either very early or just missed getting stamped at the factory by accident(the same way you can get No.23 marks on a No.5 and vice versa). So how about that Mills body casing/casting? Do those letters not look like the same marks as on the French grenade castings/casings?

The reason there not marked is because Mr Mills was suing the french for copy right infringement,,,,,,,,, Dave