Grenade, hand, clay Mk1

[Rrickoshae]

Came across the attached in a 1945 Regulations for Army Ordnance Services pamphlet which shows a clay training grenade similar in shape to a No.36.
Does anyone have such a thing to show?

Dave

 

[TimG]

Dave,

Here you are - http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/3940-Grenade-Hand-Clay-Mk1?p=25542&viewfull=1#post25542

TimG

 

[Rrickoshae]

Thanks Tim, Definitely the ugly duckling of the grenade world!

Dave

 

[Snufkin]

Just over 1.8 million, at a price of ~4d each, were supplied by Cotopa Ltd, 152 Canal Road, Bradford, from end of 1941 to mid 1943. There were three orders - for 750,000, 750,000 and 1,500,000 - the final order being terminated after receipt of ~300,000.



Tom.

 

[US-Subs]

Its interesting how similar it looks to an improvised Japanese ceramic grenade with added fragmentation. The improvised item was recovered by Bill Woodin in Burma during WWII, serving as an ambulance driver for British forces. This grenade is missing the top and fuze, which was apparently lost in transit when the collection was moved to PA for auction.

 

[Millsman]

What is fascinating about this is that Tom has quoted some quite high numbers delivered but I've never heard of these being used, despite chatting to about 5 WW2 veterans (plus my father) about grenade training in the war. All references to Home Guard training seem to indicate initial use of solid throwing practice grenades followed by drill and live Mills 36s.

There are references in WW1 training manuals to similar 'puff' grenades which again seem hard to identify from official lists.

Has anyone seen reference to their actual use in WW2?

 

[Millsman]

Here's a photo of the one I have.