Grenade No 2 Marked BA

[Bonnex]

Tony,
You asked about 'BA' marked on a No 2 Grenade. I believe it was manufactured by The Brilliant Arc Lamp and Engineering Co Ltd., who had at least one contract for 12000 'Mexican Grenades'. Tom may have knowledge of other contracts to this company.

 

[roller63]

Thanks very much for remembering Norman ! Hopefully some images attached, there are no other markings on it at all as far as I can see, even in broad daylight. The frag ring is painted Drill white over what looks like buff not black. I have seen pics of buff rings before on a No 2, a bit like on No 1 Grenades. Internal brass tube, spring and striker are all present. I suppose this would be a good time to ask if anyone has a spare handle and det holder ? Ok, ok, I know I have more chance in finding a four leaf clover but always worth asking !
Tony.

 

[Snufkin]

The final requirement submitted for No.2 grenades was 12 January 1916 for 12,000 "Grenades No.2, hand, dummy, with dummy detonators". The final corresponding contract for No.2 was for 12,000 from the Brilliant Arc Lamp and Engineering Co., delivery beginning 11 March 1916 - this was the only contract Brilliant Arc had for the No.2. (All previous contract builds were by the Cotton Powder Co.) So a white painted No.2 with no other markings than BA might be made by Brilliant Arc.

However, it is complicated in that B and A occur on No.2 components in grenades marked Cotton Powder Co. Ltd - sometimes both B and A, sometimes only a B, sometimes only an A, as in the attached.

My take is that they are inspection marks, and given that the No.2 was effectively hand crafted and cost so much, it is not beyond reason to have some parts inspected twice, particularly parts that had to work smoothly together, like the centre tube and needle pellet. The No.2 top body plug shown has both B and A, but as distinct separate stampings, and even on the centre tube the B and A are not in line.




Tom.

 

[Bonnex]

Tom,

Thanks for the detail on the contract to BA. I am away from my notes at the moment but if I remember correctly there was a small order for about a thousand grenades to a third company (SM Co?). Can you confirm and add any requirements detail? It seems to me the size of order that might relate to instructional grenades.

 

[Fragman]

Hi. I thought you might appreciate a photo of a No 2 det holder stamped BA. Cheers

 

[Snufkin]

Tom,

Thanks for the detail on the contract to BA. I am away from my notes at the moment but if I remember correctly there was a small order for about a thousand grenades to a third company (SM Co?). Can you confirm and add any requirements detail? It seems to me the size of order that might relate to instructional grenades.

Norman, yes, the final (documented) contract for No.2. It was placed with Samuel Mason Ltd, Birmingham for 1,300 to be completed by 7 May 1916. The corresponding War Office Requirement No.1102, of 23 March 1916, was for "Dummy Grenades, Hand, 1200-1300".

As for instructional and sectional, WO Req.149 of 14 September 1915 called for 10,000 "Empty No.2 grenades for instructional purposes" and 1,000 "Sections of No.2 grenade". Orders were placed with The Cotton Powder Co. for these.