What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Help identify British Grenade

O

oktato

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Hi,
Can anyone help to identify this rubber-bodied grenade?
It has a British striker mechanism, marked STR MECH N0.3 MK1/1 B & C 52.
The body is made of black rubber with faded white markings saying DUMMY on one side.
The markings on the other side are barely visible but the first line was GREN HAND.
I'm wondering if it could be related to the XL21E1 screening smoke grenade shown in Jane' Infantry Weapons 1975??
Thanks for any suggestions!
Gary
 

Attachments

  • Unknown British Gren 1.jpg
    Unknown British Gren 1.jpg
    100.1 KB · Views: 52
  • Unknown British Gren 2.jpg
    Unknown British Gren 2.jpg
    101 KB · Views: 45
  • Unknown British Gren 3.jpg
    Unknown British Gren 3.jpg
    94 KB · Views: 44
XL21 used this 'carrier' body design. It was used for other fillings, notably 'flash bangs'. The mech lever is probably a replacement since it predates the grenad by a considerable period.
 
Bonnex said:
XL21 used this 'carrier' body design. It was used for other fillings, notably 'flash bangs'. The mech lever is probably a replacement since it predates the grenad by a considerable period.
Click to expand...

Wow!
Thanks for the quick ID!
I was also surprised by the date on the lever.
The striker mechanism fits perfectly on the grenade body.
Any idea on the correct mechanism/lever?
The photo's I've seen of the XL21 have the same mechanism as the L2 anti-personnel or L13A2 anti-riot grenades.
Thanks again,
Gary
 
Gary,

This type of carrier grenade and the larger cylindrical rubber bodied grenade both used the Striker Mech No 3 in their early models but used the more reliable, and better waterproofed, 'L2' type mechanism later on. I will check on dates but No 3 Mechs should be dated late 70 s early 80s I would guess.
 
Thanks to Norman for the ID and Tony for the lever offer!
Luckily, I have some spare levers so here's my corrected grenade with a No.3 MK 1/2 striker lever dated 1976:

Brit Gren 4.jpg
 
Looks spot on to me ! I have been looking hard at the pics trying to make out the remains of the markings, I think they might say GREN HAND XL 12 E1 or maybe XL 42 E1, def something in front of the "2" anyways, still a nice Trials/Exp item, good find, thanks for showing it. Tony.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top