interesting WW1 postcard on ebay

[Gspragge]

Listed by Urfaust, one of the rifle grenades looks like a rare one.

 

[Bonnex]

The two Townsend rifle grenades are uncommon and the different rod lengths add interest. They are sometimes referred to as Gauchet grenades and the contemporary drawing of the Townsend looks much the same as the drawing in Gauchet's patent. Adam's, whilst working at the Royal Engineers Experimental Section in France used the Townsend/Gauchet as the basis for one of his designs.

Gauchet's GB Patent is marked 'void' and 'complete not accepted'. He was I believe one of the manufacturers of the infamous French Mills grenade.
Adam's is known for his simple fuze used in the No 34 grenade etc.
There were two marks of Townsend grenade differing only in the location of the filling hole.

See also
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/82474-New-Relic-British

 

[Gspragge]

The rod length might vary depending on how far they pushed it into the ground for the photo ~ :wink:

 

[MINENAZ16]

Hello,

Does anyone know the nomenclature of these two cylindrical bombs ?
For sure these are not hand grenades (too big) and look like improvised bombs for mortar (something like 100mm)

Regards

 

[Millsman]

They are the smallest of the Toffee Apple family. They had the same fuze as the 2lb Vickers shell. I had one once.

John

 

[MINENAZ16]

They are the smallest of the Toffee Apple family. They had the same fuze as the 2lb Vickers shell. I had one once.

John

my question is for this one with safety fuse and not for 1.57in Vickers bomb

 

[Millsman]

Large jam tins?

 

[Yodamaster]

Perhaps, something like this....... (sorry, bad quality but I have not better !)



Yoda

 

[MINENAZ16]

Perhaps, something like this....... (sorry, bad quality but I have not better !)



Yoda

I think it's smaller.

I've heard about an early improvised 3.7in-4in HE/Schrapnel "Newton" described as cylindrical with safety fuze.

 

[Bonnex]

I think it's smaller.

I've heard about an early improvised 3.7in-4in HE/Schrapnel "Newton" described as cylindrical with safety fuze.

The first improvised (by Indian Engineers I think) HE version was about 90mm in diameter and 200mm long. it used a 15oz GC slab and a primer initiated by a detonator the safety fuze of which was ignited on discharge of the bomb. The mortar and ammunition was devised at Arques in Nov 1914. Newton's version was produced a little later in 1915.

Ref: Work of the Royal Engineers in WW1 - Experimental Section (published in RE Journal.