Mill 'Red Hand' Baseplug from 1915

[millsbomber]

Do you mean date John,,,,,,

 

[Millsman]

No Dave. If you look closely at Norman's plug one has dripping blood the other hasn't. Colin's plug has the blood too.

I was never aware that there were two versions of this plug in a production run of 250,000. Maybe there were two base plug makers in Belfast as a part of the Belfast Committee group?

John

 

[SG500]

Another example I recently picked up.
Dave

 

[Millsman]

Cracking example. Great find.

Are there letters on the shoulders? Any chance of a front on photo?

 

[SG500]

Cracking example. Great find.

Are there letters on the shoulders? Any chance of a front on photo?

Hi thanks. No letters that I can see. Are there supposed to be if so what?

Seems to be a centre cast complete with some casting faults.

Dave.

 

[Millsman]

It certainly looks like a Belfast casting and there looks to be a trace of a letter on the shoulders, possibly an i (not seen before). The main indicator for Belfast casting is the letters. A variety have been seen in the past.

 

[Millsman]

It certainly looks like a Belfast casting and there looks to be a trace of a letter on the shoulders, possibly an i (not seen before). The main indicator for Belfast casting is the letters. A variety have been seen in the past.

I've seen the letters X, J, M, O, and R

I expect there will be others around.

 

[Millsman]

Here's a photo showing typical Belfast letters on the shoulders. An X and an M in these examples. The photo also shows the distinctive raised area around the filler hole / screw.

 

[SG500]

Thanks. Would centrecast versions have letters too? Only reason I ask is the plug came in a centrecast grenade.

Dave.

Here's a photo showing typical Belfast letters on the shoulders. An X and an M in these examples. The photo also shows the distinctive raised area around the filler hole / screw.


View attachment 205763

#T

 

[Millsman]

Thanks. Would centrecast versions have letters too? Only reason I ask is the plug came in a centrecast grenade.

Dave.



#T

All of the Belfast grenades had letters on the shoulders, at least until the original contract for 250,000 was completed. Mackie made grenades after the original contract and these seem to be centrecast as well - into 1916.

Both the grenades in my photo are centrecast/transverse castings.