Mills Base Plugs

[Millsman]

I've just purchased a small collection of Mills No 5, and No 23 baseplugs. All seem to be in pretty good condition, many with a good old patina.

I'll sort through and extract a number for my collection and keep a smaller number of spares for restorations. So there will be some left over that are duplicates of those I already have.

I'll list the makers next week that I will have available to sell. I'll offer them to BOCN members first!

John

 

[Millsman]

I've sorted out my collection and the Mills Base plugs I recently bought. Here is a list of those I can dispose of.

PM me for prices of any you may be interested in. Price is based upon condition and rarity although the sensible members will note that many of the prices are less than you will pay for a REPRO plug!! Postage will be by signed for service and by weight. i.e you can have 3 brass cup type plugs posted for the same price as one, but inclusion of a solid plug adds a lot to the weight. I don't profit from postage. Condition of all plugs is good to excellent. There are only two with doubtful threads.

John

Here is the list:

No 5 Mk 1 Solid Brass 2 hole- early type:
Falkirk dated 10/15
VP Ltd 1915 (month not visible)- May be brass / copper alloy.
M & Co dated 11/15
No 5 Mk 1 Brass Cup Type
AB&S Ltd dated 5/16
BGL dated 1/16
CAV dated 9/16
DF Co dated 9/16 (slight cracks)
DF Co dated 6/16 (slightly rough condition)
Davis & Mawson dated 3/16 (Threads may be damaged – Compressed)
Elmbank Glasgow dated 4/16
FREMO Birmingham dated 8/16 (Rare)
Falkirk dated /16
GM&Co Ld dated 9/16 (Rare)
James Cycle Co dated 2/16
Hinks dated 10/16 (Rare)
J Ltd Dated 2/16 (Has pinhole through base but RARE plug)
JP&S W dated 1/16 Battered rim!
MAP dated 3/16 (Rare)
M&LC Co Ltd GY dated 7/16
Messenger & Son dated 10/16 (Rare)
Mills Patents dated 2/16
Mills Patents dated 2/16
Moorwoods dated 5/16
R&A M Falkirk dated 10/16 (Rare)
SP&Co dated 2/16 (Rare)
WA & Co dated Aug 1916
TA&S dated /16
TA&S dated 2/16
V.P.Ld dated 9/16
V.P.Ld dated 9/16
No 23 Mk 1 (Solid Brass type)
D&B dated 8/16 (Tip of rod still in hole)
D&B dated 12/16
HT&V dated 1916
No 23 Mk II (Hearn type)
HLD dated 4/17

 

[Millsman]

Current list after first disposals:

No 5 Mk 1 Solid Brass 2 hole- early type:
VP Ltd 1915 (month not visible)- May be brass / copper alloy.
M & Co dated 11/15
No 5 Mk 1 Brass Cup Type
AB&S Ltd dated 5/16
BGL dated 1/16
DF Co dated 6/16 (slightly rough condition)
Davis & Mawson dated 3/16 (Threads may be damaged – Compressed)
FREMO Birmingham dated 8/16 (Rare)
GM&Co Ld dated 9/16 (Rare)
James Cycle Co dated 2/16
Hinks dated 10/16 (Rare)
J Ltd Dated 2/16 (Has pinhole through base but RARE plug)
MAP dated 3/16 (Rare)
Messenger & Son dated 10/16 (Rare)
Mills Patents dated 2/16
Moorwoods dated 5/16
R&A M Falkirk dated 10/16 (Rare)
SP&Co dated 2/16 (Rare)
WA & Co dated Aug 1916
TA&S dated /16
TA&S dated 2/16
V.P.Ld dated 9/16
No 23 Mk 1 (Solid Brass type)
D&B dated 12/16
HT&V dated 1916

 

[Millsman]

M&Co Dated 11/15 now sold.

John

 

[SG500]

Just out of curiosity what is the earliest dated mills base plug you are likely to find.

Dave.

 

[Bonnex]

Dave,

I have one from Mills dated 5/15 which is probably the earliest reported thus far. Conceivably 3/15 and 4/15 are possible.

 

[SG500]

Thanks Norman.
Nice plug.
Dave.

 

[Millsman]

Sorry for the late reply but I've been in France for a few days.

It's worth noting that the commonest early plugs start at August 1915. I've only seen a couple of July plugs one June and Norman's May plug.

The small number of prototypes tested in France in early 1915 probably had unmarked plugs, and production was very slow at first. Most of the very early plugs were aluminium which notoriously rots in the ground and in any case would also very likely be shattered when the grenade went off, so very few of the early plugs survived until they started making them in brass. Aluminium plugs slowly phased out through 1915. I've got a couple dated 12/15 but think these were the tail end of the aluminium plugs.

John

 

[Millsman]

After the sale of a few more those remaining are :

No 5 Mk 1 Solid Brass 2 hole- early type:
VP Ltd 1915 (month not visible)- May be brass / copper alloy.
M & Co dated 11/15
No 5 Mk 1 Brass Cup Type
AB&S Ltd dated 5/16
BGL dated 1/16
DF Co dated 6/16 (slightly rough condition)
Davis & Mawson dated 3/16 (Threads may be damaged – Compressed)
FREMO Birmingham dated 8/16 (Rare)
GM&Co Ld dated 9/16 (Rare)
Hinks dated 10/16 (Rare)
J Ltd Dated 2/16 (Has pinhole through base but RARE plug)
MAP dated 3/16 (Rare)
Messenger & Son dated 10/16 (Rare)
R&A M Falkirk dated 10/16 (Rare)
SP&Co dated 2/16 (Rare)
WA & Co dated Aug 1916
TA&S dated /16
TA&S dated 2/16
V.P.Ld dated 9/16
No 23 Mk 1 (Solid Brass type)
D&B dated 12/16

John