Mills No. 23

[theboybest]

Hi everyone, I am new here and have so far found this site to be extremely well laid out and full of helpful people.

I was wondering if anyone could give some advice please?

Basically I inheritted an inert hand grenade from my great, great grandfather.:tinysmile_eyebrow_t It dates back to the first world war.

Could anyone give me some more info on it please?

On the base of the grenade is, I assume, rifle mount screw?

On the base plate it self are markings:

1) BE.C
2) 12 16
3) N 23M 11

Any idea what these mean?

Would really appreciate any advice on it!

Thanks

 

[Nismosonic]

Hi everyone, I am new here and have so far found this site to be extremely well laid out and full of helpful people.

I was wondering if anyone could give some advice please?

Basically I inheritted an inert hand grenade from my great, great grandfather.:tinysmile_eyebrow_t It dates back to the first world war.

Could anyone give me some more info on it please?

On the base of the grenade is, I assume, rifle mount screw?

On the base plate it self are markings:

1) BE.C
2) 12 16
3) N 23M 11

Any idea what these mean?

Would really appreciate any advice on it!

Thanks

BE.C = Birmingham Engineering Co Ltd, Kings Road, South Yardley, Birmingham.
12/16= Date of manufacture- December 1916.
n23m11= Number 23 Mk2 (i think)

 

[paul the grenade]

Its the british No 23 MK2. it could be fitted with a short 6.5 inch rod for firing from a rifle barrel or just hand thrown.
check here for some pics.
http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/unitedkingdom/no23rifle.html
paul.