MIlls No 5 / No 23 Bodies Marked M

[Millsman]

I have two Mills No5 / No 23 Bodies that have an M on the casing under the Filler hole, one has an 8 and the other a 3 on the lowest part of the body on the same alignment. The M and the numbers are raised not moulded into the bodies.

One grenade came from the fields opposite High Wood on the Somme, so we know it's 1916 or thereabouts, the other is a Mills Moneybox which probably dates from manufacturing at the end of 1918 and was sold off as an uncompleted body post 1919.

Can anyone shed light on these mould marks?

John

 

[millsbomber]

These are the only examples i have of raised letters,,,,,,,, Dave

 

[Millsman]

Thanks Dave a nice set. I did at one time think these might have been a response to the instruction that came in with the 23 III and 36 to mark the body, however the Grenade from High Wood scuppered that theory as it had to earlier, unless by chance it was dropped in the German 1918 offensive.

I'll put up some photos of mine.

John

 

[Millsman]

Here's a photo. John