Mills No5 Centrecast

[Alan Alfred]

Hi there, can anyone tell me if all the centrecast No5's had an aluminium filler screw and aluminium base? Most of the examples I can find seem to show brass ones. Also should you repaint or leave as original? Regards Alan A.

 

[Millsman]

Alan

The original specification for the No 5 did not strictly lay down the law on materials for plugs and screws, often stating aluminium, brass or cast iron right from the start. You will find brass more commonly as it survives better under and above ground. I have seen non dug grenades with well corroded aluminum fillers. So in restoring a centrecast either will do, and you are more likely to get a better condition brass item than a aluminum one.

Aluminium was a natural choice for William Mills as he was an aluminium caster by trade. Also I would expect the planned life for a Mills to be measured in months not years so as long as a soldier could remove the base plug easily to insert the det, the material didn't matter.

John

 

[gothica7]

Hi Alan,

i have a centre cast with a brass filler screw which has never been removed, another with an aluminium filler so what John says is correct.
The brass filler gren came with a 23/11 base plug, obviously wrong so i added a Hopes brass one dated 8/15. Will never know what it originally had. As i said on feebay, i have an ally plug coming next week, ile let you know what its like.
Andy

 

[Darrol]

Hi .the ally repro fillers on feebay are exellent .i got one for my 23.fits lovely.
Regards Darrol.

 

[Millsman]

Yes the ali plugs on ebay and SA are good. I know the maker and he's a good engineer.

John

 

[Alan Alfred]

So should I repaint?

 

[gothica7]

No Alan,

you will never make it as good as it was, just polish it with beeswax polish or something similar. For example, you cannot get the types of paint they used then. If you need to, just shellac it.

Andy