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MKi Mod 2

Rifleman2

Active Member
Anybody have an idea of what caused this illumination grenade to rust this way.All but the very top has corroded.Maybe a partial dud where it didn't ignite to full potential?
 

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Maybe it was sitting in a cardboard shipping tube in the vertical position and water soaked into the crate to that level. It is mysterious that the line is so sharp on the border between paint and rust.
 
Late production Mk1 illumination grenades had the markings applied to a wide plastic band that was shrunk around the center of the grenade, similar to heat-shrink tubing used on electrical connections. I think it served to help keep moisture out from the center joint where the two halves blow apart when the grenade functions.

The sharp line seen is the edge of where the plastic sleeve ended. They were unpainted under the plastic so they rusted easily once it was gone. The bottom half was especially prone to that as the illumination compound was pressed in and burned very hot.
 
Thanks,ordnance,that makes sense.After seeing your reply,I found some images of these online and can see the band you are talking about.

Dale
 
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