New grenades

[Gau 8]

Hi, i got these yesterday. I have been told the no.2 is a mark one Mexican. It says 7mm on the body. I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about no.2's because i have another one that says 8mm on the body.
Gau 8:tinysmile_grin_t:

 

[Gau 8]

The two different bodies. 7mm and 8mm

 

[Darrol]

I think that the 8mm would be on the Belgian used no2.
Cheers .Darrol

 

[SG500]

NICE!
Dave.

 

[Millsman]

One question. The Cotton Powder Co was based in Faversham Kent. Why does it say London?

John

 

[Bonnex]

One question. The Cotton Powder Co was based in Faversham Kent. Why does it say London?

John

John,

Their Head Office was at

21 Wallbrook
London EC

 

[Bonnex]

I think that the 8mm would be on the Belgian used no2.
Cheers .Darrol

Interesting that you should say Belgium, I have certainly heard that before but I was unable to find what the B stood for with any certainty when I was researching the Cotton Powder Company many years ago. The French seem to have acquired the 8mm Hales Grenade in small numbers for their Lebel but the Belgian Rifle of the day was the Mauser 7.65mm if I remember correctly. I suppose it is possible that the 8mm B meant "just under 8mm" or that 8mm grenades were refitted with an appropriate rod and the 'B' added to distinguish them from the regular 8mm. It is certainly feasible but I would like to see some contemporary evidence, such as a Belgian grenade manual, to confirm the 8mm B in Belgian use. Perhaps a member has something that definitely ties the 8mm B to Belgium.

The 7mm grenade was destined for Mexico but the entire stock was purchased on 1 August 1914 by the War Office, however the muzzle clutch (collet) was replaced by a muzzle clip (like a Terry's clip) suited to the SMLE.

 

[Bonnex]

Gau 8,

I recommend Landers' book "Grenade" and Lynn's "Grenade Recognition Manual" for more details on this and other British grenades. I think Lynn's book is out of stock (try ebay or Abebooks) but Landers' book is available from Jeremy Tenniswood in Colchester (militaria.co.uk).

 

[sgtlynn]

Thanks for the recommendation Norman :bigsmile: As it happens I still have a few available. Not many, but a few.

 

[usa1918]

I second Bonnex's recommendations. Have both (bought mine both from Darrol about a year ago) Use them all the time

 

[Gau 8]

Hi, thanks for the information, does anyone know how many of these grenades were made? I was wondering which of the number two's are the rarer sort, the rifle grenade or the hand grenade.
Thanks
Gau 8

 

[Bonnex]

Hi, thanks for the information, does anyone know how many of these grenades were made? I was wondering which of the number two's are the rarer sort, the rifle grenade or the hand grenade.
Thanks
Gau 8

The least common is a No 2 with a rope handle
Then rifle grenades (because most were converted to hand grenades)
Then long handled hand grenade
Then short handled hand grenade

 

[Millsman]

Also pretty rare was someone who survived using them without killing themselves!

 

[Bonnex]

The attached is an extract of No 2 grenade contracts. It may be incomplete and/or contain errors but it gives you some idea of how many No 2 grenades were procured for British service. Snufkin has done a great deal of work on contracts since I produced the document from which the extract is derived so he be able to add to, or correct, the table. First column is the Contract No.

View attachment Contracts - No 2 Grenades.pdf

 

[Snufkin]

Nothing much to add, Norman.

For the week ending 30 December 1916, TWSD records show total number of No.2 grenades despatched since August 1914 of 125,477, comprising 122,780 to France and 2,697 to "other".

It is interesting that the No.2 was still being made up to September 1916, sometimes 200 a week, sometimes 2,000 a week, when its successor - the No.19 - had already had its production terminated. It's worth mentioning for comparison that for the year January-December 1916 the total of No.19 despatched was 929,314, according to TWSD figures.




Tom.

 

[Gau 8]

Hi, thanks for the information Bonnex and Snufkin.
Gau 8