no.69 - unscrewing body halves

[batonroundcollector]

i can't unscrew mine - any tips? on anything else i guess you could run under hot water to release but i don't want to get the insides wet/damage the bakelite...

 

[siegfreid]

Try freezing it first then put it in hot water . You certainly won't damage the Bakelite , it's virtually indestructible ! No 69 bodies are notoriously difficult to get apart as they were sealed with Petman cement . Hope this helps.

 

[BMG50]

I remember a young lad who flooded the market with 69 grenades about 7-8 years ago he found about 2000 of them, all in mint condition with the cardboard det tubes inside intact. I had a few and he showed me how to break the seal to open them. What you do is very slightly pinch them in a smooth vice just a fraction, you can just see the bakalite flex (quite strong old stuff) , you only need to do this a fraction of a mm. You do this around the middle where the join is, all around and you should be able to unscrew it. Comes apart very easily. The other way is to screw it back and forth. A good pair of leather gloves helps give a bit of grip. Try it see how you get on.

 

[batonroundcollector]

...No 69 bodies are notoriously difficult to get apart as they were sealed with Petman cement ...

Ah thats interesting - if the halves were sealed together by design then I won't break them apart.

I think the one of mine in question is one of those from garden-dug lot mentioned in another thread as there are traces of soil in the nooks and crannies (only wanted to disassemble to clean this).

Thanks both

 

[siegfreid]

The Petman cement sealer was only used as a means of preventing the ingress of moisture & to stop them from accidentally coming apart in transit or use . It was used in most British ordnance for the same reason . You won't do any harm to the originality of the grenade by taking it apart . It makes them easier to clean & display , particularly if it's full of dirt !

 

[batonroundcollector]

there's only a bit of dirt so will leave it

I have another no.69 (drill) on which the fuze assembly does not unscrew from the body, at least I can't seem to unscrew it... I am looking for the bakelite (?) insert that goes in the empty fuze assembly to simulate weight if anyone has one?? thanks

 

[Darrol]

yay . ive got mine apart . . and ive got vicious blisters on the base of my thumbs . . worth it.
thanks .Darrol.