No69 Grenades manufacturing dates

[paul the grenade]

Hi All.
Does anyone have any info on the dates of manufacture of the No 69 grenade? i have examples dated 1940, 1941 and 1942 and was wondering if there are any more?
cheers, paul.:tinysmile_hmm_t:

 

[Bonnex]

Paul,
I think that is it for British production.

 

[paul the grenade]

thanks Norman.

 

[Snufkin]

Hi All.
Does anyone have any info on the dates of manufacture of the No 69 grenade? i have examples dated 1940, 1941 and 1942 and was wondering if there are any more?
cheers, paul.:tinysmile_hmm_t:

Paul,

According to the contract figures, around 10,500,000 No.69 (initially denoted No.54) grenades were produced from late 1940 till early-mid 1943, and a final batch of 20,000 training ("instructional, complete, empty") No.69 were produced in September 1943. However, I don't recollect seeing a 43 dated bottom body half.




Tom.

 

[paul the grenade]

thanks tom, my drill 69 is dated 41, maybe the batch of drill grenades just used earlier unfilled bodies?
cheers, Paul.

 

[Snufkin]

To give some detail re the production figures from the files, the contracts for complete, empty No.69 service grenades were:

1,007,740 produced; ITP 29.7.40*; Contract G/5526; sign-off 5.3.41; Thomas de la Rue Ltd

1,006,000 produced; ITP 29.4.41; Contract G/7484/5; sign-off 21.7.41; Thomas de la Rue Ltd

2,000,404 produced; ITP 1.10.41; Contract G/8755; Thomas de la Rue Ltd

2,700,000 produced; ITP 25.9.42; Contract 7/1475; sign-off 22.1.43; Thomas de la Rue Ltd

2,818,000 produced; Contract 7/3119; Canada?**

1,000,000 produced; Contract G/9873; Australia?**


The dates for the last two contracts are not specified but the requirements are - e.g. Reqt 294/Dds/13882, AWO 1315 for 2,818,000 is dated September 1942.

* The date preceding the contract number is the ITP (Intimation to Proceed); the date following is the contract sign-off.

** Canada and Australia are not specifically identified, but evidence from elsewhere supports such.




Tom.