Opinions on this No 5 mills please

[pointblank0]

Hello all. Going through my garage and came across this No 5 Mills. I can't remember where I got it from now or how much I paid for it. I am thinking maybe ebay before it turned poo. It appears that someone has tried to remove a bad paint job, but looking closely, it looks mint. There are no marks on the body at all and the striker looks as if it is factory condition as does the centre tube, pin and ring. The lever is slightly rusty and the base plug is probably from another one.

My question is this, do you think this is a repro? It just looks to good to be true. I have checked for obvious signs of fakey fake, but cant find any. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[paul the grenade]

i think the body is a genuine one Rob.
I dont think the No 5 is being faked at the moment?? (if it is has anyone got pics of fakes) as ive not seen one.
cant say the same for plugs, levers, centrepieces etc.

 

[pointblank0]

i think the body is a genuine one Rob.
I dont think the No 5 is being faked at the moment?? (if it is has anyone got pics of fakes) as ive not seen one.
cant say the same for plugs, levers, centrepieces etc.

Thanks Paul. I have just noticed that the centre tube is a little loose in this body, but other ones are fine. Maybe that's the fake bit. Anyway to tell a repro centre tube? I'm looking to sell the grenade but thought I'd better check first that it IS real.

 

[paul the grenade]

if you look inside the bottom of a real alloy centre piece there should be a raised ring around the striker hole. the repro ones are flat.
paul.

 

[pointblank0]

Yep, the centre tube has a raised bit round the hole, though it is loose in this body. My other number 5 centre pieces fit fine though.

 

[gothica7]

Looks fine to me Rob,

i have one in very similar condition, been well taken back to bare metal. I have mine as a 23/1. Who knows what it is really but looks good with a 23/1 plug dated 6/16. Ile do a piccy later.

Yes Paul, they are doing No 5 bodies, i have one ime about to send to Canada for a buddy but as yet they dont seem to be finishing them, they are just 'blank' bodies. Ile see if i have a piccy of it.

Andy

 

[gothica7]

Here are a few pics of my 23 Rob. It is not so shiny as yours but i have had it quite a while. It too had a lot of paint in the grooves but i spent a lot of time cleaning all the crud out.

Sorry Paul, didnt seem to take any piccys of the fake No 5, am loath to unwrap the parcel to do some but you can find them on several reputable websites, often being sold as dummy grens for throwing practice and usually painted red.

Andy

 

[Alan Alfred]

Hi there I will buy it if you are selling, I need the parts for my No5. Send me a figure you are looking for. Thanks Alan Alfred

 

[spotter]

theres a repro here on daves site
http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/no5_mills_grenade_reproduction_w.htm

 

[pointblank0]

Thanks for the pics Andy, looks nice.