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Restored M17 Impact Frag., Rifle grenade.

T

tommatt3

Active Member
I purchased a U.S. MK II type body on line a number of years ago. It was from a M17 fragmentation, impact, rifle grenade. I am in the process of restoring it. It is still 'in the shop'.. However, the pre WWII training version or 'practice' grenade, T2E1 was finished today... Here it is. Still needs the nomenclature markings in white. It is displayed with a U.S. M1 launcher for the M1903 series rifles.
 

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  • Dummy T2E1 rifle Grenade, and M1 Launcher for M1903..jpg
    Dummy T2E1 rifle Grenade, and M1 Launcher for M1903..jpg
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I finaly finished my restoration of the U.S. Frag., Impact, Rifle Grenade. rather than a M17 as planned, I finished it as an early WWII T2. These were yellow, and adopted as the M17. I have seen information on a few web sites stating that the M17 was an adapter used with and allowing the use of the MKII as a rifle grenade. This is not the case. The T2 series and M17 types were issued as complete rounds, The tailfin and fuse assembly have different size threads than the MKII fuse well. This T2 body has 5/8" - 18 threads. Here are some pictures of my project. The body has been drilled with a 1/4" hole to show it is inert. Shown wtih my dummy T2E1 practice grenade.
 

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  • T2 Rifle Grenade, with container..jpg
    T2 Rifle Grenade, with container..jpg
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  • T2 body markings and filler plug..jpg
    T2 body markings and filler plug..jpg
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  • Dummy rifle grenades, T2 impact, top, T2E1 practice, bottom.jpg
    Dummy rifle grenades, T2 impact, top, T2E1 practice, bottom.jpg
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I finaly finished my restoration of the U.S. Frag., Impact, Rifle Grenade. rather than a M17 as planned, I finished it as an early WWII T2. These were yellow, and adopted as the M17. I have seen information on a few web sites stating that the M17 was an adapter used with and allowing the use of the MKII as a rifle grenade. This is not the case. The T2 series and M17 types were issued as complete rounds, The tailfin and fuse assembly have different size threads than the MKII fuse well. This T2 body has 5/8" - 18 threads. Here are some pictures of my project. The body has been drilled with a 1/4" hole to show it is inert. Shown wtih my dummy T2E1 practice grenade.
Click to expand...

Very nice tommatt3 !!

You have done a wonderfull job on those, I particularily like the stencilling, finishing touch!! Also like the cardboard container - nice items well done!!

regards Kev
 
Good effort tommatt3, the stencilling must have been difficult. Did you cut them yourself?
Dave.
 
Gentlemen,.. thank you for your encouraging remarks.... butterfly and SG500.. the "stenciling" is a text print out on Ink Jet Decal Paper, and applied as a decal. I had to use black text on my T2E1 practice grenade, as most printers do not print in white. The text on the T2 is brown and blue.
 
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I put together a representative M17 rifle grenade, to round out the display. I had to use black text on this one also, as the yellow faded away on an O.D. background. Group photo shows (L to R) T2 Frag, T2E1 Practice, and M17 Frag inert dummies.
 

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  • 8-1-10, Dummy M17, painted and assembled, need decals..jpg
    8-1-10, Dummy M17, painted and assembled, need decals..jpg
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  • The family, T2, T2E1, M17, dummy rifle grenades..jpg
    The family, T2, T2E1, M17, dummy rifle grenades..jpg
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a w e s o m e

Beautiful work, makes a nice "3 set". When the restorations are done correctly it does make a huge difference. Again, well done........Dano
 
tommatt3 said:
Gentlemen,.. thank you for your encouraging remarks.... butterfly and SG500.. the "stenciling" is a text print out on Ink Jet Decal Paper, and applied as a decal. I had to use black text on my T2E1 practice grenade, as most printers do not print in white. The text on the T2 is brown and blue.
Click to expand...

Very nice job Bro. If you want those letters in white, you can buy white ink jet decal paper, then set your background color as close as possible to your grenade color, then set the font to white. You will then have white lettering. :) I use that method for yellow markings on M433 HEDP replicas. Works very nice. GROG
 
tommatt3, Very nice resoration. I am impressed.

However, I have several "Grenade Manuals/Pamphlets" from WWII and they both do not mention a T2 or even a M17. On the M17, I know it existed because I had one. It came in three parts: 1) Tail assembly, 2) Threaded extension which is about 1" in length and threaded on both ends. One size will fit the adapter and the other smaller one is for a M2 Fragmentation. When I sold it about 5 years ago, before I let it go I had a friend of mine duplicate the adapter and he did it very well. I have a genuine adapter for the M17 if anyone wants to see it?

Mark
 
Hi. I got this one from a friend in the UK about 10 years ago. I have always assumed its an original M17. It also accepts the standard MkII body. Cheers
 

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  • M17.jpg
    M17.jpg
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Kiwi,
that is an M17 set up in that picture. You can also see the adapter in between the top of the grenade down to the

Mark:tinysmile_shy_t:
 
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V40 said:
I have a genuine adapter for the M17 if anyone wants to see it?

Mark
Click to expand...
HELL YEAH!

Is it anything like the mine/grenade adapter? One side is coarse threaded to screw into the grenade, the other fine threads to screw into firing devices. GROG
 
You know something? I have completely, for some reason, not been able to remind myself about him. Guess it is retirement really setting in!

Thanks for reminding me about him friend. By the way do you still have that AT we traded for a few years back? You got the INERT AT and you sent me a bunch of your CD's and something else and I really can't remember what that was to?:tinysmile_sleep_t:

V40
Mark
 
V40 said:
You know something? I have completely, for some reason, not been able to remind myself about him. Guess it is retirement really setting in!

Thanks for reminding me about him friend. By the way do you still have that AT we traded for a few years back? You got the INERT AT and you sent me a bunch of your CD's and something else and I really can't remember what that was to?:tinysmile_sleep_t:

V40
Mark
Click to expand...
Of course Mark! Never get rid of that piece. It's with the LAW I have. Haven't been able to find a cheap Dragon to go with it yet, but still looking. I think the trade was for a couple 37s and a 26.5 launcher. I want to see if I can locate some un-used front and rear pieces for it. Good to see you here, Bro, GROG
 
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