Some Recent Additions to the US Collection.

[inertordnance]

Here are some recent additions to my US Collection from a Military Show In Kentucky this past weekend.

US Mk2 Yellow Body Frag with M10A2 Fuze. Body is stamped IM 50 and has threaded filing base plug. Fuze Lever has F.L.I. Manufacture Markings.

US Mk2 Practice with original container. Body is stamped T and has open threaded base. Fuze is M10 Cutback with dust cover. Markings on container label indicate a February 1939 Packing Date.

US XM166 White Smoke dated May 1969. This was an exciting find as it finally completed a set of Original XM166, XM167, XM168, XM169 Series "Mini" Smokes.

Can post some more detailed pics when I get settled in.

Stay safe,

Frank

 

[paul the grenade]

some beautys there frank.
well done finding them.
is there any markings on the practice mk2 spoon?
cheers, paul.

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Paul,

Thanks! Yes The Mk2 Practice has an M10 Stamped Fuze Lever. Attached are photo(s) for reference.

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[ordnance]

Frank,

Excellent finds. I especially like the practice grenade with the sheet metal fuze sealer. I've never seen that before in a practice version.

An interesting coincidence regarding your mini smoke grenades. I also completed my set last weekend by acquiring a green one at the Tulsa Gun Show. It was the last one I needed after many years of looking. You could have finished your set earlier if I had known you were looking for a white example as I have a spare one. Just didn't know you needed it.

Rick

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Rick,

Thanks, I should have known to try you. Just one of the many "to find / do" items on the back of my mind and everything eventually fell into place when I least expected it. Glad to hear that you also located all four smoke color variations.

On the topic of mini's, have you ever observed an example or documentation related to the rumored mini type signal in CS Gas ?

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Here are some recent additions to my US Collection from a Military Show In Kentucky this past weekend.

US Mk2 Yellow Body Frag with M10A2 Fuze. Body is stamped IM 50 and has threaded filing base plug. Fuze Lever has F.L.I. Manufacture Markings.

US Mk2 Practice with original container. Body is stamped T and has open threaded base. Fuze is M10 Cutback with dust cover. Markings on container label indicate a February 1939 Packing Date.

US XM166 White Smoke dated May 1969. This was an exciting find as it finally completed a set of Original XM166, XM167, XM168, XM169 Series "Mini" Smokes.

Can post some more detailed pics when I get settled in.

Stay safe,

Frank

Hi Frank, Nice blue trainer. You are now the owner of one VERY RARE grenade. If you ever want to sell or trade something, maybe some good scotch and cash? please keep me in mind.

This is a mint example of the very first blue trainers. What makes this a super special grenade, is the fact that it has the very first M10 fuze!!! this is a very rare bird.

Not an A1, A2, or A3....just a plain M10, and it is also a short lever, and a "cut back" fuze body. This is a RARE fuze & lever. I have never seen one before.
This lever w/ M10 only was only made for a very, very short time I think. To have the original can the grenade came in is also remarkable.

Please post more detailed photos of grenade, and the can when possible.

Regards, Steve

 

[V40]

Inertordnance,

Glad you found those "Mini smokes". SOG used them frequently. I am still looking for the other three colors, and around here they are as rare as chickens with lips.

Anybody have extras for sale?

Also are you talking about the XM54 "pocket" CS Grenade?

If there was another "Mini-smoke made with CS", I have never seen one. I would also be leaning to the "incorrect" part of this rumor. The reason being that there would not be enough of CS inside it to be very effective against anything including bunkers, dogs, or humans.

The XM58 was about bare bones minimum for this type of weapon.

Mostly used by SOG and all other SpecOps in Vietnam used the M7A2 and A3's. The reason why they carried the larger size was because it was effective for a bunker complex, dogs, and the NVA/VC

 

[ordnance]

On the topic of mini's, have you ever observed an example or documentation related to the rumored mini type signal in CS Gas ?

Frank

Thanks for asking about the mini CS. I've been meaning to post photos of that one since the mini smoke topic came up. I'm not sure if they were ever used in the field but have a test report that gives some details. I haven't read it in many years as it's a negative image on microfiche that came from DTIC long ago. I'll see if it can be found to add some supporting details.

It's interesting to note the different type of fuzing compared to the smokes using the match striker compound on the cardboard ring.

Rick

 

[inertordnance]

Thanks for asking about the mini CS. I've been meaning to post photos of that one since the mini smoke topic came up. I'm not sure if they were ever used in the field but have a test report that gives some details. I haven't read it in many years as it's a negative image on microfiche that came from DTIC long ago. I'll see if it can be found to add some supporting details.

It's interesting to note the different type of fuzing compared to the smokes using the match striker compound on the cardboard ring.

Rick

Hello Rick,

Thanks alot, your second image is just what I was referring to / looking for. It is the first image of this item that I have viewed and answers many questions. Now just have to find an actual specimen :tinysmile_eyebrow_t.

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[inertordnance]

Hi Frank, Nice blue trainer. You are now the owner of one VERY RARE grenade. If you ever want to sell it, or maybe trade something, maybe some good scotch and cash? please keep me in mind.

You appear to now be the owner a mint example of the very first blue trainers. What makes this a super special grenade, is the fact that it has the very first M10 fuze.

Not an A1, A2, or A3....just a plain M10, and it is also a short lever. This is a RARE fuze & lever. I have never seen one before.
This lever was only made for a very, very short time. To have the original can also is remarkable.

Please post more detailed photos of grenade, and the can when possible.

Regards, Steve

Hello Steve,

Thanks, I just started a separate thread with some more detailed photos of The MK 2 Practice: http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/united-states-mk-t71441.html?p=146181

Please let me know if you need additional photo(s) of a specific area.

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[jrpett]

Hello Rick,

Thanks, I should have known to try you. Just one of the many "to find / do" items on the back of my mind and everything eventually fell into place when I least expected it. Glad to hear that you also located all four smoke color variations.

On the topic of mini's, have you ever observed an example or documentation related to the rumored mini type signal in CS Gas ?

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

Frank,

Here is a link to the .pdf report about the Mini CS and XM58 grenade the Rick was probably referring to.

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=AD844203&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

--John

 

[inertordnance]

Hey John,

Thanks for the link, very interesting read. Also interesting that the CS Mini Disseminators mentioned in the test report had matchhead type fuse igniters similar to the XM Series Mini Smokes. It would appear from the linked report and Ricks Photos, that two separate types of fuzing systems were tried?

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[US-Subs]

Here's some more info. Sorry it took so long, still waiting on my books. I found this one in my electronic document files.

Please note that the text on the first page is not referring to the XM58 above it, but to figure 7-9.12, which was several pages further in the document (page 2).

Hello Rick,

Thanks alot, your second image is just what I was referring to / looking for. It is the first image of this item that I have viewed and answers many questions. Now just have to find an actual specimen :tinysmile_eyebrow_t.

Thanks again and stay safe,

Frank

 

[sgtlynn]

Thought this photo might be of interest, unfortunately the grenade is not mine:tinysmile_cry_t3:

 

[Eodtek]

Thought this photo might be of interest, unfortunately the grenade is not mine:tinysmile_cry_t3:

I have 2 with red tops and black rubber bodies. I just need to find the photos of them.

 

[US-Subs]

Rough, but they'll do till I can find an upgrade.

 

[dano1917]

Excellent acqusitions Frank. With all the collecting I have done over the years, I have yet to own a U.S. WWII MKII grenade!! Grenades and packaging second to none. Appreciate seeing the pictures. I guess you were glad to acquire these beauties....Dano

 

[inertordnance]

Here's some more info. Sorry it took so long, still waiting on my books. I found this one in my electronic document files.

Please note that the text on the first page is not referring to the XM58 above it, but to figure 7-9.12, which was several pages further in the document (page 2).

US Subs,

Very interesting material, thanks for posting!

Frank

 

[US-Subs]

Thanks for asking about the mini CS. I've been meaning to post photos of that one since the mini smoke topic came up. I'm not sure if they were ever used in the field but have a test report that gives some details. I haven't read it in many years as it's a negative image on microfiche that came from DTIC long ago. I'll see if it can be found to add some supporting details.

It's interesting to note the different type of fuzing compared to the smokes using the match striker compound on the cardboard ring.

Rick

Just recently found a 1967 reference that details the testing of a mini thermate grenade and a series of mini flares, coming in red, white, yellow and green, with a burn time of about 12 seconds. Interesting note, they mention that they used the same XM166 aluminum film can as used for the mini CS. Sorry, no diagrams included. Tests were all successful, with recomendations for approval.

 

[inertordnance]

Just recently found a 1967 reference that details the testing of a mini thermate grenade and a series of mini flares, coming in red, white, yellow and green, with a burn time of about 12 seconds. Interesting note, they mention that they used the same XM166 aluminum film can as used for the mini CS. Sorry, no diagrams included. Tests were all successful, with recomendations for approval.

Hello Subs,

Interesting information, thanks for posting! I had previously heard of the items that you describe, however had never been able to document their actual existence.

I finally recently obtained a Mini CS Grenade to make a US Mini "Grand Slam".

For small, relatively simple item(s), it sure is difficult to locate and assemble a complete original set. I have found many more Shinkle's and Beano's for sale in past years then these!


Stay safe,

Frank