Un-Finished Mills 36

[Andy Naude]

Saw these two un-finished Mills 36 genades for sale. The one has a top hole drilled the other not.

Are they of any special interest?

What does the E F stand for ?





Could these be training or Drill grenades ?

 

[Millsman]

Key point. In the first photo there are no manufacturers initials on the segment under the filler hole area. This was mandatory for Mills 23 and Mills 36 from 1917 onwards.

For the last three years or so I've seen these 'unfinished bodies' for the No 5 and the No 36 at Miitaria fairs and have bought one of each. I am convinced they are modern copies i.e fakes. Those 36's that I have seen with makers initials are unclear and look like casts from casts. Also the holes in the bases are not always round.

At the last Chatham fair there was a dealer who had a box of about 20 of the 'unfinished bodies' for sale and I was able to get a look at them. They showed all the characteristics I've stated.

So my first impression is that these two are also modern copies.

The only alternative I can think of is that they are late (post WW2) South African models but even these often had a O mark on the front face.

John

 

[Andy Naude]

Thank you William. Thank you very much. I'm not into grenades, but this info does help. I'll pass on these.

Thank you.

Andy

 

[Snufkin]

They are genuine unfinished WWII South African made castings. At a current price of R380 are worth a punt.




Tom.

 

[Millsman]

What's the EF Tom? More than a mould mark?

John