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WWI US grenade fuse

timmymac

timmymac

Well-Known Member
I picked up this gas grenade the other day and was surprised to see that the spoon (lever) had been stamped. I had never seen a 3" spoon with markings. Problem is the marking, "M10!2" should have the longer (4") spoon. Before it arrived I thought it had the wrong fuse, or at least the bouchon. The MKII gas should have the early MKII type fuse as did just about everything during that time did. But these little grenades aren't exactly everywhere & I really wanted one for my WWI collection, so I got it thinking I can switch the bouchon when I get one, no biggie. Anyway, my question is has anyone else run across this? The marking clearly shows it should be a 4" spoon but its what appears to be a factory 3". I have talked to Darryl, and he agrees that markings on spoon don't agree with physical characteristics.
 

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Just going by the pubs that I have, your fuze should be a MK III (MK II Bouchon w/2" Ensign Bickford Fuse and a No. 8 Detonator). If ANYTHING the fuze, if a later iteration, with a full bouchon (no cut out), it should be one of the M6 series fuzes, which used the #8 cap, like what the WP grenades used. The M10 Series used the #6 cap and was usually termed an igniting cap, though a #6 can still blow your fingers off (had an Uncle Bob who was a powder monkey that could have attested to that). I have some relic MK II Bouchons if you want to PM me.

Also, what is the diameter of your grenade? 2 3/4" or 2 1/8". 2 3/4" is an HS and 2 1/8 is a KJ (Stannic Cloride). Cheers, Bruce.
 
Hi. Nice WW1 gas gren. However, I'd suggest the spoon was modified (shortened). These two short spoons were recovered from the Guadalcanal area. You cannot make out the stampings on one of them, due to pitting. But I have seen one similar with a triangle markers mark. The other is an early M10A1. Interestingly, the reinforcing ridge goes the opposite way on these two. Cheers
 

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That's more like it! Thank you Bruce, fuse cleaned up nicely!!
 

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bacarnal said:
Glad it worked out for you. Sorry it was in such poor condition when you got it. Cheers, Bruce.
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Bruce, my email servr is down. I sent you an email but didn't go through. This one cleaned up nicely , then troves guts and .....,..Can't thank you enough! If I can help you in any way, just gimme a shout!
 

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Just realised , I've got one of these . Original paint & it's grey . Hope this helps . Mike.
 
timmymac said:
Bruce, my email servr is down. I sent you an email but didn't go through. This one cleaned up nicely , then troves guts and .....,..Can't thank you enough! If I can help you in any way, just gimme a shout!
Click to expand...

What did you use to clean it? Thanks, Bruce.
 
bacarnal said:
What did you use to clean it? Thanks, Bruce.
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Bruce I let it soak in EVAPORUST all morning, washed that off w/soap & water with toothbrush. Then an hour or so in silicon lub. Then had go use Dremmel w/ cutting wheel to remove rest of spring/striker/pin.
one of these days I'll learn to take a "before " picture before I start something like this!
 
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Well I gave in & had to see how it would look with something closer to std grey they were issued with.
 

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