British grenade. A British L2-A2 fragmentation grenade.

British grenade It was adopted into service due to the need for a grenade with smaller destructive radius than the No. The grenade was one of a number of anti-tank weapons developed for use by the British Army and Home Guard as an ad hoc solution to a lack of sufficient anti-tank guns in the aftermath of the Dunkirk evacuation. Pages in category "Hand grenades of the United Kingdom" The following 12 pages are in this category, out of 12 total. William Mills, a hand grenade designer from Sunderland, patented, developed and manufactured the "Mills bomb" at the Mills Munitions Factory in Birmingham, England, in 1915. Mills bombs were packed 12 in a box with 12 igniters and a key for screwing in the base plug. B. Apr 1, 2015 · There were innumerable types of grenade designed and produced during the war- well over 50, but Mills designed a series that endured and which retains a popular awareness even today. The design was refined for the No. No display is complete without a projector. I have collected together detailed information on WW2 grenades, and posted the documents here as a single page reference source. It was the most common hand grenade used by the British troops during the First World War. 5 with a typical base plug, the No. [citation needed] William Mills, a hand grenade designer from Sunderland, patented, developed and manufactured the "Mills bomb" at the Mills Munition Factory in Birmingham, England, in 1915. Byzantine Clay 11th Century Greek Fire Grenade. [1] The Mills bomb was inspired by an earlier design of the The HG 85 (Hand Granate M1985) is a round fragmentation hand grenade designed for the Swiss Armed Forces, and is still produced by RUAG Ammotec in Switzerland. [6] The Home Guard hid caches of these grenades during the war, for use in the event of an invasion. 36 Mk. The perforated edges enabled it to fragment into many pieces of cast iron on explosion, creating maximum damage. Jul 27, 2023 · By 1918 the No. 2 Hand grenade was first introduced as a commercial design for foreign export and later pressed into British military service. Original Item: Only One Available. The 36M grenade, also called the ‘Mills Bomb’ by the British Tommy’s after its inventor, has a long and eventful history. 5 and No. 4 Enfield rifle and fires a No. 5 rifle. the No. British brigade orders issued for the Somme attack on July 1, 1916, stated that the grenade or bombing squads: each non-com would carry 6 mills bombs, 4 rifle grenades and 2 smoke; the 2 bayonet men would carry 12 mills bombs and 4 smoke; the 2 throwers carried 24 mills and 4 smoke; the Feb 3, 2017 · A competent thrower could deliver the grenade accurately to ranges of 15 to 20 yards, and the grenade truly excelled in brutal trench-clearance operations. The concept of throwing grenades made its way to Europe during the mid-17th century. One important difference between the British Army and the other ones entering into war in August 1914 was the fact it had recently participated to a conflict during the Boer Wars in South Africa, fighting a non conventional army however equipped with modern weapons. The grenade contained 8 ounces of White Phosphorus filling, with an impact fuze. This was the standard hand grenade that was used by the British Army during WW1 and through WW2, also issued to the Home Guard, Auxiliary Units, and the SOE. s 70, 73, 77, 79 and 82 "Gammon". Above, left to right are the No. 1 Grenade with attached base plate. It has a 3–4 second fuse delay (climate dependent), contains 155g of high explosive and has an effective casualty radius of 15 m (49 ft). 1915, Frangible Gas Grenade Pages in category "World War II grenades of the United Kingdom" The following 11 pages are in this category, out of 11 total. This was a variation of the "Hale's Pattern Grenade", patented by Marten Hale, an explosives expert working for the Cotton Powder Company located in Faversham, Kent. 69 grenade, changing from die cast metal to plastic, and given the designation "Fuze No. ككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككككك The various types of grenades used by the British are the anti-personnel, anti-tank, smoke, illuminating, and incendiary grenades. However, the Australians also introduced a H Mark 4 for launching the grenade from No. 54 hand or rifle grenade. During British attacks, individual “bombers” would carry up to 24 Mills bombs in green canvas buckets, each man acting almost as a form of close-quarters artillery. The British No. AMERICAN GRENADES . 247". On the Great War battlefields, the Germans sometimes returned the British grenades with a delay of 7 seconds. 5 became the standard hand grenade of the British Army shortly after it had cleared evaluations by May of 1915 and was thrust upon the enemies of the United Kingdom throughout World War 1. 69 was a hand grenade developed and used during the Second World War. Immediately after the A British L2-A2 fragmentation grenade. The L2 was like the early M26 (except it used the L25 series fuze), the L2A1 was like the product-improved M26A1, and the L2A2 was a variant of the L2A1 with a redesigned fuze well for ease of mass production. Conqueror [41] – used from mid 50s to mid 60s to give long range anti-tank support to Centurions. 9 ounces) of white phosphorus, an impact fuze and a tin casing. Unloaded or dummy grenades Any soldier with a good arm was suddenly called up to toss grenades toward enemy trenches. 85 Grenade from the No. For this reason, timed grenades ultimately won out. It could be fitted with a 4 second fuze for hand throwing, or a 7 second fuze for firing from a cup discharger, that was fitted on the end of a Lee Enfield SMLE rifle, and this allowed the Centurion [40] – main British early Cold War tank. The grenade was one of a number of ad hoc anti-tank weapons developed for use by the British Army and Home Guard after the loss of many anti-tank guns in France after Mar 13, 2018 · The German designers also came up with anti-tank grenades that were more effective than the Allied equivalents. "The British Grenadiers", performed during the Trooping the Colour 2017 "The British Grenadiers" is a traditional marching song of British and Commonwealth military units whose badge of identification features a grenade, the tune of which dates from the 17th century. Penetration of the grenades varied between each Mark and also depended on what filling was used, initially penetration of around 30mm at 30 degrees and 38mm at 0 degrees would be reasonable, with later Marks penetration of around 35-40mm at 30 degrees and 50mm at 0 degrees could be achieved. I version was introduced at the end of WWI and remained the standard British fragmentation grenade until 1972. This began in 1915 as grenade no. Nov 14, 2011 · They would lob their grenades overhead and then storm the enemy embrasures. 5, was then fitted with a tail bar to be fired from a rifle and was given the new name grenade no. 69 grenade and No. The L number in isolation is not a British Hand Grenade: Description: British Hand Grenades, or “Mills Bombs” were hand thrown by British troops during WWI to stop or slow enemy advances or clear out a bunker or bunker full of equipment or troops in the trenches. grenade [a] or simply sticky bomb, was a British hand grenade designed and produced during the Second World War. Smoke screening grenade . The grenade – a concept more than a thousand years old – still had a significant role to play. British smoke grenade with various markings, including "Grenade Hand Smoke Screening Training L83A1" designation. This list may not reflect recent changes. It was soon replaced with the No. One of the modernization moves was the creation of an airborne force. The Mills Bomb was in service for over 55 years. 36 (but not the 36M) followed in 1932. 23 Rifle grenade was not in service long. It was intended for laying down smoke screens and as a signalling device. Built to counter IS-3. No. The grenades were used by the Byzantium Empire and the last known use was in the siege of Constantinople in 1204. The L109A1 hand grenade can be thrown approximately fifty to sixty meters across a flat surface. [1] However, it proved to be not much better than the inadequate Boys anti-tank rifle and could not be improved as the size of the explosive charge was limited by the diameter of the discharger cup, [6] It was introduced into service with the Home Guard in February 1941 and was retained until the force stood-down in 1944. 18th century grenadier throwing a hand grenade. 1 - No. Mills bomb is the popular name for a series of prominent British hand grenades. [1] See full list on eliteukforces. The detonator bursts the grenade, scattering the contents which spontaneously ignites on contact with air. The L109A1 is a British Army fragmentation grenade in Squad. 95) with additional "Mark" identification added to denote variations of the basic type. An officer of the British Salonika Army demonstrates how to "lob" a Mills bomb during the First World War A worker manufacturing Mills bombs during World War I. This is the first production version of the No 83 Grenade that was introduced into British service in February 1944, as the Mk I was not produced. BRITISH GRENADES . 77 consisted of around 225 grams (7. [4] [3] The British did not immediately adopt the idea and entered World War I without any rifle grenades. 2 rifle grenade. Explore our vast collection of Militaria Grenades. 36 - Modified for cup launching, another base plug change, along with the creation of a suitable cup discharger. 1 and No. 1917 Egg) French Bertrand No. 68 grenade entered service with the British Army in November 1940. 36M remained in service as the British Army’s standard grenade until the 1970s. The hollow gray coloured fired clay grenade is similar to a small pointed swede. 34. 5 - For hand use only. info Production commenced swiftly with over 75 million Mills grenades manufactured between April 1915 and late 1918. With a range of dealers that are militaria specialist, we offer you the highest quality Grenades from around the world. Late in the war, anti-tank rifle grenades were developed. This allowed the thrower to use a grenade even when there was little in the way of defensive cover. 5’, the Mills bomb was introduced in May 1915 and became the dominant British grenade for the remainder of the war. 1 Mark III Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle, enabling it to launch a "Mills Bomb" grenade in an arc trajectory. 73 grenade. 1 was the first British hand grenade used in World War I. The M26 was developed in the post-World War 2 market to replace the wartime Mk II series which gave solid, if unspectacular, service throughout the conflict. Not all locations were officially recorded and some caches were lost. 23 had been declared obsolete and the No. Aug 5, 2022 · The birth of the British paratroopers and their grenade. During this dark hour, they served as a potential emergency reserve that could be shuttled most anywhere in the islands of the The No. After the war, grenades in British inventory were found to have bodies which were corroding due to inferior tin plate steel used to manufacture the grenades. The individual grenades are generally hand thrown, rifle projected, or, in some cases, may be either hand thrown or rifle projected. 23 plug with reinforced rod mounting features. The L number ("L" standing for Land Service) [1] or weapon identity number [2] system is a numerical designation system used for the type classification of British Army weapons and related stores. The Grenade, Hand, Anti-Tank No. [ 2 ] Overview It consisted of an elasticized stockinette bag made of dark coloured material, a metal cap, and an all ways fuze, the same fuze as was found in the No. The British used a simple numbering system for their grenades from 1908 to1952, (No. Overview Examples of training grenades for the British Mills Bomb are much less common to find than high explosive versions. It differs from the original in that it has a matte black safety clip similar to the American M67 grenade. The British Army had been using rifle grenades with rods since February 1915 with the No. 36 grenade was developed in May 1918, at the end of the First World War, by British industries and is referred to as the « Mills Bomb ». Replica No 36M grenades. This is a Byzantine clay Greek fire grenade dating to about the 11th century. [3] [5] However, as soon as the trench warfare started, there was a sudden need for rifle grenades. They were the first modern fragmentation grenades in the world. Home-made Grenades. 94 grenade, graduated to 100 yards and still packed with original grease. MkIII(1917) Yugoslavian Mod. Churchill called for 5,000 paratroopers in a letter on June 22, 1940, and he got them. 36 grenade which used a cup launcher without the need for the rod. The L2 series (with a green shell) is the British version of the M26; it has a 4. Hand grenades of World War I were either detonated by impact or by time fuse. Actually referred to officially as ‘No. Our Grenades make an impressive addition to any Militaria collection, whether you're a collector, a historian or a connoisseur. A. The British H Mk. 247 fuze type is also used on later grenades, No. [5] This is a British Grenade Projector Mark 5 for the No. May 6, 2020 · In 1902 the British War Office announced that hand grenades were obsolete and had no place in modern warfare. White phosphorus grenade The grenade number was changed to indicate overall functionality. 4 (post 1944 the Roman Mark numbers were changed to Indo-arabic) was a British made blank for launching the No. The British government purchased a rodded variant of the No 2 grenade as a temporary solution. 74", commonly known as the S. [78] L83A1/A2, L132A1 United Kingdom The Mills No. 23. There were innumerable types of grenade designed and produced during the war- well over 50, but Mills designed a series that endured and which retains a popular awareness even today. 36M "Mills bomb". It has a time delay of 4 or 7 seconds depending on the version. May 30, 2025 · Next Article Beretta 20X BOBCAT Bug Out Bag Version: pretty legit . . Little did they know that only a few years later more than 75 million grenades would been made for use in WWI. 4 second fuze. [7] The "Grenade, Hand, Anti-Tank No. Grenades – from the Spanish granada, meaning ‘pomegranate’ – consisted of small iron shells of one or two inches diameter, filled with black powder. I hope you find it useful. [5] The drivers were proved right; trials on modern British tanks confirmed that Molotov and SIP grenades caused the occupants of the tanks "no inconvenience whatsoever". 4 rifles and so had a heavier charge of cordite. 40 mm grenade: Switzerland 2006 GL1 grenade launcher: FN Herstal: 40 mm grenade: Belgium 2001 Designed for use with the FN F2000 rifle GL 40: Steyr Arms: 40 mm grenade: Austria 2009 [2] SL40 variant adopted by the Australian Defence Force: GLX 160: Beretta S. This attaches to the No. Aug 29, 2021 · 1917 photograph of a Leicestershire Regiment Bombing School officer with an array of British ordnance, his arm resting on a Mills Grenade transport box containing a dozen grenades, the label of which, pictured below, gives instructions on preparation & use. 05. 44 was largely based on the earlier No. 77 grenade was a British white phosphorus grenade introduced in September 1943 and used during the Second World War. Jul 1, 2018 · L2 marked the British military version of the American M26 fragmentation hand grenade that appeared in the early 1950s. 44 Anti-Tank Grenade (IWM) A myriad of grenade designs were developed during the war with dozens of designs entering service between 1915 and 1918. 18 The idea of a very small, compact grenade continues to modern times. 40 mm grenade: Italy 2008 GM-94: KBP Instrument Design Bureau: 43 mm grenade Second World War period British smoke grenade. [1] The L109A1 is the British designation of the Swiss HG 85 anti-infantry fragmentation grenade. This is a very nice serviced used "CUP" style grenade launcher, complete with an Inert "battlefield pickup" condition No. 15 ball grenade, also referred to as hand/catapult/spring gun, ball grenade, or by ANZACs as the cricket ball grenade, was a grenade used by the British during World War I. - O 2228 INERT DEACTIVATED. T. Aug 10, 2023 · The Mk I No. 36M anti-personnel fragmentation grenade had a cast iron body weakened by longitudinal and transverse grooves to assist in fragmentation. From traditional hand grenades to rifle grenades, our handpicked selection displays various The ST Grenade was a government sponsored initiative, by MIR(c), a group tasked with developing weapons for use in German and Italian occupied territory, and they placed the ST Grenade into mass production at Churchill's insistence, but seeing how it was operated, the British Army rejected it for the Home Guard much less their regular forces. [1] painted/stencilled (on side) [2] painted/stencilled (on base) British Grenades. Sir William Mills (1856-1932, knighted in 1922) was credited with the development of the Mk I grenade and rightly bears his name as the "Mills Jul 14, 2008 · british grenades British engineer William Mills (1856-1932) from Birmingham developed the self-named Mills Bomb in 1915 which gave the British a safe, reliable weapon for close combat. Used to block lines of sight, they can also be used for deception. This example appears to be NOS and in as new condition. It weighs a total of four hundred and sixty-five grams and can be thrown by the average male soldier twenty meters. The launcher was designed in WW1 for use with the No. After 1952 they adopted the "L" Series nomencalture for new grenade designs. Chieftain [42] – main British tank of Cold War and mid Cold War. That first British grenade, the Mark 1 used in 1914, proved highly unpopular with soldiers. Forming a canister with a 16-inch cane handle, it was ignited by removing a safety pin through the top. British Grenades. 4 Enfield Rifle. Designed by a The basic design was first used in 1923 for the No. Grenade[nb 1] or sticky bomb, was a British hand grenade designed and produced during the Second World War. Challenger 1 [43] – Main British tank late Cold War or 1980s. G. The PIAT was designed in 1942 in response to the British Army's need for a more effective infantry anti-tank weapon and entered service in 1943. HG 85 is the internal designation of the Swiss Army and replaced the HG 43 from World War II. 22lr pistol #shorts #22lr The Grenade, Hand, No. GERMAN GRENADES . Left to right: British No. 74, commonly known as the S. Dec 8, 2022 · What types of hand grenades are used by the British military? L109 HE (high-explosive) fragmentation grenade. Used in defence operations and can be used effectively in offensive operations if the user is well trained. Training grenades can be classified as inert-filled dummies for throwing familiarization, drill grenades for functional instruction, or practice versions for field training. 23 - Rod grenade capability, by changing the base plug, and developing an appropriate launching cradle (cup). 11. “It was during World War I that the grenadiers changed into bombers,” says British hand grenade collector David Sampson, who notes that the British versions of grenades were typically called Mills bombs. The concept of troops being equipped with grenades dates back to the military of the Ming dynasty, when Chinese soldiers stationed on the Great Wall used thunder crash bombs. Jan 22, 2022 · The No. It was designed in the Royal Laboratory, based on reports and samples of Japanese hand grenades during the Russo-Japanese War provided by General Sir Aylmer Haldane, who was a British observer of that war. The first modern grenade was the British Mills Bomb developed in 1915. 36 Mk. The Mills bomb was developed and manufactured at William Mills's factory in Birmingham. p. 23 Mk I with an early threaded plug to accept a rod, and last a No. 24 rifle grenade. 1917 (Copy of the German Mle. The No. Impact ignition, also known as percussion ignition, was dangerous because impact might occur before the handler got close to the enemy. Shown here are some of the world's smallest hand grenades for comparison. Hand grenades proved to be effective weapons when put into the hands of properly trained soldiers. The Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank (PIAT) Mk I was a British man-portable anti-tank weapon developed during the Second World War. 1 Mod. Wolfe’s grenadiers carried their grenades in large black-leather pouches. HE hand grenade: Fuse British version of the Swiss HG 85 Grenade. The Gammon bomb or grenade was an "improvised hand-thrown bomb used by the Home Guard, the Special Air Service and the Resistance, especially suitable for the The No. wesalwr vvwmlxja wliejc liqento wkettgd zgitix cyz lmhn bqcdl kbxmrec