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Grenade blank .303?
- Thread starter cornman
- Start date
peashooter
BOCN Supporter
I would have thought it would be more likely to be a normal blank that had been manufactured from a mk7 case from either spare or rejected cases, I have quite a few of these blanks made from all sorts of head stamps.
This case is a "RG" Radway Green, "B" incendiary, "VII" Mk7 & "Z" is nitro-cellulose propellant
This case is a "RG" Radway Green, "B" incendiary, "VII" Mk7 & "Z" is nitro-cellulose propellant
Last edited:
Thanks guys, for identification. The blank was found (dug up) nearby my hometown where was heavily fought by Canadian troops in WW2. Therefore I thought that it might be a grenade blank (why use normal blanks on the battlefield?).
Does someone has a picture of a real grenade blank, so I can see the difference?
Cheers, Cornman
Does someone has a picture of a real grenade blank, so I can see the difference?
Cheers, Cornman
TonyE
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
Grenade blank
I do not have pictures to hand, but will post some later or tomorrow.
The early marks of grenade discharger are not crimped. They have an open neck sealed with a wad and shellac.
The H Mark I has the top half of the case blackened, the H Mark II is all blackened and the H Mark IV has the top and bottom thirds blackened and has a rosette crimp. The H Mark 7 has the lower half stained black and is also rosette crimped.
The H Mark III, V and Carbine Mark V were only issued in India and are unlikely to be encountered.
Regards
TonyE
I do not have pictures to hand, but will post some later or tomorrow.
The early marks of grenade discharger are not crimped. They have an open neck sealed with a wad and shellac.
The H Mark I has the top half of the case blackened, the H Mark II is all blackened and the H Mark IV has the top and bottom thirds blackened and has a rosette crimp. The H Mark 7 has the lower half stained black and is also rosette crimped.
The H Mark III, V and Carbine Mark V were only issued in India and are unlikely to be encountered.
Regards
TonyE
TonyE
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
Grenade blanks
As promised, here are some pictures of British grenade discharger blanks.
Picture 1, L. to R.
KN 18 VII, This is Cartridge S.A. .303 inch Rifle Grenade 30 Grains Ballistite Mark I, the WWI title for what became the H.Iz
E 18 VII, as above but after the introduction of the top half of the case to be blackened.
CAC 42 VII, New Zealand version of the H.Iz with top half stained purple.
R17L VII, this is Cartridge S.A. .303 inch Rifle Grenade 43 Grains Cordite M.D. Size 4 Mark II, the WWI title for the H.2.
Picture 2, L. to R.
RG 45 H4, late wartime H.4 were cordite loaded, but the 1950s examples are H.4z.
MF 45 HIV, Australian, note red tip and use of Roman “IV” still.
F N 51, early version of H.7z without case blackening.
F N 51, later version of H.7z with lower half blackened.
I have also posted some interesting training blanks on a separate thread.
Regards
TonyE
PS Yes, Tony, these were used for line throwing until replaced by the L1A1 in the Royal Navy.
As promised, here are some pictures of British grenade discharger blanks.
Picture 1, L. to R.
KN 18 VII, This is Cartridge S.A. .303 inch Rifle Grenade 30 Grains Ballistite Mark I, the WWI title for what became the H.Iz
E 18 VII, as above but after the introduction of the top half of the case to be blackened.
CAC 42 VII, New Zealand version of the H.Iz with top half stained purple.
R17L VII, this is Cartridge S.A. .303 inch Rifle Grenade 43 Grains Cordite M.D. Size 4 Mark II, the WWI title for the H.2.
Picture 2, L. to R.
RG 45 H4, late wartime H.4 were cordite loaded, but the 1950s examples are H.4z.
MF 45 HIV, Australian, note red tip and use of Roman “IV” still.
F N 51, early version of H.7z without case blackening.
F N 51, later version of H.7z with lower half blackened.
I have also posted some interesting training blanks on a separate thread.
Regards
TonyE
PS Yes, Tony, these were used for line throwing until replaced by the L1A1 in the Royal Navy.
Attachments
.303 British Grenade Blanks
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the information and photos of these. Very informative.
Any chance of obtaining a source to obtain WW2 British/Canadian inert/live (inert preferred) blank grenade rounds? I would like to add to my collection and use them for museum work, school lectures, public displays, Vetran and Legion Re-Unions, etc. while participating with my local Re-Enactment Unit.
None of us in our club have any of these for their No.4's as part of their kit; and I'm the only one in the group expressing such an interest. Same also applies to tracer, AP, AP-Tracers, incindiary, regular blanks (short and long crimp), etc. I would very much like to have these.
Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the information and photos of these. Very informative.
Any chance of obtaining a source to obtain WW2 British/Canadian inert/live (inert preferred) blank grenade rounds? I would like to add to my collection and use them for museum work, school lectures, public displays, Vetran and Legion Re-Unions, etc. while participating with my local Re-Enactment Unit.
None of us in our club have any of these for their No.4's as part of their kit; and I'm the only one in the group expressing such an interest. Same also applies to tracer, AP, AP-Tracers, incindiary, regular blanks (short and long crimp), etc. I would very much like to have these.
Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
TonyE
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
Canadian .303 rounds
I think you will have to rely on finding the rounds you want in Canada, as your Customs service is notorious for being unfriendly to any such things mailed to Canada!
There are plenty of .303 collectors in Canada so it should not be too difficult. One small point, there were no AP-T rounds in .303 other than experimental types that were never issued.
regards
TonyE
I think you will have to rely on finding the rounds you want in Canada, as your Customs service is notorious for being unfriendly to any such things mailed to Canada!
There are plenty of .303 collectors in Canada so it should not be too difficult. One small point, there were no AP-T rounds in .303 other than experimental types that were never issued.
regards
TonyE
Grenade Blank .303 British
Hi TonyE,
Thanks for the headsup.
I haven't been able to contact Canada Customs about importing any Inert/Live ammunition; and including this case ... Inert/Live Grenade Blanks.
Canada Post advises that they'll take any inert small arms ammo as long as it doesn't contain any Dangerous Goods.
I need to obtain a hard copy of the Regs from departments for the importation of this ammo type (inert or live); or for inert/live ammo, in genral, before proceeding any further. The more I know the better.
I haven't been able to find any Canadian sources yet. Then again, I've basically just started off and on a few months ago.
I may have a source for importing live long crimp .303 British blanks (non-grenade type) from a US vendor without having any Dangerous Goods paper work or hassle from Canada Customs ... at least that is what one of our re-actment members tells us. They're selling for around $46.00 USD/box of 50 rounds. I haven't been able to find any inert versions of this long crimp blank to date.
I'll be keeping a lookout for your book, for sure.
Do you kow of any Canadian sources that I could contact for such items?
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
Hi TonyE,
Thanks for the headsup.
I haven't been able to contact Canada Customs about importing any Inert/Live ammunition; and including this case ... Inert/Live Grenade Blanks.
Canada Post advises that they'll take any inert small arms ammo as long as it doesn't contain any Dangerous Goods.
I need to obtain a hard copy of the Regs from departments for the importation of this ammo type (inert or live); or for inert/live ammo, in genral, before proceeding any further. The more I know the better.
I haven't been able to find any Canadian sources yet. Then again, I've basically just started off and on a few months ago.
I may have a source for importing live long crimp .303 British blanks (non-grenade type) from a US vendor without having any Dangerous Goods paper work or hassle from Canada Customs ... at least that is what one of our re-actment members tells us. They're selling for around $46.00 USD/box of 50 rounds. I haven't been able to find any inert versions of this long crimp blank to date.
I'll be keeping a lookout for your book, for sure.
Do you kow of any Canadian sources that I could contact for such items?
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
TonyE
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
Blanks
I am not sure who made any long crimp blanks that you may find (possibly Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium), but apart from some very rare early .303 blanks from the 1890s there were no l;ong crimp blanks in British or Canadian service.
With regard to Canadian sources, may I suggest you join the International Ammuntion Association, as you will receive a membership list with interests and contact details. There web site is:
http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/
Regards
TonyE
I am not sure who made any long crimp blanks that you may find (possibly Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium), but apart from some very rare early .303 blanks from the 1890s there were no l;ong crimp blanks in British or Canadian service.
With regard to Canadian sources, may I suggest you join the International Ammuntion Association, as you will receive a membership list with interests and contact details. There web site is:
http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/
Regards
TonyE
TonyE
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
.303 Brit. Blanks
Hi Guys,
Thanks very much for your info and for the pics. Very, very helpful.
TonyE, I'll be looking up those two Canadain Organization for further research in obtaining my inert .303 British Ballistite Grenade Blanks.
Once I find out more information from Canada Customs and Canada Post on the regs of importing inert/live ammo, I hope to obtain some of the same ammo type but from British manufacturers.
Do any of you guys here know of any goood sources over in the UK, etc. to find such ammo?
Thanks again.
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
Hi Guys,
Thanks very much for your info and for the pics. Very, very helpful.
TonyE, I'll be looking up those two Canadain Organization for further research in obtaining my inert .303 British Ballistite Grenade Blanks.
Once I find out more information from Canada Customs and Canada Post on the regs of importing inert/live ammo, I hope to obtain some of the same ammo type but from British manufacturers.
Do any of you guys here know of any goood sources over in the UK, etc. to find such ammo?
Thanks again.
Rgs...Keyan (kajn65)
Me too. :wink:
And I think the other one is Canadian.
Was too late, sold by Egun today for a few Euro's.:tinysmile_cry_t4:
Attachments
smle2009
Well-Known Member
smle2009
Well-Known Member
The packet is marked C A C,Colonial Ammunition Company(either Austrailia or New Zealand) and N Z,so from New Zealand.
Canadian .303" blanks have a groove below the crimp,see pic
Tony
