My Exceptionally Modest Collection..........

[Edwardc]

Not been collecting long, and I am not going to be a voracious collector lol but this is what I have so far.........

First up is my 1916 No5 Mills, I got this because I found lots of bits of Mills on a WW1 Bombing School site and got curious....... The inner tube, det and spring are Repros, I have the original spring but its a bit weak and I dont want to ruin it......

 

[Edwardc]

Then I obviously wondered what the differences were between a No5 and No36 so I brought one of them aswell. Its stamped with the Kenrick K and has the original inner tube, spring, pin, striker and filler plug but a repro lever and det. I think it was a trainer based on the white paint and holes but it has a green (amatol) filling band round the middle and a bunch of red 'X's round the top. i dont know if these are contemporary with the grenade? Comments welcome

Then there is a Hispano-Suiza 20mm round, not sure what one it was but i brought this purely to practise sectioning. its not quite finished yet as it needs more sanding but that can wait. The exercise was a success......

 

[Edwardc]

Then I have a French WW1 'Beehive' timer that was sectioned by someone else but polished by me. I have this one out on display.

Then last is the bunch of bits I have picked up field walking recently that got me into collecting this sort of stuff.

I think my favourite bits are the No5 and the Beehive, the No5 as its the first thing i got and if only it could tell stories. The Beehive because I quite like fuze's as it amazes me the level of craftmanship that went into what was essentially a disposable item........

I quite like sectioned items so i think when I get something else it will be a sectioned Mills, would like to try my own Mills section though.....

I have spent a total of 92.50 on my ordnance collection so far, if the missus finds out....... :tinysmile_hmm_t2:

 

[hicky1300]

Very interesting & well done Ed. As to the missus - use my old Sqn Motto (signature)!! after today at Ciney I`m so in it!!
Good luck

 

[Edwardc]

yeah it hidden in boxes lol she wont twig and then when she does i can pretend i have had it all along......

 

[bacarnal]

Even though it is modest, it's a start. On this side of the pond the No 5 is a rare bird and the No 36, though semi common, still is harder to find than the MK 2. Neat items and thanks for sharing. Cheers, Bruce.

 

[Edwardc]

after much deliberation with regards the No36, I wiped it with a damp cloth. The red 'X's came straight off without rubbing. The green band half came off, and the rest of the green was dealt with with a alcohol wipe.

Seems someone tried to make it something it wasnt with a water soluble pen or a felt tip lol........ So its definately a No36 training gren. Originally painted white.

 

[dano1917]

Not been collecting long, and I am not going to be a voracious collector lol but this is what I have so far.........

First up is my 1916 No5 Mills, I got this because I found lots of bits of Mills on a WW1 Bombing School site and got curious....... The inner tube, det and spring are Repros, I have the original spring but its a bit weak and I dont want to ruin it......

Very exceptional indeed edwardC, some very nice and desireable stuff, keep on keepin' on!! Dano

 

[Edwardc]

its grown slightly, and i have found a way to present my items a bit better

 

[ehre_treue]

this is a wonderful collection. I have recently found an interest in Mills Grenades and was wondering where I can find a manual on WW1 Mills Grendaes as well as the rods used on the Rifle Grenade Variant. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Edwardc]

i think repros of both are available on ebay, i have a few ground dug rods that i cleaned up but again repros are available on ebay.

if i come across anymore then i will grab em and let you know. It took me ages to find a ww1 gren manual, and what i did find was the manual handwritten by a british soldier at a grenade school. i got it from here

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/heritage/previousseminars/World_War_I/royal_armouries/index.html

phone or email that guy and he will be able to supply you a hi-res copy on a cd for a cost. he is very helpful.

this is the notebook i got from them, its good and covers his training on british, french and german grens

Notebook of J. M. Y. Trotter relating to his training at Godstone Grenade School 1917

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Edward,

A superb collection indeed!!!

Love your sectionized beehive fuse - humm, having seen your one, you have "inspired" me to attempt to sectionize one of my duplicates.............after I work out how to pull it apart without damaging it!!! (LOL)

Cheers
Drew