Any buddy help me ID this device? Has some paper on it and looks like it says signal grenade. Filled with paper wrapped like a toilet .
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British No.31 or No.51 rifle signal grenade
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No.31, No.32 or No.51 :-)
.303-inch Rifle Grenade No., 31, Daylight Signal Mark IV.
This is similar to the Mark III night signal, except that a different form of signal is used, viz., a smoke candle instead of stars. The colour is indicated by serpentine lines stencilled on the body of the grenade.
.303-inch Rifle Grenade No. 32, Night Signal, Mark III. (Plate 43.) The body is cylindrical and made of tin. The base cover, also of tin, is a sliding fit over the rear end of the body, and after the grenade has been filled, it is secured to the body by means of a paper band pasted over the joint. A steel washer screwed to také a steel rod 15 inches long is soldered to the outside: of the base of the cover. The top of the grenade is closed by means of a tin plate lid soldered on, having a central hole. Over this hole is soldered a boss threaded to take the striker chamber. The striker chamber is tubular, enlarged at the base to form a recess for the head of the igniter and is threaded to suit the screwed boss on the head of the grenade. The striker, which is Inade of brass, is held in position by a copper shearing, wire which passes through holes drilled in the striker and striker chamber. A brass cover is secured over the striker chamber by means of solder, and a safety pin passes through corresponding holes in the cover, striker chamber and striker. The ignitel', which is not placed in position until the grenade is ready for firing, consists of a .410 Ely cartridge case, cut down and fitted With a percussion cap, secured to a length of safety fuze giving a time of burning of about three seconds. When the igniter is not in position the end of the igniter tube on the top of the grenade is closed by means of a tear off " damp-proof disc." The grenade is filled through the bottom. A primed disc attached to a perforated felt wad is placed at the top of the grenade With the primer disc next to the igniter chamber. Strands of quick-match are passed through the perforation and connect the igniter chamber' With the interior of the grenade. The stars consist of cardboard cylinders filled With composition, and are inserted in the grenade so that the primed ends are in contact With the felt wad and quick-match. The parachute cord and parachute are folded round a paper tube and inserted behind the stars. Felt wad and cardboard discs are placed behind the parachute to make a secure package; the base cover of the grenade is then placed in position, so that the metal tube secured to the base cover passes into the paper tube. The base cover is then secured to the body of the grenade b-y means of a paper band.
The body of the grenade is painted drab and has coloured dots painted on the side to show the colour and order of the stars. The dots are so placed that, when the grenade is in position for firing, the order of the stars is indicated as they will appear on functioning.
Action.
Before firing remove striker chamber with cover, tear off dampproof disc and insert igniter. Replace striker chamber with cover; then withdraw safety pin. On shock of discharge the striker sets back and fires the cap and this in turn ignites the safety fuze. This burns for about 3 secondsb eforei gniting the bloWingc harge; at the samet ime the quick-match priming of the signalling device is lighted. Explosion of the blowing charge blows out the base and the stars and parachute are ejected. At extreme height of trajectory, the parachute opens out and supports the burning stars.
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Thanks for the quick response and all the detailed info on the grenade. I can always count on the forum to get the best answers.Comment
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