~ Inert WW1 Mills Bomb No.5 Hand Grenade with Unusual Plug ~
The Mills Bomb No.5, introduced in 1915, was the first effective fragmentation hand grenade used extensively by the British Army during World War I. Designed by William Mills, a British engineer, the No.5 Mills Bomb became the standard grenade for British forces and was an important weapon in trench warfare, with a design that set the standard for many future grenades.
The plug is stamped ‘No.5 I 8 board arrow 6 GDP’
Design and Features of the Mills Bomb No.5:
Body:
The grenade was made of cast iron, with a grooved exterior designed to aid in fragmentation. The “pineapple” shape was intended to create fragments upon detonation, though the grooves were more for grip than specifically directing shrapnel.
It weighed approximately 1 lb 5 oz (595 g) and was about 4 inches in height.
Fuse Mechanism:
The Mills Bomb used a detonator fuse with a four- to five-second delay, allowing the thrower time to take cover before it exploded.
A safety pin and lever (or “spoon”) were fitted to prevent accidental detonation. The thrower would pull the pin, and upon release, the lever would trigger the striker to ignite the fuse.
Effective Range and Use:
The grenade could be thrown about 15-30 meters by the average soldier, though trained grenadiers could throw it farther.
The explosion would produce a lethal blast radius of roughly 10-15 meters, making it ideal for clearing enemy trenches and dugouts.
Soldiers were trained to throw the grenade with a slight underhand arc to prevent the grenade from bouncing back toward their own trench.
Production and Evolution:
The Mills Bomb No.5 was rapidly adopted due to its reliability and effectiveness. Early versions were improved upon in later models, such as the No.23 (for rifle launching) and the No.36, which was designed with waterproofing for tropical climates.
By the end of WWI, over 75 million Mills Bombs had been produced, reflecting its importance and widespread use.
Training and Inert Versions:
Inert or deactivated Mills Bombs were commonly used for training purposes. These would lack the detonator and explosive filling, allowing soldiers to practice the correct throwing technique without risk of injury.
Many of these training grenades are still around today, often collected by militaria enthusiasts.
Historical Significance:
The Mills Bomb No.5 was the first of its kind in terms of effective fragmentation, setting the standard for grenade design for decades.
It became a symbol of WWI trench warfare and represented a shift towards more modernized hand grenades in military arsenals worldwide.
The Mills Bomb continued in service in various iterations through WWII and beyond, due to its proven design and adaptability.