Near Mint INERT WW2 No.36M Mk I British Mills Grenade by A. Kenrick & Sons dated 1940

Here on offer is near mint example of a now INERT WW2 No.36M Mk I British Mills grenade, by A. Kenrick & Sons, of West Bromwich, Birmingham, England, dated 1940.

This is the best example I have ever had the privilege to own and it is in near mint condition, with just the slightest darkening to the steel lever.

The No.36M Mk I “Mesopotamian” variant was specially designed and waterproofed with shellac for use in the hot climate of Mesopotamia in 1917 at first and remained as the British army's standard hand-grenade from the 1930s to 1972.

The front of the cast iron “pineapple” body of the grenade, has the letter K surrounded with three stars stamped on it, which indicates the manufacturer of the body was the ironworks of Archibald Kenrick & Sons, of West Bromwich, Birmingham, England. During WW2, the company manufactured 7 million hand grenades and 1.5 million 2-inch mortar bombs to aid the war effort.

The grenade retaining pin can be removed and the safety lever released, but if you do want to do this, please be very careful as the striker will fly out of the bottom like a bullet, if the base plug is removed.

Also getting the striker back in place against the spring pressure can be awkward.

The steel safety lever displays a clear K and three stars maker’s make on the front.

On the front is the filler plug, which is an unusual example being made of black plastic, with a square hole, to secure or remove it.

It has a knurled edged Zinc base plug that is stamped with various ordnance and foundry markings, being:

No. 36M Mk I
S F Z
40

It looks like there is also a very faint A. Kendrick & Sons mark, being the K surrounded by three stars, in the left hand corner.

I believe the S F is a foundry mark, but I can’t identify this. The Z is for Zinc and the 40 dates it to 1940.

These grenades were made from a number of individually manufactured parts, body, base plug etc, that were made by different manufactures and then assembled. So, it is unusual to find such a mint example with all the parts being made by one maker.

This fine example would be almost impossible to upgrade and would take pride of place in any grenade collection.

PLEASE NOTE: This item is free from explosives (FFE and contains no explosive elements or parts thereof).

It measures 4” (10.3cm) high (to the stricker pin) and is approximately 2.3” (5.8cm) diameter.

It weighs 585g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52366