British Grenades - Section 2

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BRITISHGRENADES
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Section2AlphabeticSeries
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1995&2012
NormanBonney
SECTION 2
1
ALPHABETIC SERIES
2 This part of the pamphlet deals with a previously largely unrecorded

series of grenades that were hurriedly designed and introduced in
response to the demands of GHQ France for chemical grenades following
the notorious use of gas by the Germans in April 1915. In fact the first
demand for chemical munitions had arrived on the desk of Colonel
Jackson of the War Office branch Fortifications and Works 3A several
months earlier and some work on noxious substances had already
commenced as a result. The communication is shown below:
Fowke E-in-C GHQ to Lt Col Jackson FW3A 3.12.14
I have been asked to provide stinkpots! Also I
know nothing of them beyond their association
with the dark ages. They want some kind of hand
grenade which will create smoke and stink as
well as scatter deadly missiles. - Do you know
of any composition which will produce the
desired result?
3 Some 50 substances had been investigated when in January 1915
scientists at Imperial College, South Kensington discovered the
powerful lachrymatory effects of ethyl iodoacetate (code named SK after
South Kensington). Trials with glass flasks filled SK contained in tin
canisters were completed very quickly but supply to the front had not
commenced by the time of the German offensive on 22nd April 1915. The
use of cylinder gas by the Germans prompted similar development work
in Britain. Pending this development various chemical grenades would
be issued to the BEF in France.
4 The design of the empty grenades was influenced by the likely
chemical fillings and also by the means of projection. Three basic
chemical categories were identified:
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4.1 Chemicals reacting with tin-plate.

4.2 Liquids not reacting with tin-plate.
4.3 Solids not reacting with tin-plate.
and designs Types A, B and C were rapidly produced to meet the
immediate demands. Further designs followed to accommodate the
specific requirements of the fillings and to economise in container
manufacture. In most cases the form of projection was to be a bomb
engine, either a trench catapult or the West Spring Gun.
5 The first grenades were issued in May 1915 using sulphur dioxide,
an irritant, and carbon bisulphide, an incendiary and asphyxiating
substance used for destroying animal pests. To increase their efficiency
both materials were mixed with capsicine, a sternutator. In the latter
half of 1915, with the exception of SK, grenades were supplied with
fillings described as annoyers. These were Hillite, a mixture of
capsicine and magnesium carbonate; Westonite, a mixture of sulphur
chloride and bromine; and white phosphorus or Fumite.
6 In January 1916 the General Staff ruled that all of the annoyers
were of no military value announcing the demise of most of these
chemical grenades. In the autumn of 1916 there was renewed interest in
the use of chemical grenades, particularly hand grenades, for the
clearing of dug-outs. The MSK Type Q grenade was re-introduced at this
time using a Service nomenclature, improved fuze mechanisms and
fillings were soon produced and the grenade superseded but it should be
noted that the MSK Grenade was used in late 1916 to experiment at the
front with the lethal filling White Star, a chlorine and phosgene
mixture.
7 Despite their generally fragile nature examples of these chemical
grenades survive.
Part 2 Sect 2 Page 1
DATA SHEET NO 2/1 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE A

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
135 mm.
2.2
Diameter
76 mm.
Filled with fuze:
3.2
Empty without fuze or flask:
REMARKS:
7.1
The grenade was produced under War Office direction in
1915 for use with chemicals which reacted with tin plate
containers. The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring
gun. 18,220 grenades filled Westonite were ordered in 1915.
7.2
The Westonite Grenade was marked on the base with a
large blue cross. The Eastonite Grenade was unmarked.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Detonator of the Brock Lighter was formed in side of the bottom closing
cap of the container. Two copper binding wires are soldered into the
bottom cover for retaining the Brock Lighter.
199 g.
FILLING:
Chemical compositions in liquid or solid form.
Known to have been filled with:
4.1
Sulphur Chloride and Bromine (Westonite Grenade), a
green liquid.
4.2
170 cc Sulphur Dichloride (Eastonite Grenade), a green
liquid.
5
FUZE TYPE: Brock Lighter comprising Fuze, Safety and
Detonator No 8 Mk VII
6
DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of
a tin plate Shell, cylindrical in form with two end caps, the bottom one of
which is fixed and the top one removable. It is fitted internally with a
Glass Container for the chemical filling mounted on felt lined tin plate
cylinders soldered to the end caps. A copper sleeve to receive the No 8
NAB 03/12
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type A

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type A
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/2 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE B

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
2.2
Diameter
127 mm.
81 mm (Short).
react with tin plate. The grenade was projected from a catapult
or spring gun. Shorter, 3-inch cylinders, were devised to
overcome launching problems with the 5-inch container.
7.2
The designation of the shorter container is unknown but
typically, as the second version of the Type B, it would have been
known as Type B2.
76 mm.
81 mm (Short).
WEIGHT:
2.1
Filled with fuze:
2.2
Empty without fuze:
FILLING:
148 g.
135 g (Short).
Liquid chemical compositions.
5
Detonator No 8 Mk VII.
6
a tin plate Body, cylindrical in form. A copper sleeve to receive the No 8
Detonator of the Brock Lighter is formed in the top closing cover of the
container. Similarly a lead filling pipe is soldered such that it
penetrated the top cover. Two copper binding wires are soldered into the
top cover for retaining the Brock Lighter.
7
REMARKS:
Fig 1 Grenades Chemical Type B
7.1
1915 for use with liquid chemical compositions which do not
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Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type B
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/3 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE C

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
127 to 139 mm.
2.2
Diameter
76 mm.
was later confined to Red Phosphorus fillings and became the No

26 Grenade.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
617 g.
3.2
Empty without fuze:
149 g.
4
FILLING:
Phosphorus.
Solid materials notably 450 g Red (Amorphous)
5
6
a tin plate body, cylindrical in form. Two copper retaining wires and a
copper sleeve were soldered into the top closing cover to receive the
Brock Lighter. A 38 mm circular filling hole is made in the base cover.
The filling hole is closed by a soldered disc after filling.
7
REMARKS:
7.1
1915 for use with solid materials.
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type C
7.2
The grenade was designed to be projected from a
catapult or spring gun but could be hand thrown. The grenade
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Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type C
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DATA SHEET NO 2/4 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE D

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
114 mm.
2.2
Diameter
101 mm.
7.3
Hillite was used as a filling but the grenade was too light
for projection. The grenades were filled with a half charge of
explosive for training purposes.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
269 g.
3.2
Empty without fuze:
142 g.
FILLING:
114 g Ammonal.
5
6
a body was constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled
thread neck and cap. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap to
retain the Brock Lighter.
7
REMARKS:
7.1
1915 for use with solid chemicals which did not react with the
container.
7.2
gun.
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The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type D
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type D
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/5 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE E

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915 and 1916.
DIMENSIONS:
a.
Length/Height
89 mm.
Diameter
76 mm.
7.1
1915 for filling with solid materials and was used almost
exclusively as a gas training grenade filled with a small amount
of Hillite.
7.2
The grenade was re-introduced into Service as the No 33
Grenade.
WEIGHT:
a.
Filled with fuze:
206 g when filled HE.

114 g when filled Hillite.
b.
Empty without fuze:
82 g.
4
FILLING:
Sawdust and Hillite, a mild lachrymatory
composition in powder form, comprising Capsicine and Magnesium
Carbonate. Records also show that the grenade could be filled with 4 oz
Ammonal or Amatol 80/20.
5
FUZE TYPE: Brock Lighter comprising Fuze, Safety and a No
8 Detonator. For use with Hillite filled grenades the detonator tube was
filled with RFG2 or, later, Ophorite.
6
a body constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread
cap which, in the original pattern, screws into the body of the grenade.
Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap for retaining the Brock
Lighter. To permit simpler manufacture and handling the design was
changed to give a cap which screwed onto an externally formed neck.
7
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type E
REMARKS:
NAB 03/12
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type E
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/6 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE F

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
114 mm.
2.2
Diameter
101 mm.
7.3
Records only show this grenade to be filled with
Ammonal for instructional purposes. Identical in construction to
the Type D.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
468 g.
3.2
Empty without fuze:
142 g.
FILLING:
312 g Ammonal.
5
6
a body was constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled
thread neck and cap. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap
for retaining the Brock Lighter.
7
REMARKS:
7.1
1915 for use with solid chemicals which did not react with the
container.
7.2
gun.
NAB 03/12
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type F
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type F
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/7 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE G2

1
A.
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: September 1915 to replace Type
7.1
The grenade was produced under Ministry of Munitions
direction in 1915 for use with chemicals that reacted with tin
plate containers.
DIMENSIONS:
7.2
gun.
2.1
Length/Height
135 mm.
2.2
Diameter
101 mm.
7.3
The grenade Type G2 is an improved Type G differing
only in the diameter of the lower felt cylinder which, on the G2,
is greater to give improved stability of the glass container.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
Not known
3.2
Empty without fuze:
Not known
FILLING:
Chemical compositions in liquid or solid form.
5
6
DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a body
constructed from two hemispherical tin plate cups. A dome, lined with
felt, is formed in the upper cup. A tin plate ring is soldered into the
lower cup and lined with felt. The upper cup fits over the lower cup,
forming a sphere, and is removable to permit the insertion of a glass
container which is held in place by the two felt cylinders. A copper tube
is soldered into the upper cup. Two copper binding wires are soldered to
the copper tube for retaining the Brock Lighter.
7
REMARKS:
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Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type G2
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DATA SHEET NO 2/8 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE H

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
82 mm.
2.2
Diameter
76 mm.
7.2
gun.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
Not known
3.2
Empty without fuze:
345 g
4
FILLING:
Hillite, a mild lachrymatory composition in
powder form, comprising Capsicine and Magnesium Carbonate.
5
6
a body constructed from tin plate, cylindrical in form. It was weighted
with rings of tinned steel wire soldered to each end of the container. A
copper sleeve was formed in the top closing cover of the container. Two
copper binding wires are soldered to the top cover for retaining the
Brock Lighter.
7
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type H
REMARKS:
7.1
1915 for use with dry powder chemical fillings. It was only used
with Hillite and was referred to as the Hillite No 2 Grenade.
NAB 03/12
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type H
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/9 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE K

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
93 mm.
2.2
Diameter
101 mm.
WEIGHT:
a.
Filled with fuze:
Not known
b.
Empty without fuze:
114 g.
FILLING:
White Phosphorus.
5
6
a body constructed from two tin plate hemispheres, joined with a double
wrapped and soldered seam. A copper sleeve was soldered into the top
hemisphere and two copper wires are soldered adjacent to the sleeve for
retaining the Brock Lighter. The lower hemisphere was formed with a
41 mm filling hole which was covered with a soldered disc after filling.
7
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type K
REMARKS:
7.1
1915.
7.2
gun.
NAB 03/12
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type K
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/10 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE L

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
114 mm.
2.2
Diameter
114 mm.
7.2
gun.
WEIGHT:
a.
Filled with fuze:
Not known
b.
Empty without fuze or bulb:
369 g.
4
FILLING:
5
6
a body constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread
neck and cap. It was weighted with lead wire soldered around the centre
of the container. A copper sleeve was formed in the screw top closing cap
and a Sparklets CO2 bulb, to aid distribution of the powder on
functioning, was fixed to the sleeve. Two copper wires are soldered to
the closing cap for retaining the Brock Lighter.
7
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type L
REMARKS:
a.
1915 for use with dry powder chemical fillings. Only filled Hillite
and was known as the Hillite No 1 Grenade.
NAB 03/12
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type L
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/11 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE Q

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915 and 1916
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
99 mm.
2.2
Diameter
84 mm.
7.3
The grenade was re-introduced in 1916 as Grenade No
28 Mark I.
7.4
It should be noted that stocks of this grenade were used
to trial White Star, a lethal chemical comprising Chlorine and
Phosgene. The purpose of this grenade was for clearing dugouts. For identification the grenade was marked with a white
band.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled with fuze:
1022 g.
3.2
Empty without fuze:
681 g.
FILLING:
220cc SK
5
6
a body constructed from cast iron spherical in form with an internally
threaded neck to take a cast iron closing cap and burster tube. A copper
binding wire is attached to the lug on the closing cap for retaining the
Brock Lighter.
7
REMARKS:
7.1
1915 for use with SK, a powerful lachrymator.
7.2
The grenade was designed to be projected from a
catapult or spring gun but was also thrown by hand.
NAB 03/12
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type Q
Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type Q
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/12 GRENADE CHEMICAL GLASS

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION:
DIMENSIONS:
probably 1915.
2.1
Length/Height
188 mm.
2.2
Diameter
70 mm.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
514 g.
4
FILLING:
Jellite, a lethal mixture of prussic
chloroform and triacetyl cellulose with a jelly like consistency.
5
FUZE TYPE:
acid,
None, frangible container.
6
DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a
thick green glass bottle of round section. Cast into the glass is the
makers name, J MILLS & SONS LONDON.
7
REMARKS:
The development of this grenade is unknown. It
may have been produced by the War Office or perhaps the Admiralty,
since the manufacture of Jellite was organised in one of their factories.
An exhibit was donated to the Imperial War Museum by the War Office
in 1919.
NAB 03/12
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Glass Filled Jellite
DATA SHEET NO 2/13 GRENADE CHEMICAL NO I

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: May 1915
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
Not known
2.2
Diameter
Not known
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
Not known
4
FILLING:
(sternutator).
Sulphur Dioxide (irritant) and Oleum Capsicum
FUZE TYPE:
Not known
DESIGN FEATURES: Not known.
REMARKS:
7.1
1915.
7.2
33,350 ordered in May 1915.
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/14 GRENADE CHEMICAL NO II

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION:
DIMENSIONS:
May 1915
2.1
Length/Height
Not known
2.2
Diameter
Not known
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
Not known
4
FILLING:
Carbon Bisulphide (incendiary and asphyxiator)
and Oleum Capsicum (sternutator).
5
FUZE TYPE:
Not known
REMARKS:
7.1
1915.
7.2
16,650 ordered in May 1915.
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/15 GRENADE CHEMICAL SK

1
DIMENSIONS:
a.
Length/Height
Not known
Diameter
Not known
WEIGHT:
a.
Filled:
Not known
b.
Empty:
Not known
FILLING:
SK, a powerful lachrymator.
FUZE TYPE:
Brocks.
REMARKS:
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/16 GRENADE THRELFALLITE

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
Not known
2.2
Diameter
Not known
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
Not known
4
FILLING:
Threlfallite, comprising white phosphorus (about
25 g), petrol and paraffin oil.
5
FUZE TYPE:
REMARKS:
NAB 03/12
Brocks.
DATA SHEET NO 2/17 GRENADE CYLINDRICAL STONEWARE

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
Not known
2.2
Diameter
Not known
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
Not known
4
FILLING:
5
FUZE TYPE:
None, frangible container.
7
REMARKS:
A small number were issued to the Special
Companies of the Royal Engineers presumably for training purposes.
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/18 GRENADE EARTHENWARE

1
DIMENSIONS:
2.1
Length/Height
89 mm.
2.2
Diameter
57 mm.
WEIGHT:
3.1
Filled:
Not known
3.2
Empty:
Not known
FILLING:
5
FUZE TYPE:
unknown.
Not known
Match head striker and safety fuze. Burster
6
DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of an
earthenware frangible body.
7
REMARKS:
The status, filling and additional construction of
this grenade are unknown. The drawing was produced by the
Experimental Station, Porton.
Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type Earthenware
NAB 03/12
DATA SHEET NO 2/19 GRENADE SNUFF

1
DATE OF INTRODUCTION: About 1915
DIMENSIONS:
a.
Length/Height
120 mm including fuze.
Diameter
106 mm
WEIGHT:
a.
Filled:
Not known
b.
Empty:
151 g
FILLING:
Powdered mixture including snuff.
5
FUZE TYPE: Brocks match head striker, short delay fuze and
bursting composition.
Fig 1 Grenade Snuff
6
DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a
spherical cardboard body filled with the powdered mixture. The body is
fitted with central cardboard tube containing the fuze. The grenade is
wrapped in black waterproof tape. The fuze head is covered with
waterproofed paper tape and is fitted with a cloth band which is pulled
to expose the match head. The grenade is ignited with a brassard.
7
REMARKS:
The grenade was designed and manufactured by
Brocks Fireworks as an irritant grenade for use in dug-out clearing.
NAB 03/12

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British Grenades - Section 2

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1 qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjkl

2 This part of the pamphlet deals with a previously largely unrecorded

4.1 Chemicals reacting with tin-plate.

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 1

DATA SHEET NO 2/1 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE A

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze or flask:

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 2

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type A

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 3

DATA SHEET NO 2/2 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE B

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze:

Liquid chemical compositions.

Fig 1 Grenades Chemical Type B

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 4

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type B

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 5

DATA SHEET NO 2/3 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE C

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.

127 to 139 mm.

was later confined to Red Phosphorus fillings and became the No

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze:

Solid materials notably 450 g Red (Amorphous)

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type C

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 6

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type C

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 7

DATA SHEET NO 2/4 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE D

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze:

The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type D

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 8

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type D

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 9

DATA SHEET NO 2/5 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE E

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915 and 1916.

Filled with fuze:

206 g when filled HE.

Empty without fuze:

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type E

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 10

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type E

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 11

DATA SHEET NO 2/6 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE F

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze:

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type F

The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 12

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type F

Part 2 Sect 2 Page 13

DATA SHEET NO 2/7 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE G2

DATE OF INTRODUCTION: September 1915 to replace Type

The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring

Filled with fuze:

Empty without fuze:

Chemical compositions in liquid or solid form.