Rare, Mint, British, WW1, Cup, No. 23 Rifle Grenade, No.1. Mark 1. Sn - 21608:8 Cup, No. 23 Rifle Grenade, No.1. Mark 1. Sn - 21608:8 Miscellaneous

This is a rare, near mint British WW1 era Cup, No. 23 Rifle Grenade, No.1. Mark 1 attachment for a SMLE rifle to launch the rodded number 23 and 36 Mills hand grenades. This simple pressed steel attachment was introduced in 1916 and held the number 23 grenade with a short rod, which replaced the earlier specialised rodded grenades. The attachment was held to the rifle by attaching the bayonet through a slot in the bottom of the holder and fixing the bayonet to the rifle. This attachment was replaced by the sturdier Burns 2 ½ inch discharger in 1917 which had an adjustable vent on it to vary the range and replaced the rod with a flat screw on base which stopped severe bore wear and bulged barrels with the rodded grenades. See pages 73-74 in ‘GRENADE’ British & Commonwealth Hand & Rifle Grenades by Rick Landers. The price for this rare accessory includes UK delivery and no licence is required to possess this inert grenade discharger in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. N.B. The SMLE rifle, P 1907 bayonet and number 23 mills grenade are shown to demonstrate the fitting of the cup discharger to the rifle and are not included in the sale. Sn 21608:8