Leaderboard

Update and additional information. Having carried out further research I've established that there are at least 5 versions of the Austrian M16 Schnellwurfgrenate .However, currently I don't know the sequencial order of each particular model from a development, time line perspective. The version posted at the start of this thread is one of the rarer harder to find models which I'll describe as the 'long safety lever model' along with what I suspect is an even rarer version the 'Type 1' pictured above. Similar in appearance & pictured here is an example which I recently acquired & which I'll describe as the 'short safety lever model'. It is complete with all the internal mechanisms. Note the similar but shorter safety lever. Here with the safety lever removed and the outer shell opened up revealing the inner body of the grenade. Here we see the inner body totally disassembled showing its complexity in design. Photo source Alessio Ferronato And here we see how the grenade actually worked. Photo source Internet Here are 4 of the 5 models pictured together and which I'll describe in further detail in a later post. Not aware what the longer piece of ordinance 5th in line at the bottom is at this time. Photo source Alessio Ferronato

That would be a very nice family group, father and son both with Military Medals. The Second World War Military Medal is also much scarcer as 115,000 Military Medals were awarded during the First World War compared to only 15,000 in the Second World War.

I have over double the amount you have and I love finding the variants of the WW1 models. It just gets a little harder the more you have it seems.

Of the 40 plus WW1 grenades in my collection Austro-Hungarians are the dominant number. Always coming across another type. I find them fascinating and such a collectble 'group' I have 2 more versions of the M16 coming my way (hopefully)

Great information. From what I have been able to find, on the Austro-Hungarian grenades, there are at least 5-10 versions of each type (sometimes more), as they were made by different manufacturers. One could spend quite some time looking for all the variants for that collection.

WW1 Memorial Scroll I have noticed, these memorial scrolls are available as a reproduction and can be printed with the names, number, rank and unit of a recipient as per the originals Full size reproduction memorial plaques are also available, names can be added, same supplier as before.

Possibly he got them engraved/stamped at his army workshop before he left the service. The son also had the WW1 medals of his grandfather, who was with the Royal Marine Artillery, who also had the Military Medal (George V.), he had been stationed around Albert and Pommera (Somme).

I doubt if he went to the trouble to have them privately engraved, just kept as souvenir and never worn, also had a few bringbacks from North Africa and Austria, a Dienstglas, a Beretta pistol, which later fell to pieces! some banknotes from the Reich and the occupation money notes.

Yes it is still possible to get them stamped or engraved privately, your correct the British way to spell it is defence, my spell checker must be English American not sure how to change that on my browser, thanks for pointing that out, will take a look and try to update it

I can't remember whether they were stamped or engraved. He never wore them, because they were never mounted, but still had the original box. I recently saw an example of a star, can't remember which one, I only remember it had on the reverse: W. GILL and his service number, can't remember unit. May have been a Commonwealth issue. N.B.: Spelt as "DEFENCE", see same.

It's possible he got his name engraved privately but they were never issued named. Also of interest are the Canadians, whilst their War and Defense medals were the exact same as the British they were actually made from silver rather than the British which were cupro-nickel. The Indian , South African and Australians also had there own Defense medals which were a totally different design.

Here is a WW1 era Austrian Schnellwurfgranate M16 grenade, also called the cigaro. A very interesting design, the grenade is enclosed in a outer shell that breaks apart in flight, leaving a cylindrical grenade body. The first and last image I found on the internet, the first is showing the entire grenade with the outer casing and safety handle in place. The last image shows the interior in use.

I did manage to find the smaller version of this grenade. It is a dug example, but these are getting really hard to find.

That's very unusual I've never come across that before, as usual there may have been exceptions to the rule but generally they were issued unnamed, perhaps because he got the Medaille Militaire which was named the others were named at the same time? Another interesting fact is no more than five stars could be worn at any one time, those who qualified for more received a clasp to be worn on the appropriate star. Got the spell check changed it was set to English (United States) now fixed

As far as I remember, all the medals of a soldier, who served in North Africa, Italy and finally Austria, had all his medals named - these I saw around 1970, including the Military Medal and Medaille Militaire, fr. (reverse was engraved or stamped?), Africa, Italy, 1939-45 Medal and Star as well as Defence Medal, there was also the Territorial Medal with this. He lived in Chingford/Essex, was a post-war bank manager, he had the rank of "sergeant" and with the 8th Army during the war. Name was CARTER, Sergeant, he was either Rifle Brigade or "Green Howards". Also, his grandfather (mother's side), can't remember the name, was with the Royal Marine Artillery in France, on the Somme in 1914-18, at Albert, Pommera, etc., and he also won the Military Medal. So Carter jr. has two military medals in his family. I hope he has kept them till this day.

Ok, thanks. I was wondering about that. I appreciate the info.

Paul British stars were never named, the only countries who named their stars were India, Australia and South Africa

I have a question on the Campaign/Star medals. How common is it for them to be named? I see a lot for sale that are just blank, with only a few named. Just curious

Pacific stars are harder to find, I can sometimes go for months without having one in stock, where as all the others are pretty much in stock most of the time. The Atlantic star is next rarest, then the Burma, then France and Germany, Africa, Italy and most common the 39-45 star.

Part II of this important historical film (1942)

Clasps are always rarer, but did not realise the Pacific Star was next rarest. This RAF man, a signaler, had the Burma star. This ribbon bar was on the tunic as arrived, however, a poor quality, early post war paper-type garn with a celluloid covering. Interesting to note, he had the Defence Medal, but not the War Medal. Tunic dated 1944.

The Pacific is the rarest after the Aircrew, then there are also the clasp combinations such as a Pacific star with a Burma clasp which is rarer again.

Have just purchased this latest medal The Atlantic Star, probably the rarest of the series after the Aircrew Europe Star.

Here we have another made British helmet stamped FS 201 = Thomas Firth & Sons Ltd of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer & Steel Supplier ) with Heat/Batch No 201. Helmet in good condition still has it's liner and chinstrap. Photo's from other sources.

Here we have another made British WW1 helmet stamped LS 21 these marks are thought to be the Leadbeater & Scott Co of Sheffield but this has never been proven. Photo's from other sources.

Keep it under your hat!

Yes it's a nightmare, it's legal for you to have it, but you can never sell it or even give it away. Unless you get it deactivated to EU/UK spec which will totally ruin it and could end up costing as much as the gun is worth. Then you need to inform the Home Office Serious Violence Unit that you have it and give them your name and address, then if you do sell it, you need to inform them again and give them the name and the address of the person you sold it to.

Really confusing I have an old spec de-act mg34 with Birmingham proof house very. Had it for years.

Here we have another British made WW1 helmet stamped D/A 81 = James Dixon & Sons Ltd of Sheffield ( Manufacturer ) and Edgar Allen & Co Ltd of Sheffield ( Steel Supplier ) and Heat/Batch No 81 of steel used. Helmet has US 91st Wild West Division emblem on front. Photo's from other sources.

Here we have a British made WW1 helmet stamped M/A 1 = J&J. Maxfield & Sons Ltd of Sheffield ( Manufacturer ) and Edgar Allen & Co Ltd of Sheffield ( Steel Supplier ) this has to be the first batch of steel this company produced in 1916, helmet in very good condition for it's age still has it's original liner and chin strap. Photo's from other sources.

In this photo there seems to be even more detail associated with the safety lever. I haven't seen this part of the mechanism on any of the few images to be found on the net. Described as Model 16 Cigaro type 1. Photo source Wikipedia I've just had a nice example of this rare grenade come my way. Outer shell,inner grenade, some of the internals. No safety lever. If I can obtain the dimensions perhaps I can have one made. I'll post pics once its landed.

Here is a Luftwaffe map dated 1941 of Russia. Big size, about 135mm x 116mm. Not something for cockpits, but for HQ and staff offices.