Historical information

Patented by Sir William Mills the Mills Bomb Number 5 Mark I is a deeply segmented "pineapple" hand grenade introduced in 1915 and used heavily by Australian and British troops in the trenches of the Western Front
Because it was made of cast iron, the manufacturer stamped the production details directly onto the removable brass or steel base plug on the bottom - this one was made in October 1916 with no further provenance known.

Physical description

Cast iron oval shaped with deep grooves resembling a pineapple with pin with loop attached at one end inserted through two lugs at top.

Inscriptions & markings

Base - No5 10/16 QAV M