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"Exploding P14 Grenade Discharger Cups"
By Peter Laidler
Here's a couple of interesting pictures from weapons held at the Small Arms School armoury at Warminster, showing the results of grenades exploding in the cups of Patt 14 EY rifles. Notice the whip-cord binding too. Because the butt of the Patt 14 rifle was in one-piece with the stock, this whip-cord or copper wire binding was bound around the small of the butt too. Indeed, whether by accident or design, a No1 EY rifle at Warminsater is also wire bound at the butt too.
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Destroyed cup is on a Winchester Mk1* No3 rifle, serial number 118092. This was destroyed by a Home Guard trainee who inserted the grenade into the cup with the loose striker lever hooked over the outside................ Then he pulled the ring.............. Not a wise move as it detonated and blew in the cup. No one was injured
The second rifle, with banana barrel is an ERA Mk1 with a 'fat-boy' stock, serial number 484482. Exact details are not recorded but this apparently involved a rodded No36 grenade. But HOW is unclear. Has anyone any ideas. Could it have involved a rodded grenade with a ball round perhaps?
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
I wasn't there of course, and I don't know what the firers said, but I can tell you exactly what the instructors said and it wasn't ........"deary me!"
Copyright ©2006 - 2009 by Peter Laidler and MILSURPS.COM
Collector's Comments and Feedback:
1. In addition to being a trained and highly experienced military "Armourer", Peter Laidler has authored two excellent books about the No.4(T) sniper rifles and their No.32 scopes. They are titled "An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No.4(T) Sniper Rifle", which he co-authored with Ian Skennerton and his own dedicated work, "Telescope Sighting No.32".
If you're really interested in some in-depth learning about the No.4(T) sniper rifles and the No.32 series of scopes, their history, evolution, repair and adjustments for shooting, I'd highly recommend those two books, which are pictured below. ....... (Feedback by "Badger")
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Note: The opinions expressed herein or statements made in this article are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Military Surplus Collectors Forums, or the ownership and moderation group of this site. MILSURPS.COM accepts no legal liability or responsibility for any claims made or opinions expressed herein. Also, please note that neither the author nor MILSURPS.COM recommends that any member of these forums, or a reader of this article, try this type of experimentation without the proper knowledge, equipment and training.
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