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I believe them to be cup dischargers for a 'bolas' anti-riot grenade that was trialled in NI. The grenade comprised plastic cylindrical housing containing three rubber bushes joined together with 'para' cord. I saw half a dozen of the dischargers in the mid-1970s, they slipped over the flash hider on the SLR and were held in place with a jubilee clip.
Norman
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Good morning from HQ SASC Norman. I've just had three early 70's era ex SASC trials Officers looking at this photo and the comments. They've no recollection of it except that whatever it was, it won't be a grenade launcher as defined! LtCol xxx xxxxxx says that the format is that of a smoke discharger. The Bolo idea was tried but the cord 'separator' caused terrible lacerations to those in the crowd it hit. Sad I know......., especially to those who'd only gone out to get some bread and milk for their sick brother or sister and got caught up in the stone and rock throwing and petrol bombing........... Oh, don't get me going!
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Peter,
Thanks. Sent a PM.
Norman
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1 Attachment(s)
Peter,
I promised a photograph (of a page from a report in the National Archives) showing one of the Bolas types trialled with its Cup Discharger; herewith:
Attachment 32262
Best,
Norman
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And there we have it...Thanks.
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ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh So they have added the cup/stem to a normal L1A2 Grenade Launcher and held it in place with 2 hose pipe clips.
Now to make up a replica of the cup/stem. I doubt if any of these are still floating around under a bench.
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I am told the Paras in NI, used the American M79 grenade launcher as well. To encourage the locals to stop at vehicle check points etc!
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Not just the Para's... most Units in rural NI used the M79 (not realy a good weapon in built up Belfast (so they told us))
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I don't know, the buckshot rounds would be very effective for house-clearing.
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Some buckshot rounds were "borrowed" from the Americans apparently.
