Strange Northern Ireland Grenade Launching Device, can you identify it?

I was sent this photo today, its a frame taken from a Pathe News report from the 70's and shows two British Soldiers in NI, one carrying a Federal Riot Gun the other a L1A1 with a strange 'can' on the muzzle.

I would suspect the 'can' is a cup somehow fitted to a L1A2 Grenade Launching Device to allow the launching of Smoke and or CN (Tear Gas) grenades?

Dose anyone have any first hand accounts or information about this type of launcher? How was it made, what was it made from... where to find one?


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Ireland-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...reland01-2.jpg

A grenade launcher cup for FN? Peter? Aren't those for gas grenades? Er...I mean Grenade Anti Riot?

I think it's one of the electrically fired thinggies. Very early 70's by the Dennison smocks and ancient (non?)bulletproofs. They are Commando RHA paratroopers by the look of it. They also has SLR pistol grips. I'll look at a couple of them next week to compare

But looking carefully, could it be that while the angles are similar, follow the 'barrel' line and the cup thinggy isn't aligned with the rifle butt so that they might not be one and the same thing

I've found the video http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=72939

Its dated 1972 and the 'can' is fitted to the SLR rifle, from what does appear to be a modified L1A2 launcher.

I hope the link works ok

I had forgotten what that was like. Carrying way more gear than was practical. Rifle in one hand and sheild in the other. Batton on back. Gas gun slung. On and on. But anyway, I think the launcher used the square bottom grenades like ??Pains-Wessex??and a normal launcher cartridge would send it. I'm surprised Peter hasn't got one of these. Or worked on them, they would have to be inspected the same as other weapons. Maybe workshop manufacture Peter?

Nope, we haven't got a clue. Well, we have, in that it looks like a grenade launched adaptation but.......... We have the rubber tyupe grenade. We'll have a deeper investigation during the week.

Whatever it was, it won't be a local lash-up. We don't do that sort of thing

Pete, This MAY be the forerunner, of the later intoduced L1A1 ELECTRICALY inisitiated Launcher. You remember, the straight Tube with a PLASTIC SLR Pistol grip, squared off Buttplate & the 'Can' Launcher at the end. I would think this adaptation was a short lived thing before the Intro of the Electric launcher. I have to admit, I have not encountered one or any Doc's realating to them! Interesting though! If you think about it, & 'Can' welded onto a moded Energa gren Launcher. WOULD indeed propel & hand thrown gas, or smoke Gren quite a distance with a Ballistite Cartridge! so in THEORY, these would work! Though quite how far, possibly TOO Far with a Ballististe! Would remain open to question! More investigation Please Peter! :thup:

I'll chase it up Tankie, but passing the buck a bit NZL1A1 collector, does this device thinggy feature in that big pile of trials microfisches's that I sent you? Just a thought

I've checked and there is no fiche relating to any such beast, I wish there was it would answer most the questions.

The guy on the left is holding the Federal 201-Z 37mm gas gun.

Sorry, back to our FN viewing.

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

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!

Peter,

Thanks. Sent a PM.

Norman

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

And there we have it...Thanks.

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.

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!

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))

I don't know, the buckshot rounds would be very effective for house-clearing.

Some buckshot rounds were "borrowed" from the Americans apparently.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Whatever it was, it won't be a local lash-up. We don't do that sort of thing

---

:D.....they have added the cup/stem to a normal L1A2 Grenade Launcher and held it in place with 2 hose pipe clips.