Peter, I accept all you say. And I'm sure the intentions of the designers are good. I understand the logic of wire wrapping, having been brought up in a home where my dad added soda to his whisky from a wire-wrapped soda siphon.
I am slightly skeptical about the effectiveness. Does it really protect the soldier? Does anyone have before and after pictures?
Looking at photos, if one goes off at the muzzle, the blast is about 40 inches from the soldier's face, so it's not just below the waist that would need a wipe down.
And also, looking at the article here
Milsurps Knowledge Library - WW1 Enfield Wire Wrapped Grenade Rifles and Dischargers
it strikes me that people don't hold the forestock where the wire is.