RFI NoI Mk3 in grease.

[Brit plumber]

Wire wrapping is a very effective light weight additional strength. If you've ever seen an aircraft oxygen bottle then you'll know what I mean. The oxy bottles have wire wrap around the body meaning that the actual cylinder can be very thin skinned compared to a normal bottle.

Another example I can think of is the Nitrogen receiver used on side winder missiles. The bottles are think skinned, like foil and they are wrapped in fibreglass cord. It's unbelievable how much pressure wrapping can resist.

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[RobD]

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.