The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: 006/01/016 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No 6 Adam Park Report No: Report No.20 Artifact Type: Ammunition Production Date: 2013-11-16 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: 64mm dia Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

Item 006/01/016 is the fuse cap to a British Type 36 grenade. It is similar to an item found at No.9 and No.3 Adam Park and discussed in Survey Report 16 and 19. This cap is poorer condition and the inscriptions are difficult to read. However the embedded stamp with the letter ‘Z’ embossed into it can be seen. Within the groove on the left hand side can be seen the letters ‘AOP’ The stamp directly opposite the ‘Z’ appears to have at least the figure ‘6’ in it.

Historic Context:

The ‘Z’ and ‘APDP’ lettering refer to the zinc alloy used in the manufacture. The makers mark and date are unreadable. The damage on the fuse cap suggests this item was broken during the explosion of the grenade. This suggests the grenade was used close to the proximity of No.6 Adam Park’s northern boundary. The No.36M grenade evolved from golf-club designer William Mills’s Grenade No.5, the famous Mills Bomb of World War I. The No. 5 became the Grenade No.23 after obtaining a tail rod that allowed it to be fired from a rifle. In 1918, the grenade was modified to accept a 2.5in (63.5mm) detachable base plate that would let it be launched by a rifle discharger cup. Although this weapon was officially re-designated the Grenade No.36, popularly it was still called a Mills Bomb. A quantity was specially waterproofed and prepared for issue in Mesopotamia were designated No. 36M. While the No.5 and No.23 were removed from service in 1918 and the No.36 was declared obsolete in 1932, the No.36M remained in service as the British Army’s standard grenade.