Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent and especially scarce New Zealand-manufactured WWII No. 36M Mk I Mills Bomb grenade dated September 1943. It retains its segmented cast-iron body, internal mechanical components, striker lever, safety pin, base plug, square-key filling plug, original painted markings, and much of its period shellac coating. New Zealand-produced Mills grenades are considerably more difficult to locate than their British-made counterparts, making this a particularly appealing example for the advanced Commonwealth ordnance collector.

This grenade is completely inert and contains no explosive charge, detonator, or other hazardous material. It cannot be converted into a functioning explosive device and is not considered a destructive device under current ATF guidelines. Not available for export.

The No. 36M Mk I was the final and longest-serving development of the famous Mills Bomb series. The “M” designation originated with the moisture-resistant version developed for service in the hot and humid conditions encountered in Mesopotamia. The grenade body was treated with shellac to help protect the internal components and explosive filling from moisture. This waterproofed pattern remained in widespread British and Commonwealth service throughout WWII and for decades afterward.

This example is particularly desirable because it incorporates components produced by multiple New Zealand wartime manufacturers. The segmented cast-iron body is marked:

MP 10

The initials “MP” identify Mason & Porter of Mount Wellington, Auckland. The company, later well known as Masport, played a substantial role in New Zealand’s wartime industrial effort and manufactured large quantities of No. 36 grenade bodies.

The striker lever is marked:

NPZ
9/43

The “NPZ” marking is attributed to the Precision Engineering Company of New Zealand, while “9/43” indicates manufacture in September 1943. The combination of the Mason & Porter body and Precision Engineering lever illustrates how these grenades were assembled from components supplied by several Commonwealth contractors.

Additional markings beneath the base plug include a “Z,” the date “1943,” and an “S” contained within a geometric device. Some of these markings show wear and are partially obscured, but the 1943 date remains visible.

The base plug is marked:

No. 36M Mk I
…

Heavy oxidation and wear obscure the remaining base-plug markings, preventing the manufacturer and complete date from being read with confidence.

The grenade also retains a square-key zinc filling plug of the pattern associated with British manufacturer William Henry Enstone. These plugs were developed as a more economical alternative to the conventional slotted brass type. The presence of a British-produced filling plug on a New Zealand body is entirely consistent with Commonwealth wartime manufacture, in which available components from different contractors were frequently combined during assembly.

The body retains traces of its original dark finish and shellac coating, together with three red X markings along the side. These markings are worn but remain clearly visible and give the grenade excellent period character. There is scattered oxidation, finish loss, discoloration, and handling wear throughout, all consistent with its age and original military manufacture.

The Mills Bomb originated during WWI when British engineer William Mills developed the No. 5 grenade, adopted by the British Army in 1915. Its distinctive segmented cast-iron body was intended to improve grip, although the external grooves did not reliably control fragmentation in the manner commonly assumed.

Further development produced the No. 23 rifle grenade and eventually the No. 36, which could be fitted with a circular gas-check plate for launching from a cup discharger mounted to a rifle. The moisture-resistant No. 36M Mk I became the standard British and Commonwealth fragmentation grenade of WWII and remained in British service until the early 1970s.

The No. 36M was a defensive fragmentation grenade intended to be thrown from behind cover. When activated, the striker lever was released and the spring-loaded striker initiated the delay mechanism. Its heavy cast-iron body produced dangerous fragments over a distance potentially greater than the average throwing range, requiring the user to seek immediate protection after throwing.

New Zealand manufactured millions of No. 36-pattern grenades during WWII using an extensive network of domestic engineering firms and foundries. Mason & Porter alone reportedly cast as many as 1.5 million grenade bodies as part of the country’s wartime production effort.

Condition is very good overall for an original 1943-dated New Zealand Mills Bomb. The grenade retains its major external and internal mechanical components, scarce New Zealand manufacturer markings, period finish, shellac, and painted identification marks. Expected oxidation and wear are present, particularly on the base plug, but these do not detract from its strong display appearance.

The combination of a Mason & Porter body, September 1943 Precision Engineering striker lever, square-key zinc filling plug, surviving original finish, and clearly visible New Zealand markings makes this an especially desirable Commonwealth WWII grenade. It would be an excellent addition to an advanced collection of New Zealand militaria, British Commonwealth ordnance, Pacific Theater equipment, or inert WWII grenades.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).