INERT Original 1915 WW1 British No5 Mk1 Mills Hand Grenade – Carron Company Falkirk Scotland

Here on offer is wonderful example of an INERT original WW1 British No5 Mk1 Mills hand grenade, by the Carron Company of Falkirk Scotland and dated to 1915.

This genuine grenade is the best example that I have ever had the privilege to own.

My understanding is that the No. 5 Mk. 1 was the first version of the grenade, first being issued in May 1915 and entered general issue when mass production caught up a year later in 1916.

The explosive was filled through the small circular brass or alloy screw plug on the upper half and the detonator assembly was inserted into the centre tube of the mills through the bottom of the grenade body via the base plug.

It has somehow survived WW1 and has had the explosives and detonator professionally removed in the past to deactivate it. Five small holes have also been drilled into the main body, to ensure it can’t be refilled and reactivated.

This fine example still retains the original retaining pin, lever, striker and spring.

The retaining pin can be removed and you can feel the spring trying to push the striker down, but I haven’t done that, as getting the striker back in place against the spring pressure can be a nightmare! If you do want to do this, please be very careful as the striker will fly out of the bottom is the plug is removed.

It now has a lovely dark patina finish to the cast iron body. On the front of the main body, it is stamped with “CC” which relates to the maker Carron Company of Falkirk in Scotland.

There is some light corrosion to the round zinc alloy filler plug and the steel fly off lever.

The lever has the makers mark of DHS stamped on it, but I can’t yet identify who this maker is?


It retains a brass plug that screws into the base.

The knurled edge brass is plug is stamped, No5 1, 9/15 which refers to September 1915, when it was made.

Next to the date is the plug maker’s stamp, being FALKIRK, which relates to the maker Falkirk Iron Co. Ltd.

PLEASE NOTE: This item is free from explosives (FFE) and contains no explosive elements or parts thereof.

This is a superb example of a genuine WW1 grenade that makes a great display piece that are impossible to find in this condition today!

It measures 3.9” (9.9cm) high and about 2.25” (5.8cm) diameter around the body.

It weighs 560g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52186