Quote:
Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
AFAIK, it was a WW1 derivation used exclusively with the SMLE, even into WW2.
|
The WW1 "Cups, Discharger, Grenade" was much cruder than the WW2 version and could only be fired on full charge. As Derek has shown, the WW2 version has a sliding port to vary the proportion of full charge that was directed to the gas check fitted to the base of the No36 Grenade. Somewhere I have a manual for the "Cups, discharger" that lists the various ranges that could be acheived with the port fully closed, half open and 3/4 open.
The "Cups, Discharger" was generally used only with a No1, Mk3 EY rifle, which was converted from a standard rifle with a worn barrel by wrapping the woodwork with copper wire to withstand the excessive chamber pressures involved in firing a grenade. The rifle could fire normal Ball ammo, but the accuracy was well off. The "Cups, Discharger" could also be used on a standard service rifle, but chamber pressures were such that it was only recommended with a Heavy Barrel rifle, or the copper wire re-inforced EY. There was a Patt '37 pouch to carry the Cup, but as stated, it was not common to fit it to other than a dedicated EY rifle.