VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Pictured below are .. Ballistite grenade launching rounds. All are marked on the container and headstamped as H Mk1z.

The "z" in the name indicates that Ballistite is a Nitrocellulose powder, not Cordite. The Ballistite is not only more stable in tropical conditions, but also provides more energy than Cordite can provide in the case volume.

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

.303 Blank cases can be either long or short nosed and are ALWAYS crimped to differentiate them in the dark from Grenade rounds,.....

And what would happen "In the dark" if you used the wrong round?

A Ballistite Grenade launching round used with a Cup Discharger will propel a No36 grenade between 50 to 200 Yards (it has the means to adjust the range). A .303 Blank (which uses Cordite) will only propel a No36 10 yards! This is within the wounding range of the No36. The firing position used when firing grenades means that the firer would not feel the difference in recoil, and in the dark would not see the "flight" of the grenade.