British WWI Inert Grenades: Battye Bomb, No. 15 'Cricket Ball' Grenade, & No. 34 'Testicle' Grenade

British WWI Inert Grenades: Battye Bomb, No. 15 'Cricket Ball' Grenade, & No. 34 'Testicle' Grenade

The Battye bomb was an interim weapon manufactured in the town of Bethune, France, in 1915 for the British Army, based on the design of Captain B.C. Battye of the Royal Engineers. These grenades consist of a segmented roughly cast iron cylinder sealed with a wooden plug, and fitted with variety of fuzes.  This example has a simple wood plug and cloth fuze installed (supported by pasteboard on the interior, as the interior is happily empty).  Exterior has yellow paint with a red stripe.  No. 15 ball grenade or 'cricket ball' grenade is a 3" diameter iron sphere with a threaded plug and time fuze.  Example has dark patina and a display analog installed to represent the fuze.  No. 34 Mk III 'testicle' grenade was introduced in 1917 to rival the lightweight German 'Eierhandgranate.' Body is in good condition but with a red stripe near the top and dark patina on the remainder.  Has brass fuze assembly with a replacement pull ring safety, brass plug on the side.  Markings include designation "No. 34 III", maker "FB" and date "1917" on the plug.  

$200 - $300