| Title |
M.D.1: weapons development |
| Reference |
MCRA 3 |
| Covering Dates |
1939–1971 (The majority of files date from 1939-44.) |
| Extent and Medium |
3.5 archive boxes |
|
| Content and context |
Minutes, correspondence, reports and technical drawings on the development, production and supply of weapons including anti-tank grenades (the "sticky bomb"), booby-traps, anti-tank mines, beehive explosives and mortar ammunition. Also includes earlier papers on the work of M.I.R. [Military Intelligence Research, forerunner of M.D.1], particularly their Chemical Committee. |
| Churchill/MCRA 3 contains: |
|
1
|
M.I.R. Diary. Resume of M.I.R. activities.
1 file. |
Dec 1939-Jun 1940 |
|
2
|
M.I.R. Chemical Research Committee. Includes: correspondence and reports of the M.I.R. Chemical Research Committee on petrol contamination, incendiary mixtures and aluminium corrosives; notes on the demolition of barges, lock gates and trains, 1939.
1 file. |
Oct 1939-Sep 1940 |
|
3
|
M.I.R. Chemical Committee. M.I.R. Chemical Committee minutes and instructions on "How to use explosives".
1 file. |
Apr 1940-Sep 1940 |
|
4
|
M.D.1: Development and Research Work in Hand and Activities. Includes: notes on demonstrations, 1942; diary of M.I.R. activities, June 1939-November 1940; notes of work in hand, August 1941; weapons designed and developed, July 1943; weapons in use, October 1945.
1 file. |
Nov 1940-Oct 1945 |
|
5
|
DV/I/17 S.T. Grenade: miscellaneous. Notes and correspondence on the development and efficiency of the anti-tank grenade, or "sticky bomb".
1 file. |
Jul 1940-Nov 1942 |
|
6
|
S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk I. Notes, correspondence and minutes on demonstrations, handling, storage and development of anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs".
1 file. |
Apr 1940-Sep 1943 |
|
7
|
S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk I: proof and testing. Minutes on the correct storage and transit conditions and useful life of anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs", particularly in the Middle East.
1 file. |
May 1941-Feb 1943 |
|
8
|
S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk I: prematures. Minutes, correspondence on tests and drawings for faulty detonators in anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs".
1 file. |
Dec 1941-Aug 1943 |
|
9
|
S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk II: instructional. Minutes on improvements to the design of anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs".
1 file. |
Nov 1942-Jan 1943 |
|
10
|
Useful life of explosive in S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk I. Minutes on the life of anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs" in temperate and tropical climates.
1 file. |
1942-Jan 1943 |
|
11
|
S.T. Grenade no. 74: adhesives B.S.17 and B.S.7. Minutes on trials for anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs" in tropical conditions.
1 file. |
Apr 1944-May 1944 |
|
12
|
Accident, S.T. Grenade no. 74 Mk II, at Small Arms School, 24.3.44. Notes, minutes, drawings etc on tests to the anti-tank grenades, or "sticky bombs," following an inquiry into the accident.
1 file. |
Mar 1944-Dec 1944 |
|
13
|
Aerodrome defence: suggested use for M.D.1 devices. Notes, with instructions and drawings on switches, or booby traps: the AP, or anti-personnel switch, which fired into the feet of anyone treading on it; the pull switch, or trip-wire igniter; and contact strip.
1 file. |
Nov 1941-Dec 1941 |
|
14
|
Demonstrations (Devices). Programmes, notes and correspondence on weapons trials and demonstrations, including the jumping "K" mortar bomb, jumping mortar round, the "Great Eastern" bridging attachment for the Churchill tank, the spigot mortar, switches [booby traps], S.T. grenades ["sticky bombs"], the Camouflet Set [an undermining device] and contact strip.
1 file. |
Jul 1941-Apr 1946 |
|
15
|
M.D.1. Development and Research Work in Hand. Notes on the development of spigot mortars, anti-tank weapons, bombs and torpedoes for use against battleships and submarines, shaped charges, the "L" delay fuse, booby traps and demolition devices.
1 file. |
Jul 1942 |
|
16
|
Anti-tank mines. Minutes and technical drawing of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.
1 file. |
Nov 1942-Aug 1943 |
|
17
|
Dummy tellermines. Minutes and drawings on the production of dummy German anti-tank mines and "S" shrapnel mines for training purposes.
1 file. |
Aug 1943-Oct 1943 |
|
18
|
Provision of switches and spare caps for dummy anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Minutes on the supply of dummy German anti-tank tellermines and "S" shrapnel mines for training purposes.
1 file. |
Aug 1943-Nov 1943 |
|
19
|
Pressure igniter for Shrapnel Mine. Minutes, drawings etc on development.
1 file. |
Jul 1943-Jan 1944 |
|
20
|
Demand order for practice anti-tank flash mines. Minutes on the design and production of practice mines.
1 file. |
Dec 1943-Jul 1944 |
|
21
|
Beehive Production Arrangements. Minutes and technical drawings on the development, production and supply of beehive explosives.
1 file. |
Apr 1943-Jun 1943 |
|
22
|
Demolition charges. Minutes on the design and production of demolition charges and beehive explosives.
1 file. |
Feb 1944-Apr 1944 |
|
23
|
Jumping round for 3" mortar. Minutes and technical drawings on the development of ammunition for the 3" mortar.
1 file. |
Jan 1944-May 1944 |
|
24
|
29mm Spigot Mortar and PIAT - Blacker controversy. Notes and correspondence on patent claims by Lieutenant-Colonel L V S Blacker to the "Blacker Bombard" spigot mortar and PIAT [Infantry Anti-Tank Projector], with minutes on production and provisional specifications.
1 file. |
Sep 1941–1971 |
|
25
|
Priorities Meeting reports. Job lists and minutes of meetings, particularly on the development of the countermining pistol [for detonations in undersea salvage operations].
1 file. |
Oct 1945-Jan 1946 |
|
26
|
Countermining Pistol. Notes, correspondence, contracts and production reports on the pistol [for detonations in undersea salvage operations].
1 file. |
Nov 1946-Feb 1947 |
|
27
|
A consideration of a new infantry close support weapon. Paper by Major C V Clarke on a new mortar [written during the Korean War].
1 file. |
c 1950-c 1953 |
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