MKII Grenade Spoon and Pin (Early War Cadmium)

This listing is for 1 early war cadmium plated MKII grenade spoon and 1 cadmium plated pin.  These spoons and pins are exact replicas of their WWII counter parts.  These replicas are precision made, paying attention to even the smallest details.  The spoons feature the proper "wrap around" hook design with the iconic "Y" stiffener running along the face of the spoon.  Even the pin and rings have been made to exact specifications even down to the hardness of steel.

The one and only change we made from the original design was the thickness of the steel spoon.  Original spoons were made of an incredibly thin gauge steel (approx. 24ga) which made them very easy to bend.  This can be a major problem for reenactors who are taking their MKIIs on and off their gear countless times over years and years of reenacting.  With that in mind we increased the thickness of the steel up to 20ga which adds so much more strength while at the same time having the increased thickness be imperceptible to the human eye.

Features:

1. Exact design and dimensions of original spoons and pins.
2. Makers marks/heat numbers stamped in the tops of the spoons just like originals. (other repo spoon the lettering is laser etched).
3. Proper wartime "flat" steel cotter pin.
4. Hardened spring steel ring made to original specs
5. Real cadmium plating on the spoon, ring, and pin to help prevent corrosion (originals used cadmium or galvanized finishes) 

Each grenade spoon is "metal stamped" with the proper nomenclature and makers marks for the early war M10A1 fuse assembly as seen on most early war "yellow" MKII hand grenades. 

In the early stages of the war, MKII spoons were cadmium plated or finished with hot dipped galvanizing to help prevent corrosion.  We have opted to use cadmium plating because, to our knowledge, that finish has never been replicated on any other reproductions before now.

Regarding the cadmium finish, when cadmium spoons were first made during the war, the cadmium finish was a very light gray, almost white.  After being dirtied up in the field and/or do to oxidation overtime the cadmium would fade to a darker shade of gray.  Our replica spoons are very light gray, almost white in appearance, just like originals.  You can wait for them to oxidize over time or if you would like to darken them slightly, you can use just a pinch of black shoe polish to lightly coat the entire spoon.  Wipe off all the excess polish (so it doesn't rub off on your gear or clothes) and this darkens the spoon perfectly. 

One detail missed on all other reproduction WWII grenades is the cotter pin.  In WWII these pins were completely flat and were pretty tough to pull out of the grenade.  In the years after the war the military switched to a "half dome" shaped pin which were a bit easier to pull.  **** Note that flat steel pins are very strong but if they are moved back and forth more than a time or two they will break, just like originals.  If you plan to pull the pin of your dummy for demonstration purposes many times we suggest purchasing one of our USGI surplus rings which last a bit longer****

*This listing does not include a replica MKII fuse or the body of a MKII pineapple*

*Note that these spoons are made to fit on M10 style fuses and can not be installed on any other style of fuse do to the wrap around hook design and the fact that M10 fuses became narrower towards "tongue" of the fuse.*