Wow, Michael, I don't know how I missed your earlier thread, but thank you so much for reposting it! Incredible! Too bad we don't have finds like that here in the States. Eftihis, again, you are a lucky chap to own one of these. Very nice!
Gav, the effectiveness of these old grenadoes could be unpredictible. Somewhere in my reading, I heard of a modern equivilent being set off in an earthen trench. In that test, one side of the wall was raked with shrapnel, while the other somehow missed most of the blast. No two results were the same. In that incredibly accurate show 'Deadliest Warrior' (
), in Knight vs Pirate, they demonstrate a blast with one with good effect. Finally, I would direct your attention to the battle between John Paul Jones and the Brits off Flamborough Head during the Amer Revolution. It is said the entire turn of battle was from some enterprising chap up in the top-sails with a budge-basket of these little nasties, dropping them down strategically on groups of the enemy.