Martin Hales Photo Album

An absolute treasure dealing with the history of grenades has been discovered in a box of military items for sale at an auction.  Apparently the items belonged to an elderly collector whose wife was auctioning off his collection.  The box containing the albums, also containing other items like trench maps, artillery barrage maps, reports, and manuals was purchased by a book dealer.  Fortunately for us, Giles was also at the auction and was offered the photo albums by the book dealer.  These are some of the personal photo albums of Martin Hale, a major influence on early grenades.  We all want to have the odd "Hales Patent" in our collections.

Giles has kindly offered to share his amazing find with the rest of us, and for that we all thank him

Its also good to know that these items will not end up in a garbage heap someplace and be lost to the world.  These are a truly important historical find.

This is the first of the two albums, this one dealing with what appears to be the "Mexican Pattern" grenade, but not with the Mexicans, instead this album deals with "The official German War Office trials".  Shown below is a closer view of the label on the album.

In case you cannot read it

"Official German War Office Trials, "Hales Patent Rifle and Hand Grenades.

Spandau June 1911

Please Return to:

Martin Hale Farzedine, Kinnaird Avenue, Bromley, Kent.

This photo shows shows Hale's assistant conversing with two German officials while an Officer holds the Hale grenade while talking to two other Officers in the Spandau trenches.

This photo shows Hale (with the X above his head) as a German officer holds the grenade. 

Seems like the Officer is showing some trepidation about the grenade!

Note the original inscription at the bottom of the photo.

This photo shows Hales assistant preparing the grenade for throwing

Here again is Hales assistant preparing a rifle for firing the rifle version as Hale himself looks on (again marked with an X).  Perhaps the rifle has just been fired and they are watching for the fall of shot.

Here is a great shot showing the rifle grenade about to be fired or at least demonstrating the proper techniques to be used.

Hale again is marked by an X.

Note the protective shelter behind.

This photo shows German officers gathered around the table seen in the previous photo examining the rifle and obviously the grenades.

Another photo of the Officers and Hale.  Note the German Soldier standing in front who appears to be wearing Hales special grenade carrying belt.

The Second of the Albums deals with trials of  a Hales designed Aircraft Bomb.

The cover of the album is titled "Royal Naval Flying School  Eastchurch Sheppey Aeroplane Bomb Experiments, October 23rd 1913.

The label says "The First Practical Tests of an Aircraft Bomb made in the United Kingdom, Hales Patent Aircraft Bomb"

This first photo shows the bomb itself.

A good shot showing details of the bomb and markings.

This photo is likely an advertising type photo, was it ever used?

This photo shows the bomb mounted in the aircraft between the observer and pilot.

Another view of the aircraft, what type is it?

The aircraft in flight, perhaps about to drop the bomb?

A group shot of the people observing the tests, it looks like they might be examining the crater where the bomb hit or something of that nature.

Another shot of the aircraft, and perhaps the pilot (seems logical).

More of the aircraft.