Item Description
This is a nice inert example of the iconic U.S. fragmentation pineapple grenade issued during WWII. The Mk II was standardized in 1920 replacing the Mk I of 1917. It was phased out gradually, the U.S. Navy being the last users, and on 2 April 1945 the Mk II and Mk IIA1 were re-designated the Mk 2 and Mk 2A1.
The Mk II was commonly known as a “pineapple grenade”, because of its shape and structure. Grooves were cast into the cast iron shell, which was believed at the time to aid in fragmentation and had the side benefit of aiding in gripping the grenade: this provision gave it the appearance of a pineapple fruit. The Mk II was identified with an all yellow body prior to 1943. They were then painted olive drab for camouflage purposes with a narrow yellow band below the fuse.
This particular example is an early screw bottom MKII body, which was phased out later by the simplified solid bottomed MKII body. The fuse is marked “FUZE M200A3/ UAMCO/16 LOT” and overstamped “FUZE M10A3/LOT FL-2-47”.
The Mk II was commonly known as a pineapple grenade, because of its shape and structure. Grooves were cast into the cast iron shell, which was believed at the time to aid in fragmentation and had the side benefit of aiding in gripping the grenade: this provision gave it the appearance of a pineapple fruit. The Mk II was identified with an all yellow body prior to 1943. They were then painted olive drab for camouflage purposes with a narrow yellow band below the fuse.
Mk.II WWII 1944-1945
In the closing years of WWII the Mark II was produced with a solid base with the M10A3, or M6 series fuze (depending on the explosive filler used). The yellow band around the neck of the body was standard.
The are numerous variations in the fragment and groove details that can be found, which seems to depend on the particular manufacturer.
This grenade was originally made as an inert practice round, with a hole in the bottom and a practice fuse, which has the correct WWII style spoon. It was painted blue post war, the standard color the U.S. Army paints inert ordnance such as grenades, mines, etc. The fuse spoon was originally an M10A3, but was updated later to a M16AB version.
Ready to add to your collection and display!
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive devise, not available for export.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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