Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of an extremely rare NB.Hgr.39b or Nebelhandgranate 1939 "B" German Stick Grenade. This excellent example, acquired from the family of a WWII veteran, has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. The bottom cap unscrews which reveals the original pull string and porcelain bead. It still retains its original paint and the original markings can be seen on both the head and shaft of the grenade.
In 1939 the Stielhandgranate design was modified to create the Nebelhandgranate "smoke hand grenade". Smoke was used for masking protection from enemy fire and signaling. There were two variants, the Nb.Hgr.39 and the Nb.Hgr.39b The "b" version differs in that the handle, has raised ridges and an additional white band to aid in identification at night. The Nb.39 pot contained a mixture of zinc powder and hexachlorethane which produced a smoke cloud upon ignition. Holes in the bottom of the head provided an escape path for the smoke as it burned.
The warhead bears original paint including a white paint stamping (partial) that reads Nb. [Hgr.] 39 and code 92. 41. The head has correct white paint bands for easy identification that it is a smoke grenade and not a traditional M1924 version. The head also has the correct ventilation holes on the underside. There is some rust pitting and holes in the warhead, which have been partially covered with tan auto body filler. The top of the warhead is stamped RR 513 1940, which corresponds to the manufacturer Richard Rinker G.m.b.H. in Menden/Iserlohn, the original designer of the M24 grenade. This company had many factories and subcontractors, which is what the number 513 corresponds to.
The fine wood shaft still bears the correct white paint band and tooled grip ridges for the "B" model of the Nb-Hgr 39 "B" Model, which made the grenade much more friendly for night use, making it much easier to tell that it was a smoke grenade.
The lower screw cap is complete with inner spring, and unscrews with ease, though it is definitely worn from age and use. The shaft is correctly hollow to allow the internal components and porcelain "donut" bead with pull string, which are present on this example, something that we do not see very often at all.
In WW2 the stick of the German M24 (Model 24) grenade provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30 to 40 yards, whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 15 yards. The design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. These grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions.
As grenades were disposable, encountering them on the market is very rare, especially with the original pull string and weight, making this an excellent opportunity to acquire one to complete a WW2 ordnance collection.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machinegun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).
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