Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Danish Haandbombe Model 1923 training grenade of the type later designated by the German military as the Handgranate 343 d. The Danish Model 1923 is one of the more frequently misidentified grenade designs encountered by collectors and has variously been described as Swedish, Japanese, and several other nationalities. This pattern was developed and manufactured in Denmark before continuing in production under German occupation.

Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices that have been cut or drilled in a BATF approved manner so they cannot be used as ammunition components for destructive devices are not considered NFA weapons. This example has been completely deactivated, is totally inert, and is in full compliance with BATF requirements. NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

Following the German occupation of Denmark in April 1940, Danish ordnance factories continued producing these grenades under German nomenclature. The offensive version was designated Handgranate 342 d, while the defensive version, fitted with an additional fragmentation sleeve, was designated Handgranate 343 d.

Two principal color schemes are encountered on these grenades: yellow and gray with a black band. Yellow examples are less commonly encountered than the gray and black type, with observed dated yellow grenades ranging from 1940 through 1945.

Markings vary considerably and may include:

23
K inside a 12 pointed star
AK/B 194x
AMA

The marking “194x” indicates the year of manufacture, while AMA refers to AmMunitions Arsenalet.

The grenade body is constructed from sheet steel and is fitted with a brass percussion delay fuse assembly and safety wire. The upper plunger functions as the striker mechanism, while the bottom cap provides access to the detonator or training charge compartment. A fuse interrupter safety is fitted into the side of the body. When the grenade was thrown, this component departed from the body and allowed the grenade to arm.

The defensive Handgranate 343 d was created by fitting a fragmentation sleeve around the offensive grenade body. This sleeve consists of two matching cast iron half shells secured in place with wire wrapped around the upper and lower portions.

Training grenades were manufactured using thick wall steel to approximate the weight of a live grenade while providing the additional durability needed for repeated use. In addition to their color scheme, training examples can be identified by two 2.5 mm holes drilled through the body. One is positioned just beneath the safety interrupter, while the other is located on the upper cone on the opposite side.

The base end cap also features a 6 mm exhaust hole for the training charge. This charge was inserted into the space that would have held the detonator in a service grenade. After use, the grenade had to be returned to the factory for installation of a new fuse. Some examples display a line of indented dots beneath the safety interrupter, with each dot indicating a factory reload cycle.

This example retains portions of its original paint and displays an attractive, naturally aged patina. Its distinctive construction, training features, and German wartime designation make it an interesting example of Danish military ordnance production continued under German occupation.