Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally scarce original British WWI No. 20 Hales rifle grenade, complete with its original discharger rod, surviving pin and pull string, and substantial original white-painted finish. Unlike the many Hales grenades encountered today as excavated battlefield relics, this example survives in rare non-dug condition and retains an unusually complete set of original components.

Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices, which are cut or drilled in an BATF-approved manner so that they cannot be used as ammunition components for destructive devices, are not considered NFA weapons. This example is in total compliance and is NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

The No. 20 formed part of the Hales family of British rifle grenades developed during the First World War and was closely related to the earlier No. 3 pattern. One of the principal external differences was the elimination of the No. 3’s wind vane assembly in an effort to simplify the design and improve reliability. The No. 20 used ammonal-type explosive filling rather than the fillings associated with some earlier Hales types, and corrosion of internal metal components became one of the known shortcomings of the pattern.

This example is in very rare non-dug condition, with original white paint on the body and a lovely dark patina to the brass fittings. The top and bottom fitting are stamped with a triangle, the only marking we can find. The brass cap can be removed to inspect the interior, with the hollow tube still intact inside. This example even retains the original pin and pull string, what a rarity! The grenade with its original discharger rod measures 16 ¼” long, with the rod itself measuring 10”.

The Hales system represented one of Britain’s principal early attempts to provide infantry with a practical rifle-launched grenade during WWI. Although later designs eventually superseded it, the No. 20 reflects the rapid wartime experimentation that took place as armies adapted existing infantry rifles to deliver explosive projectiles beyond normal hand-throwing range.

The combination of rare non-dug condition, original white paint, surviving brass fittings, triangle markings, removable cap, intact internal tube, original pull string and pin, and complete discharger rod makes this one of the strongest No. 20 Hales grenade examples we have encountered. Its completeness and preservation make it particularly valuable as a study and display piece within a British WWI ordnance collection.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. 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.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).