Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original French WWI F1 practice hand grenade fitted with a partial Billant Modèle 1916 fuze. The grenade retains its distinctive red practice paint and displays a very attractive aged patina. The fuze remains removable for inspection, although it is incomplete and damaged.

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

The grenade body remains in good overall condition and retains a substantial amount of its original red practice paint, which has darkened considerably with age. This deeply aged red finish gives the grenade considerable visual character. The fuze is painted white and can still be unscrewed from the body so that the empty interior can be inspected.

The Billant Modèle 1916 fuze is incomplete. The internal spring component is jammed into place, and the assembly is loose. A small metal pin has been inserted through the safety pin hole and wrapped around the spoon to prevent the damaged fuze components from coming apart. The thin leather washer normally fitted beneath the fuze is also missing.

The F1 was one of the principal French hand grenades of WWI and was introduced into production in 1915. Its cast iron body featured a deeply grooved exterior intended to improve grip and encourage fragmentation upon detonation. Although the segmented pattern suggested that the body would break apart along the grooves, actual fragmentation was considerably less predictable.

Early F1 grenades were initially fitted with relatively simple ignition arrangements, including lit wick type fuzes. These systems had obvious disadvantages under combat conditions and were gradually replaced by more sophisticated designs.

The Billant Modèle 1916 represented a significant improvement. It converted the F1 into a timed grenade using a more practical mechanical ignition system and became one of the important wartime fuze patterns associated with the French F1.

Later designs, including the M1917 Billant fuze, continued the evolution of the system. By WWII, later French F1 grenades were fitted with more modern time fuze designs, including the M1935 pattern.

The French F1 proved highly influential and was widely used during and after WWI. The basic concept was adopted or adapted by a number of other nations and influenced later fragmentation grenade development, including designs used by the United States and Soviet Union.

This example is especially appealing as a surviving French WWI practice grenade retaining its original red training paint and partial Billant Modèle 1916 fuze. Although the fuze is incomplete and damaged, the grenade remains an evocative and visually strong example of early French fragmentation grenade development during the First World War.

Condition: The grenade body remains in good overall condition with substantial aged red practice paint. The white-painted Billant Modèle 1916 fuze is incomplete, loose, and damaged. Its internal spring is jammed in place, a small replacement metal pin has been installed to secure the assembly, and the leather fuze washer is missing. The fuze can still be unscrewed for inspection.

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).