Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWI Model 1917 n/A Eierhandgranate, or “egg hand grenade,” configured and used as a training example. It retains traces of red exterior paint, a drilled hole in the base, and the lower portion of an early pattern fuze. The later Model 1917 n/A, or Neuer Art pattern, is distinguished by the raised central band around the body, which improved grip and also increased the grenade’s fragmentation effect.

This grenade is completely inert and BATF compliant. The body has been drilled through the bottom, and the explosive filling and functional fuze components are no longer present. It cannot function as originally intended. Not Available for Export.

The surviving fuze is incomplete, with only the lower portion remaining. The fuze was expended long ago, most likely during training use, but the remaining section can still be unscrewed from the body so the empty internal cavity can be inspected.

The red paint and drilled base identify this as a training grenade rather than a live service example. The exterior shows the expected wear, oxidation, and age associated with an original WWI training device, while the raised fragmentation and gripping band remains clearly visible around the center of the body.

Germany entered WWI with the heavy Kugelhandgranate, a ball shaped fragmentation grenade weighing approximately 750 grams, or 26 ounces. It was primarily intended for pioneer troops attacking fortifications and was too heavy and cumbersome for widespread battlefield use. Its construction was also poorly suited to rapid mass production, leaving German forces dependent upon a variety of improvised grenade designs during the early stages of the war.

The introduction of the Stielhandgranate M1915 provided Germany with a more practical standard grenade. Although the familiar stick grenade was refined several times, its long handle could still be awkward in confined spaces or when carried in quantity.

This led to the development of the Model 1917 Eierhandgranate, a compact hand grenade that could serve in both offensive and defensive roles. Its small size made it easier to carry and allowed an average soldier to throw it approximately 40 meters or more. Early bodies were smooth, which made them difficult to grip, particularly in wet or muddy conditions. The revised Neuer Art version added the raised central band seen on this example.

With its original wartime body, training paint, drilled base, and surviving partial early fuze, this is a scarce and visually distinctive example of a German WWI ordnance trainer and an excellent addition to an advanced Great War grenade or trench warfare 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).