Original Item: Only One Available. This is an extremely rare M1924, M24, or "Stielhandgranate 24" German Stick Grenade, often called a "potato masher". This example has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. The warhead still unscrews. It still retains its original paint, and the original markings can be seen on the head of the grenade.

Also included, the most notable aspect of this rare piece, is an original WW2 FRAGMENTATION SLEEVE (Splitterring für Stielhandgranate) that bears original feldgrau (field gray) paint. The Stielhandgranate 24 contained 165 grams of explosives, and would have a fatal effect on personnel within a radius of a few meters from the blast. The thin metal casing only gave off a small element of fragmentation. The idea behind the Stielhandgranate 24 was that it was an offensive weapon, and should not be a danger to the user himself. Well into Russia the Wehrmacht quickly found out that the enemy possessed handgrenades with much better effect than their own. There were several versions of the sleeve, this being the simplest, which was designed to tear into irregular shrapnel, causing grievous wounds.

The top of the grenade is maker marked with fcc 44, which is visible under the original dunkelgelb (tan) ordnance paint. This is the letter code for Metallwarenfabrik Hermann Nier, Beierfeld bei Schwarzenberg, Erzgebirge. The fragmentation sleeve is unfortunately not removable, so we cannot see if there are additional markings. The tan paint is visible on the underside of the explosive head as well.

The shaft is in good condition, though it does have some staining from age, and the metal fittings are somewhat rust marked. The lower screw cap is present and unscrews perfectly, and still has an intact spring loaded floor plate.. The shaft is correctly hollow to allow the internal components.

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 fragmentation sleeve, making this an excellent opportunity to acquire one to complete a WW2 ordnance collection.