Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII practice M1924, M24, or Stielhandgranate 24 stick grenade, commonly called the “potato masher.” German training examples of this type were officially designated Übungshandgranate, literally meaning “exercise hand grenade.” This example is dated 1939 and bears the manufacturer marking of Richard Rinker GmbH.

This grenade is inert and intended for collection and display only. Not Available for Export.

The practice head remains attached to the wooden shaft, although it is now loose and wobbles slightly. The head no longer unscrews from the handle. The lower cap does unscrew and reveals what appears to be a small wooden bead inside the hollow handle. The end cap itself differs from many other M24 examples we have handled, having a more rounded profile.

Traces of the original red training paint remain on the grenade head, along with surviving original markings on both the head and wooden shaft. The side of the head is marked:

ЯR
1939

This indicates 1939 manufacture by Richard Rinker GmbH of Menden, Kreis Iserlohn. Richard Rinker GmbH was founded in 1910 and originally specialized in cast metal goods, particularly brass building hardware. By the mid-1930s, the firm had shifted much of its production toward light metals and later participated in wartime manufacturing.

The wooden handle is marked:

5 ½ Sek. - S.E.B.

The 5 ½ Sek. marking indicates a 5 1/2 second delay. This type of marking is associated with service M24 grenade handles, suggesting that the shaft may have originated from a standard live grenade and was later fitted to this training head. There is also an additional ink stamped marking on the handle, possibly a date or inspection stamp, but it is now too worn to read with confidence.

The practice head retains considerable age and service wear, with paint loss, oxidation, and surface wear throughout. The remaining red paint is especially important in identifying its training purpose. The wood shaft also shows honest wartime use and age.

The M24 stick grenade became one of the most recognizable German infantry weapons of WWII. Its long wooden handle gave the thrower considerable leverage, allowing greater throwing distance than many compact hand grenades. The elongated shape also made it less likely to roll back toward the thrower on sloped ground and made it useful in trench, urban, and defensive combat.

Training grenades allowed troops to practice throwing, handling, and grenade drills without the risks associated with live explosive charges. Because these pieces were repeatedly used in training and were never intended to be preserved as collectibles, surviving original examples are considerably less common than many other items of German field equipment.

This is an appealing and honest example of a German WWII training M24 stick grenade, retaining its 1939 Richard Rinker markings, traces of original red training paint, original practice head, and an M24 wooden shaft. Its mixed configuration and obvious service wear give it considerable character as a genuine wartime training piece.

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).