Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original French WWI Viven-Bessières rifle grenade, commonly known as the VB grenade, presented in a blown-out and completely inert condition. The open body provides an unusual view of the grenade’s internal fragmentation construction.

The Viven-Bessières rifle grenade entered French service in 1916 and quickly became one of the most successful French rifle grenade designs of WWI. Official French manuals referred to it as the obus Viven-Bessières, and the familiar abbreviation VB came from the names of its inventors.

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.

Unlike many contemporary rifle grenades, the VB did not use a long launching rod extending down the rifle barrel. Instead, it was fired from a cup type launcher fitted to the muzzle of the rifle and was designed to function with the rifle’s standard ball ammunition.

The grenade body was made from cast iron and incorporated internal fragmentation grooves. It also featured a hollow central passage through which the rifle bullet traveled. As the bullet passed through the grenade, the fuze mechanism was initiated and the propellant gases generated behind the projectile provided the force that launched the grenade from the cup.

This example has been blown open, exposing the interior fragmentation pattern and internal construction. Several portions of the body are missing as a result. The brass lever associated with the central fuze mechanism is also absent.

The surviving body is stamped:

L

on one side and:

P

on the opposite side.

The damage appears old and is entirely consistent with the grenade having been blown apart long ago, although we cannot determine exactly when or under what circumstances the damage occurred.

The VB system gave French infantry a relatively compact method of projecting fragmentation grenades beyond normal hand throwing distance. Its effectiveness led to widespread use during the latter half of WWI, and the type remained in French inventories well after the Armistice, including into the early stages of WWII.

French infantry organizations incorporated dedicated VB grenadiers, giving small units a useful means of delivering explosive fire against enemy positions without relying entirely on heavier mortars or artillery.

A particularly interesting surviving example of one of the most recognizable French infantry grenade systems of WWI. The blown-open condition makes the internal fragmentation construction clearly visible and gives the piece considerable educational and display value while remaining completely inert.

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).