{"product_id":"original-rare-french-wwi-blown-out-viven-bessieres-vb-rifle-fragmentation-grenade-inert","title":"Original Rare French WWI Blown-Out Viven-Bessières “VB” Rifle Fragmentation Grenade - INERT","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original French WWI \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eViven-Bessières rifle grenade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly known as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVB grenade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, presented in a blown-out and completely inert condition. The open body provides an unusual view of the grenade’s internal fragmentation construction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Viven-Bessières rifle grenade entered French service in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1916\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and quickly became one of the most successful French rifle grenade designs of WWI. Official French manuals referred to it as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eobus Viven-Bessières\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and the familiar abbreviation \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVB\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e came from the names of its inventors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnloaded 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example has been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eblown open\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving body is stamped:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon one side and:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon the opposite side.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrench 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44926729879621,"sku":"ONSV26BAJ041","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26BAJ041__02.jpg?v=1777472324","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-rare-french-wwi-blown-out-viven-bessieres-vb-rifle-fragmentation-grenade-inert","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}