Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Germany entered World War I with a single grenade design: a heavy 750-gram (26 oz) ball-shaped fragmentation grenade for use only by pioneers in attacking fortifications. This was known as the Kugelhandgranate ("ball hand grenade") also known as Khg Mod. 1913, the first German hand fragmentation grenade. However it was too heavy for regular use on the battlefield by untrained troops and not suitable for mass production. This left Germany without a standard-issue grenade and improvised designs similar to those of the British were used until a proper grenade could be supplied.
This occurred in 1915, with the development of the M1915 Stielhandgranate ("Stalk Hand Grenade"), the first of the iconic German "potato masher" grenades. The early versions utilized a somewhat complex "Poppenberg" spoon safety system for the percussion fuze on the handle. In this design, the striker pin was held in position, and a creep spring held it from the primer. When the safety pin was pulled by the spoon and the grenade was thrown, the striker was released and would ignite the primer on impact, detonating the grenade.
Unlike grenades used by other countries, it was not a fragmentation design, and had a long shaft on the warhead to aid in throwing the grenade long distances. It relied much more on concussion blast effect than shrapnel. It was one of the first "offensive" type of grenades fielded. There was however also a "defensive" type used, utilizing an M1913 Kugelhandgranate body attached to the end using a brass adapter.
Our example is in very good condition, with the Poppenberg system in good working order, with the original safety split pin and pull ring still intact. The warhead is in good shape, with an intact belt hook, and still unscrews properly from the shaft. It also still retains much of the original dark gray paint.
A very rare grenade, ready to add to your collection and display!
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- 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. Every display machinegun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).
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