Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a rare and fantastic offer! This is an American made Model 1917 VB Rifle Grenade Launching Cup for the US M1917 Enfield rifle. This is the first we have been able to offer and in a condition we will most likely never see again.
The Viven-Bessières rifle grenade, named after its inventors, also known as "VB grenade", and officially referred to as the "Viven-Bessières shell" in the French Army instruction manual, was an infantry weapon in use with the French Army from 1916 onwards. The US Army also adopted this weapon and implemented it from July 1917. Initially, with material supplied by France; in a second stage, producing their own dischargers and grenades and adapting them to their M1917 Enfield and M1903 Springfield rifles like this one here. The "message" grenade was not used by the Americans.
This example is in amazing condition and retains nearly all of its original paint. It is correctly marked MODEL OF 1917 on the bottom of the cup, along with U.S. and an ordnance "Flaming Bomb". We suspect that the W under this is for "Winchester", one of the manufacturers of the 1917 Enfield. The discharger was either reconditioned after the war or just never saw real use. The V-B rifle continued to be part of the inventory of the French infantryman at the beginning of the Second World War. The US VB grenade was used at the Battle of Guadalcanal.
A great example ready for further research and display.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
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).
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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