Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of an inert and rather rare smoke grenade, the M15 White Phosphorus Smoke Grenade, more commonly known as “Willie Pete”. The paint appears to be original and retained quite nicely with a visible 8-42 date on the front of the body. The M15 was a white phosphorous smoke grenade that was used by the United States during World War II.

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.

The inert grenade comes complete with a lovely M6A2 fuse assembly with the correct spoon and pull ring.

This is a wonderful example ready for further research and display.
The M15 was initially intended to be a screening weapon, a tool designed to cover troop movements or disrupt enemy fire. However, in practice, the bursting design coupled with the emitted white phosphorous burning at over 2,700 degrees Celsius made the grenade an effective weapon against enemy infantry. The bursting radius of the grenade was about 17 meters with the white phosphorous having a burn time of approximately sixty seconds. Anyone within the 17 meter radius would have to be covered or run the risk of being hit by the many white phosphorous particles in the air. Any white phosphorous in contact with skin would have to be doused in water to avoid further combustion.

The grenade's body is cylindrical in shape with either an M6A3 or M206 fuse on top and rounded edges. To activate, the procedure is to remove the safety pin and let go of the handle. The fuse would go off after about four and a half seconds. The average throwing range for the weapon was about 30 meters. The body itself is made of 18 gage steel and has a length of 114 mm. The total length of the grenade fuse included is 136 mm while the diameter is 64 mm. The total weight is 880 grams with 425 grams of that being the white phosphorous filling.

Generally, most M15 grenades were marked with a standard coat of grey paint with yellow lettering and a single yellow band across the diameter of the grenade.