Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII-era Mk II fragmentation grenade consisting of an early “fat bottom” cast-iron body retaining approximately 60% of its aged yellow high-explosive identification paint and an associated loose M10A3 fuze marked BEC LOT 99. The body is completely hollow and the fuze is inert. The grenade has been permanently demilitarized and cannot function as an explosive device. Not Available for Export.

This is an iconic U.S. fragmentation pineapple grenade issued during WWII. The Mk II was standardized in 1920 replacing the Mk I of 1917. It was phased out gradually, the U.S. Navy being the last users, on 2 April 1945 the Mk II and Mk IIA1 were re-designated the Mk 2 and Mk 2A1.

The Mk II was commonly known as a pineapple grenade, because of its shape and structure. Grooves were cast into the cast iron shell, which was believed at the time to aid in fragmentation and had the side benefit of aiding in gripping the grenade; this provision gave it the appearance of a pineapple fruit.

Pre-WWII high explosive-filled Mk 2s were painted bright yellow. During wartime (from about 1943 and after), grenades were over-painted in olive drab, leaving a narrow yellow ring remaining at the top. Not all were over-painted, however, as D-Day film footage shows.

In 1943, “Igniter- M10A3” was the designation that was adopted to differentiate this model with the M10A3 fuze from the grenades with earlier fuzes. Declared limited standard on 6 April 1944 with the adoption of the Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, TNT, Mk. II. This example bears a loose M10A3 fuse, as the threading on the grenade body has been entirely worn away. The fuze cannot screw into the hole, but it sits fine for display. Ignition ignites the filler and expels it from the grenade body. The fuze is faintly marked:

FUZE M10A3
BEC LOT 99

The detonator tube is still mostly retained, and the fuze looks fine despite the loss of threading.

The body on this example is of the early “Fat Bottom” variant, but the bottom was cut at a slant, so the grenade does not sit straight up, instead leaning at an angle. The body retains roughly 60% of the yellow paint in the recesses, with most of the fragmentation pieces missing the paint. The body is stamped with a maker mark, D.

This example is especially interesting for the combination of its broad early-style body profile, substantial surviving yellow paint, D marking, slanted-cut base, and associated FUZE M10A3 / BEC LOT 99 fuze. The completely worn body threads, loose fuze, paint loss, and slant-cut lower surface are significant condition factors, but approximately 60% of the aged yellow finish remains visible within the recessed fragmentation pattern.

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).