German Explosives
Rifle Grenade (S.S. Gewehr Panzergranate 61 mm)
Overall Length: 9.4 inches
Length of Stem: 4 inches
Maximum Diameter of Head: 2.4 inches
Diameter of Stem: 1.2 inches
Total Weight: 9 ounces (approx.)
Description: This grenade consists of a streamlined, unpainted phosphated steel body closed at the head by a conical, black, pressed steel impact cup. The stem is of steel and has the normal prerifled section to correspond with the rifling in the discharge cup. The base plug is conical and is provided with two screw flats.
The propelling cartridge consists of a lacquered steel cartridge case, the extended neck of which encloses a small wooden pellet. The cap is uncolored.
Rifle Grenade (Hollow Charge Type)
Overall Length: 244 millimeters
Maximum Diameter: 61 millimeters
Diameter of Stem: 30 millimeters
Weight : 9 ounces (approx.)
Description: This grenade is similar to the S.S. Gewehr Panzergranate 61 except that it is unpainted and that the impact cap is approximately hemispherical. The stem is of steel and has the normal prerifled section to correspond with the rifling of the discharge cup. The base plug is conical and is provided with two screw flats.
The propelling charge consists of a lacquered steel cartridge case, the end of which contains a light wooden pellet. The cap is uncolored.
Anti-Personnel Rifle or Hand Grenade (Gewehr Sprenggranate)
Overall Length: 5.5 inches
Maximum Diameter: 1.2 inches
Total Weight: 9 ounces
Explosive Filler: PETN/Wax
Weight of Filler: 1.1 ounces
Maximum Range: 550 yards
Delay:
-Self-destroying: 11 seconds
-Friction igniter: 4.5 seconds
Color: Black body, aluminum fuze and base.
Description: This grenade consists of a body with explosive filling and detonator, a fuze body carrying the direct action fuze, a friction igniter, and a base fitment carrying the delay of the self-destroying system. The body is in the form of a steel tube having a diaphragm near the bottom. It is screw-threaded at the nose to receive the fuze body and the base to receive the base fitment. The diaphragm is screw-threaded centrally to receive the delay igniter.
The filling is penthrite wax contained in a cardboard container. The explosive has a central cavity which holds the detonator encase in an aluminum container at one end, and receives the igniter delay pellet from the diaphragm at the other end.
The fuze is made of aluminum and is of the direct action type. The base of the fuze body is threaded externally to enter the grenade body and internally to receive a detonator holder. It consists of a striker held away from the primer by a creep spring and a coiled spring. Around the coiled spring is an inertia pellet resting on four fingers of a stirrup spring fixed in the base of a stirrup spring retainer. The inertia pellet has a groove cut on the inside of it. The friction igniter which is similar to the B.Z. 24 used with stick hand grenades screws into the central channel of the diaphragm. The igniter pellet has a delay of 4.5 seconds.
The rifled base fitment is screw threaded externally to screw into the base of the grenade and internally at the base to receive a closing plug. A 6.5 second delay pellet contained in a brass holder is situated in the base.
The propelling cartridge is a 7.92mm cartridge closed at the shoulder by crimping. The propellant consists of 0.9 grams of nitrocellulose flakes.
Operation:
1. Rifle Grenade -- On discharge, the inertia pellet of the fuze is driven downwards and the ends of the stirrup spring are forced into the grooves of the inertia pellet thus holding it down. The clock spring is now held in position by the collar of the striker pin and the stirrup spring retainer. On deceleration the clock spring flies outward, assisted by centrifugal force, into the recess in the fuze body. On impact, the striker compresses the creep spring and penetrates the primer whose flash explodes the detonator.
Should the fuze not function, the grenade will be self-destructive. On firing, the flash enters the hole in the closing plug and igniters the delay pellet which burns for 6.5 seconds. This then fires the friction igniter which will give an additional delay of 4.5 seconds and then fires the detonator.
2. Hand Grenade -- The base fitment is unscrewed and the cord of the friction igniter pulled. This gives a delay of 4.5 seconds and then fires the detonator.
Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 15)
Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters
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