German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 19)

      

German Explosives

Pistol Grenade Message

Description: The round consists of a pre-rifled aluminum grenade with a plastic head and an aluminum cartridge case.  The black plastic head contains a message form and a pencil and screws on to the body.  The pre-rifled body contains a smoke generator, a colored silk streamer and an ejection charge.  The aluminum case is marked "Nachr Z."  The round is designed for use in the 27mm rifled signal pistol.

Operation: On firing, the flash from the propellant ignites the delay pellet in the grenade base plate.  This, in turn, ignites the ejecting charge which expels the message container, smoke generator and silk streamer from the grenade body in flight.

27mm Multi-Star Signal Cartridge

Overall Length: 6 inches

Maximum Diameter: 1.06 inches

Filling: Propellant and Pyrotechnic

Description: The cartridge consists of a light alloy outer container complete with the propelling charge and an inner container in which there are six star units.  Running through the center of the star units is an assembly of two brass tubes which are held in position by a central cannelure into which the inner container is indented and fixed by means of a steel pin.  The outer tube has one set of six flash holes which coincide with the inner surfaces of the six stars.  The inner tube has six sets of holes in the outer tube by means of the setting cap, which is fixed to the inner tube by a spring retaining clip on the closing screw.  The inner tube contains gunpowder and is closed at the inner end by a screwed plug which contains a delay pellet.  It is used for signaling.

Operation: The desired combination of colored stars is obtained by moving the index mark on the setting cap to the appropriate position on the scale, which is graduated from 0 to 40.

The six combinations of stars are:

Commencing with 3 red and 3 green at "0", its other combinations would be obtained at settings 7, 14, 21, 27, and 34 respectively.

In firing, the inner container is ejected, and after the delay pellet has burned through, the flash passes immediately along the whole length of the inner tube, igniting and ejecting the stars in accordance with the setting.  The stars which are not ignited remain in the container and fall to earth intact.

Next Time: Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 3)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters 

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 18)

     

German Explosives

Pistol Grenade, 326 Leuchtpistole (26mm Wurfgranatepatrone)

Overall Length: 4.5 inches

Maximum Diameter: 1 inch

Weight of Complete Round: 4.2 ounces

Weight of Projectile: 3.2 ounces

Filler: TNT

Weight of Filler: 7 grams

Color: Yellow

Description: This grenade consists of a projectile having the appearance of a miniature mortar shell and a brass cartridge case.  The two parts are crimped together.

The grenade itself is constructed in two parts:  the nose cap and the body.  The nose cap is rounded and screws into the body of the grenade.  Within the body is a case containing the detonator and main filling.  Between the case and the fixed firing pin in the nose cap is a creep spring.  The case is prevented from moving forward before firing by two metal balls fitting into a hole in the base of the carrier and resting in grooves in a platform in the body.  An arming rod fits between the balls holding them out.

On the base are four fins which have the same diameter as the body.  Contained in the cartridge case which fits over the after part of the grenade is about 0.1 ounce of rifle powder.

Operation: On firing, the arming rod will be forced out of the base by setback.  This will happen after 10 to 12 yards of flight and the grenade is then armed.  When the rod falls out, the balls will move in and the case is free to move forward except for the creep spring.  On impact, the case moves forward and the detonator moves onto the fixed firing pin thus exploding the grenade.

H.E. Cartridge for 27mm (1-inch) Grenade Pistol (Sprengpatrone Fur Kampfpistole)

Overall Length: 3 inches

Weight of Complete Round: 5 ounces

Weight of Projectile: 3.5 ounces

Filler: PETN/Wax

Weight of Filler: 339 grams

Propellant: Graphited black powder

Color: Unpainted aluminum

Description: This grenade consists of a die cast aluminum container which encases a steel tube containing the explosive.  The fuse screws to the steel tube and the tube and aluminum container are secured by knurling and indents.  The propellant charge is contained in a cup which has a push fit to the grenade with 10 holes in the cup to lead the gases to the base of the grenade.

The grenade has five grooves making one-quarter turn in the length of the projectile, grooved on the aluminum body.  The steel liner is threaded internally to take a nose percussion fuze.  The explosive filler consists of two penthrite wax pellets separated by cardboard discs.  The fuze is a direct action type and is fitted with a protruding striker head.  The striker is held away from the primer by six steel balls which rest in a groove in the striker and on a platform of the fuze.  These balls are kept in position by a steel collar which is supported on three aluminum pins.  There is also a creep spring between the striker and the primer.  Beneath the primer there is a gaine contained in an aluminum case and consisting of lead azide and lead styphnate in the upper part and PETN in the lower part.  Between the gaine and the main filling there is an empty air space.

The discharge cup is a push fit with the base of the grenade which is turned down to fit into the cup.  The cup has in its base a lead styphnate primer contained in a brass holder.  Forward of the cap is the propelling charge of black powder and 10 holes to lead the gases to the base of the grenade.

Operation: On firing, the propelling charge propels the grenade and it rotates because of the rifling on the body.  On setback, the collar in the fuze moves back crushing the aluminum pins and, because of the centrifugal force, the balls then fly outward, freeing the striker which is kept off the primer by the creep spring.  On impact, the striker impinges the primer, setting off the gaine and main filler.

Hollow Charge Signal Pistol Grenade (Pz. W. K. 42 L. P.)

Weight: 1 pound 5 ounces

Diameter of Head: 2.4 inches

Diameter of Tail Tube: 0.875 inches

Description: The head of this grenade is pear shaped, contains the hollow charge and is fitted with an impact cap at the forward end.  At the rear is the tail tube containing the graze fuze, detonator and gaine.  A short length of this tube is prerifled.  Attached to this tail tube by a shear pin is a thinner tube containing the propellant, percussion cap and shearing bolt.

The grenade is fired from the German Walther 27mm signal pistol.  In order to fire this grenade, the signal pistol is fitted with a 23mm rifled linear, a special sight, and a folding butt.

Operation: The complete round is loaded into the signal pistol from the muzzle end.  The propellant tube fits freely in the fore until the prerifled band hits the muzzle.  At that point, the grenade has to be screwed into the rifling of the pistol.  The grenade is safe until fired.

On firing, the propellant gases drive forward the shearing bolt which breaks the shear pin and the grenade is discharged.  The graze fuze in the tail unit is armed by setback as the grenade leaves the pistol.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 19)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters 

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 17)

    

German Explosives

Hollow Charge Grenade Faustpatrone

Overall Length: 41 inches

Length of Tube: 31.5 inches

Length of Body: 19.5 inches

Calibre of Tube: 1.75 inches

Weight of Grenade: 6.62 pounds

Weight of Tube and Grenade: 11 pounds

Weight of Filler: 3.4 pounds

Effective Range: 33 yards

Description: The Faustpatrone consists of a large hollow charge H.E. grenade and a projecting tube.  The grenade consists of a large head and a cylindrical body terminating in a tal to which are attached four spring steel stabilizing fins.  The body contains a base fuze and a booster.

The projector is a simple metal tube in which is located a propellant charge contained in a waxed cardboard container held in position by a set screw.  On the opposite side of the set screw is an igniter situated below a flash hole.  On top of the tube is a simple firing mechanism with release button, firing pin and spring, and a safety catch.  There is also a folding sight.

Operation: The grenade is armed by unscrewing the tail and inserting the booster and fuze, open ends facing each other.  The tail is then replaced.  The fins are wrapped around the tail and the grenade inserted into the tube.  The pressure of the fins against the inside of the tube serves to retain the grenade in position.

The firing mechanism is cocked by pushing the lock forward until the release button emerges.  The lock then slides back to its original position.  The weapon is now cocked and "safe".

To make ready for firing, the lock is rotated 90 degrees to the left.  The tube is held under the right arm, the left hand supporting the forward part.  Aiming is accomplishing by aligning the sight, placed vertical to the tube.  The sight is adjustable for a range of 33 yards.  To fire, depress the release button, thus allowing the striker to go forward.  The tube cannot be used a second time.

Safety Precautions:

1. Set Faustpatrone to "fire" only when using.  The Faustpatrone can be set to safe again if it has not been fired.

2. To set from "fire" to "safe" , turn bolt to vertical, then push fully forward and hold.  Press release button and allow it to slide back slowly so that firing pin spring is allowed to expand.  Snap sight back onto tube and replace the split pin.

3. On discharge, a sheet of flame up to 6 feet long comes from the rear end of the tube.  Great care must be taken that the flame and bits of wadding do not hit either the firer or anyone standing behind him.  The danger zone extends up to 30 feet.  There must be a clear space (IE: no earth, stones, or wall) for the flame at least 6 feet behind the tube.

4. If propellant charge fails, do not attempt to fiddle around with the weapon.  It must be laid aside carefully and exploded.  Delayed explosions may still occur.  Should the hollow charge detonator fail to explode, the grenade must on no account be touched but must be exploded by placing an explosive charge against it.

5. During practice firing with live ammunition, an area of 800 yards around firer and target must be closed off.  Firer must wear steel helmet.

Pistol Grenade (Wurfkorper Leuchtpistole)

Overall Length: 6.89 inches

Maximum Diameter: 3 inches

Delay: 4.5 seconds

Range: 80 yards

Color: Olive Green

Description: This grenade is fired from the 27mm Walther signal pistol.  It consists of the normal egg hand grenade attached to a plastic stem or body by a retaining tube.  The plastic stem contains the firing pin, delay igniter, detonator, and a base adapter for the propelling charge.  The end of the stem is closed before firing by a cardboard cap.

The retaining tube fits through the hollow stem and is threaded to it.  The retaining tube is also threaded to the grenade body and contains in its forward part the 4.5 second igniter.  In the base of the tube is a fuze consisting of a firing pin held away from the primer by a creep spring and safety pin.  An alloy flash tube connects the primer to the delay igniter.

Screwed into the base of the plastic stem is a base adapter containing a primer and propelling charge.

Operation: Before firing, the safety pin is pulled out and the grenade is then armed.  The stem is placed in a barrel reinforcing tube which is inserted previously inn the barrel of the pistol.  On impact, the firing pin overcomes the creep spring and impinges the primer thus igniting the delay igniter which will detonate the explosive after a delay of approximately 4.5 seconds.

Pistol Grenade H.E. Egg Type

Description: This grenade is fired from the latest type Walther 27mm signal pistol.  It is used without the addition of a rifled liner of reinforcing tube in the barrel, or the special sights used with the hollow charge grenade.  The folding putt on the pistol may be used by is not necessary; the pistol can be held in the hand for firing if the arm is slightly bent.

The difference from the old grenade 361 L.P. lies in the projector stem.  The stem on this grenade has a sliding fit in the smooth bore of the pistol.  It consists of a wooden cylinder with thin metal reinforcing sleeves at each end.  A grenade adapter is screwed to the forward end of the projector stem and contains a 4.5 second delay pellet.  

At the after end the stem is firmly held in a short metal cartridge which contains the percussion cap.  Inside this end of the stem are the propellant, the striker, and the initiating percussion cap.

For loading, the plastic cap is removed from the forward end of the stem and an egg grenade, complete with detonator, is screwed to the stem.  The complete grenade is loaded into the pistol from the muzzle end until a spring locking ring on the stem engages in a groove at the breach of the barrel.  The grenade is firmly held and cannot fall out.

Operation: There is no safety pin and the grenade is safe until fired.  When fired, the grenade and stem are propelled from the short cartridge case and at the same time the striker in the stem is driven forward to the percussion cap.  A flash travels through the hollow stem and ignites the delay pellet.  After 4.5 seconds the grenade detonates.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 18)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters 

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 16)

   

German Explosives

Hollow Charge Grenade (Schuss Gg. P-40)

Overall Length: 9.3 inches

Length of Body: 3.1 inches

Maximum Diameter: 2.4 inches

Filler: Cyclonite/Wax

Markings: Blue band around projection at the base of the body.

Color: Olive Green

Description: The grenade consists of a stream-lined bell-shaped body, with a slightly convex closing disk of aluminum, a graze fuze which screws into a projection on the base of the body, and a vaned tail unit which screws on the base of the fuze and is closed by a rubber plug.

The body is made of thin steel and is streamlined with a cylindrical projection welded at the base.  The projection is screw-threaded internally for the insertion of the fuze.  A hole in the base of the body is fitted with an aluminum cup to accommodate the protruding magazine of the fuze.  The head of the body is closed by a concave disk of aluminum which is secured by the overturned rim of the body.

The bursting chare consists of cast cyclonite-wax with a hemispherical cavity in the head.  The cavity is fitted with an aluminum liner of corresponding shape with a flange which fits inside the body at the head.

The fuze is cylindrical with an external screw-thread at each end for assembly as the connecting piece between the tail unit and the body.  A central recess contains the striker and creep spring and is closed at its enlarged front end by an aluminum magazine which is screwed in and contains a detonator and an intermediary explosive.  A transverse channel near the base contains a spring-loaded screwed shearing pin which engages in a recess in the stem of the striker.  Another channel containing a cutting pin with spring, is bored from the base of the body and communicates with the shearing pin at a point where the shearing pin is reduced in diameter.  A circular plate, secured in a recess in the base of the body by two screws, retains the cutting pin in its channel.  The base end of the cutting pin passes through a hole in the circular plate and is thus exposed to the pressure of the propellant gases.

The tail unit screws on to the base of the fuze and consists of a drawn-steel tube with six vanes formed in pairs.  The cartridge is placed inside the tube for transport and the tube is closed at the base by a rubber plug.  The cartridge is of the 7.92mm small arm type with an undyed hollow wooden bullet.

Operation: The grenade is fired from the spigot type discharger.  On firing, the hollow wooden bullet is shattered by the propellant gases, which project the grenade.  The propelling gases overcome the spring of the cutting pin and drive the pin forward, causing it to cut the shearing pin away from its screwed end.  The shearing pin is then ejected by the spring held in compression under its head, and thus leaves the striker held off the detonator only by the creep spring.  On graze the momentum of the striker overcomes the creep spring and the detonator is pierced.

Propaganda Rifle Grenade - Gewehr Propaganda Granate

Overall Length: 5.7 inches

Total Weight:  8 ounces

Weight w/o Leaflets: 7 ounces

Delay: 9 seconds

Range: 500 yards

Description: This grenade is fired from the rifled 3-cm discharger cup (Schiessbecher) which can be fitted to most types of German rifles.  The body of this grenade is a steel case with a pre-rifled base.  Inside the base there is a 9-second delay fuze and an ejecting charge for the pamphlets.  Two steel leaflets packing covers are held loosely inside the case and fitting over the top of these is a removable steel cap.  The leaflets are inserted by removing the steel cap and rolling the leaflets tightly making sure that they do not show above the rim of the case.  The cap is then replaced.

The case and cap are varnished to protect them from rust and the ejecting charge is protected by a cardboard disk to prevent moisture from causing deterioration.

The propelling cartridge is distinguished from other rifle grenade cartridges by a red ring around the base.

Operation: When the grenade is fired, the propelling cartridge will ignite the delay fuze.

Approximately 9 seconds after discharge, the delay fuze will set off the ejecting charge, blowing off the cap and forcing the leaflets out the nose.

Illuminating Star on Parachute Rifle Grenade

Gewehr Fallschirmleuchtgranate (Gw. F. S. St. Gr.)

Overall Length: 6.88 inches

Diameter: 1.18 inches

Weight: .28 grams

Propellant: 1.5 g propellant enclosed in a cartridge case which is closed with a wooden bullet

Color: White cap. "Gewehr Fallschirmleuchtgranate" stencilled on body.

Description: This grenade consists of a thin-walled body which contains another internal container.  The internal container holds the parachute and illuminating star.  The grenade has a thin conical cap and is fitted with two delay pellets and two ejection charges.

Operation: On firing, delay 1 is ignited by the flash from the propellent gases.  After 6.5 seconds of flight, ejection charge 1 is initiated.  This ejects the container holding the star and parachute.  At the same time, delay 2 is initiated.  During this part of the flight, the cap hands from the container by means of a cord.  After delay 2 has burned through (2 seconds), ejection charge 2 is initiated and the parachute and star eject.  It is stated that distances up to 650 meters may be illuminated.

Remarks: Each grenade is packed together with a propellent charge in a cardboard container.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 17)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters