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
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