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
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