Italian Explosive Ordnance - Hand and Mortar Grenades

Italian Explosive Ordnance

Hand and Mortar Grenades

 Italian high-explosive anti-personnel hand grenades are almost totally of the "offensive" type.  Although the loading factor is usually low, the grenade bodies are not adapted for maximum fragmentation.  The anti-tank grenades are adaptations of the anti-personnel grenades with an additional charge.  There is no evidence of the use of shaped charges in Italian anti-tank grenades.  Likewise, the chemical grenades that are not frangible are made of adapted anti-personnel grenade bodies and mechanisms with a chemical filler.  The Italians did not make use of the rifle grenade, but did use a small mortar, not unlike a grenade projector, to fire a mortar grenade.

Italian grenades are of the impact type.  They incorporate an "all-ways" acting fuze which arms in flight.  For the reason, grenades in the armed position are very sensitive.


 

Breda Hand Grenades Mod 35, Mod 40, and Mod 42

Mod 35
Overall length: 3.8 inches

Maximum diameter: 2.1 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.1 ounces
Total weight: 7 ounces
 
Mod 40

Overall length: 9.5 inches
Maximum diameter: 2.1 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.1 ounces
Total weight: Unknown

 
Mod 42

Overall length: 12 inches
Maximum diameter: 3.62 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Total weight: 2.75 pounds

Color: Red body, with Black safety cap

Description: Types Mod 40 and Mod 42 incorporate the M35 in their construction.  The Mod 40 is a Mod 35 with a hollow wooden handle attached, and the Mod 42 is a Mod 40 with a light metal globe 3 and 5/8 inches in diameter screwed onto the bottom to give an additional charge for anti-tank use.  The other types are for anti-personnel use.

The Mod 35 grenade is longer and thinner than the S.R.C.M. 35 grenade and has hemispherical ends.  It consists of a thin aluminum case in two parts.  The safety strip is in the form of an elongated U and passes through the grenade on either side of the channel-shaped safety device.  The ends of the strip pass into slots in the top of a loose metal piece which is retained by a pin in the large safety cap (of light aluminum).  The striker pin is attached to the heavy head.

Around the detonator tube is a perforated metal tube attached to the striker head.  The spring maintains the striker away from the detonator until impact.

Operation: On withdrawal of the safety strip, the safety cap is freed.  At one end it is attached to a brass strip which is wound twice around the head of the grenade, and attached at the other end to the safety device.  During flight, the safety cap pulls this out, arming the grenade so that it fires on impact.







Hand Grenade O.T.O. Mod 35
 

Overall length: 3.4 inches
Maximum diameter: 2.1 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.5 ounces
Total weight: 7.4 ounces

Color: Red body, with Black safety cap

Description: This grenade is composed of a very light casing of metal, made in two parts: a flat lower cylinder, and, screwed to this, a cylinder of smaller diameter which has a truncated cone-shaped top.

The safety pin consists of two long brass strips and one short brass strip.  The two longer strips pass one on either side of the base of the channel-shaped safety device, and the short strip engages and looks in a slot in the body of the grenade.  The striker is riveted to the cap, the top of which is shaped to take the heavy metal ball.  The explosive is contained in a metal box which has a well in it for the detonator.  A spring holds the striker away from the detonator.

Operation: On withdrawal of the pin, the safety cap (of light aluminum) is freed so that it becomes disengaged during flight.  The cap is hinged and by its weight withdraws the channel-shaped safety device.  The grenade is then armed to fire upon impact.  In trial with this grenade, no ill effects were felt by men standing 25 yards from the burst.  There is practically no fragmentation, and the blast is only fair.

Hand Grenade S.R.C.M. Mod 35
 

Overall length: 3.1 inches
Maximum diameter: 2.5 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 1.5 ounces
Total weight: 7 ounces

Color: Red with unpainted safety cap

Description: The outer case is in two parts which screw together.  Both parts are stamped to form a seating for the collar, and the upper part is cut to take the safety bars.  Internally the grenade consists of two metal collars and two light metal cylinders.  The striker is riveted to the head of the open cylinder, around the outside of which is wound some coarse wire to form the metal loading.  The lower cylinder is a loose fit inside the upper one, and carries the explosive charge, a pressed block of impure TNT recessed to take the detonator.  The cap contains the helical spring which holds the striker and detonator apart.

The safety strip passes over the ring and is bent up under it, so securing the safety cap (of light aluminum) to which the ring is attached.  Between two safety strips is an elliptical metal strip, with an eccentric hole, whose ends are joined by a spring passing around the side of a cylinder.  This acts as a safety shutter, and on impact one end jerks forward to a position in which the striker is centrally behind the hole in the shutter to fire the detonator.  Two steel collars rest in recesses in the cylinders.  If the grenade falls on its side, these are jerked from their seatings and force the cylinders together.

Operation: When the safety pin is withdrawn, the safety cap is free to disengage during flight and withdraw the second safety strip.  The delay in arming is effected by means of a short chain, attached at one end to the safety cap and at the other to a safety strip.  The bight of the chain is wound once around the stop.  On impact, the safety shutter moves into alignment, the cylinders come together, and the striker impinges upon the detonator.  There is only slight fragmentation from this grenade.

P.C.R. Grenade
 

Overall length: 5 and 1/2 inches
Maximum diameter: 2 and 1/2 inches

Color: Unpainted aluminum

Description: The grenade body is of three parts, the two end caps threading into the middle section.  Two shallow cones of aluminum, each with a striker and the center of a four-pring stirrup spring at its apex, are contained in a 1 and 1/2 inch diameter cylinder held in the middle section by two collars.  One of the cones is at each end of this cylinder and, in the space formed, is a heavy lead 1 inch in diameter.  The action of the ball in this cavity makes the fuze "all-ways" acting.  The detonators are held in two cylindrical tubes, one attached to the center of each end cap.  The end cap is closed by a metal cover, and the explosive filling is contained there-in. 

The first safety strip consist of a rubber pull tab and a one-piece U-shaped bar of light, soft metal.  Each end of this passes through an opening in the middle section, between a striker and a detonator, to protrude slightly through the opposite side of the body.  The second safety strip is attached to the hinged wing-shaped safety cap which passes around the body over the middle section.  There are two bars, each to pass through the body and cover a striker.  Thus, each striker is held <?> its detonator by a stirrup spring and two safety bars.

Operation: The first safety strip is removed before throwing, and, when the grenade is thrown, the wing-shaped safety cap will open and pull off, activating the second safety strip.  Then each striker is <?> from its detonator by the light spring only and the grenade will fire on impact.
 
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"L" Type Anti-Tank Hand Grenade
 

Overall length: 15 inches
Maximum circumference: 14 and 1/4 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Length of handle: 10 and 3/4 inches
Total weight: 4 and 1/2 pounds

Color: Red body, unpainted handle

Description: This grenade consists of a metal casing with a wooden throwing handle.  A tab protrudes from the top of the casing.  Pulling this tab removes a safety strip which, while in, blocks the striker from the detonator.  There is also a small metal strip protruding from the base of the handle.  This strip is held in position by a wire in the side of the handle.  The wire is held in position by a piece of tape secured by a pin.  The firing mechanism is always-acting, much like the O.T.O. Mod 35 Hand Grenade.

Operation: Before throwing this grenade, remove the safety strip attached to the tab.  Then, holding the handle firmly, remove the pin.  Be sure that the wire is held securely.  When the grenade is thrown, the wire is released, this releases the small metal strip, which then moves over into a position so that the hole in it is in alignment with the striker and detonator.  On impact, the striker and detonator are brought together, firing the grenade.

Remarks: This grenade was designed for use against vehicles and tanks.  The grenade should be thrown at a distance of 15 to 20 meters from the target and cover should be taken as protection against fragmentation.  In the armed position, the grenade is very sensitive.

Breda Mortar Grenade
 

Overall length: 5 and 1/4 inches
Maximum circumference: 1 and 3/4 inches
Type of filling: TNT

Color: Red body, black tail

Description: The body of this grenade is steel, while the tail is of aluminum alloy.  The two are screwed together.  The steel cap is attached to a steel strip, and a double brass safety strip holds the cap in place.  The safety strip passes through two slots near the head of the grenade, and lies in the recess of the zinc striker holder.  The tail of the H.E. grenade is painted red to distinguish it from practice and instructional grenades, which have yellow and unpainted aluminum tails, respectively.  It is fired from the 45mm Light Mortar, Model 35 "Brixia".

Operation: On withdrawing the safety strip, the cap is freed; and, on firing, the setback causes the safety device to move down into its slot.  This safety device consists of a short brass rod which projects into one of the holes in the disc and holds the disc from rotating.  Four light brass spring strips hold the rod in the "setback" position.  At the same time, the collar also sets back onto the firing-cap holder, being held in position by the detent spring.  The collar and holder then act as one, and can move under the influence of the spring. 

During flight, the disc rotates as air passes through the oblique holes near the edge of the disc.  The striker, being prevented from rotating by the square shape of the portion moving in a square-shaped channels is thus moved forward toward the detonator.  The grenade is then armed.  On impact, the detonator slides forward on the spring and hits the striker.

Incendiary Bottle Grenade
 

Bottle: 1-liter size
Filling: Inflammable liquid

Color: Transparent

Description: The incendiary grenade is made from an ordinary one-liter glass bottle, fitted with a metal pressure cap, and containing an inflammable liquid.  A fuse match, protected by a canvas cover, is fixed to the side of the bottle by two rings of cord.  To the top of the fuse is attached a fine cord, which, on being pulled, fires the fuse.  To avoid accidental ignition by a chance drawing of the cord, the cord has a small wooden handle and is fixed to the neck of the bottle by a ring of thread.

Operation: Just before use, the wooden handle is freed by a light pull on the ring of thread which is securing it to the neck of the bottle.  The handle is then given a sharp pull, and a small flame will appear at the lower end of the fuse.  The bottle should then be thrown with force against the target.  If the bottle is not thrown immediately, it may burst before reaching the target.  A minimum of two seconds is given between the lighting of the fuse and the bursting of the bottle.  The Italians consider the grenade to be a good weapon for defense against AFV's at close quarters.

Smoke Hand Grenades
 
Types:
S.R.C.M. Model 35 F
O.T.O. Model 35 F
Breda Model 35 F

Markings: Top part red; lower part black; white letter F (Fumogeno) on black background

Description: These grenades are similar in construction to their H.E. equivalents, but contain a liquid smoke filling mixture of chlorsulfonic acid and sulphur trioxide.  They produce a fairly dense white smoke cloud of two to three yards front, but cannot be used if wind strength is above 7 mph.

Operation: Same as H.E. equivalents.

Smoke Incendiary Hand Grenades
 
Types:
S.R.C.M. Model 35 FI
O.T.O. Model 35 FI
Breda Model 35 FI

Markings: Top part red; lower part black; white letter FI on black background

Description: Correspond to H.E. equivalents, with explosive filling replaced by a charge of white phosphorus.  The burst creates a dense white smoke covering an area about 11 by 4 yards.

Operation: Same as H.E. equivalents.



Practice and Drill Grenades

1. The grenade containing a small charge is white, with a 1/2 inch red band around the place where the two parts of the body join.

2. The instruction or drill grenade is unpainted or black.

3. The practice grenade with a smoke filler is yellow.

S.R.C.M. Mod 35 Practice Grenade is recognizable by six large holes cut in its body above and below the screw threads.  The lower cylinder containing the H.E. charge is replaced by a brass cylinder having a truncated conical bottom with four holes in it.  This cylinder holds a smoke producing charge in a celluloid container.  The shutter is simplified so that there is no "safe" position <?> impact.

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Next Time: Italian Mines and Traps

Imperial Japanese Explosives - Land Mines and Grenades (Part 5)

Imperial Japanese Explosives

  

  

Incendiary Stick Grenade
 

Overall length: 13.2 inches
Maximum diameter: 1 and 5/8 inches
Length of handle: 5.3 inches
Filling: Phosphorus, rubber pellets, and carbon disulphide
  

Description: This grenade body is long and cylindrical with hemispherical ends.  The handle is solid and has a transverse hole drilled through one end.  The body is filled with 41 phosphorus-impregnated rubber pellets in carbon disulphide.  These pellets are scattered by means of a small central bursting charge.  It is possible that the grenade is sometimes filled with a phosphorus smoke filling.  The handle protrudes from one end of the body, the fuze from the body.

The fuze consists of a brass inertia pellet with a steel firing pin separated from the primer by a creep spring.  The inertia weight is held into the fuze by a light brass cap which is crimped into a cannelure in the fuze body so as to prevent the firing pin from reaching the primer.  The firing pin is threaded into the inertia weight, and, before arming, it is not screwed in far enough and its point does not protrude below the base of the inertia weight.

Therefore, before using the grenade it is necessary to screw the firing pin into the inertia weight so that it will protrude.  In addition, a double brass safety pin fits through holes in the brass cap and fuze body into holes in the inertia weight thus preventing the firing pin from reaching the percussion cap.

The delay pellet screws into the base of the fuze and contains a small quantity of granular black powder in the top and a highly pressed pellet of black powder in the lower section.  A hole drilled in the side of the fuze contains a fusible plug which melts when the black powder burns, allowing the escape of the gases formed on combustion of the delay train.  The escape of these gases will enable the thrower to know if the delay pellet has ignited.

Operation: The firing pin must first be threaded down into the inertia weight.  The safety pin is then withdrawn.  Just before throwing, it is necessary to strike the inertia weight on a hard object, driving the striker down into the primer and igniting the delay.  The detonation of the burster tube will scatter the incendiary pellets which will ignite spontaneously.

 

  

Molotov Cocktail

Overall length: 11 and 1/4 inches
Maximum diameter: 2 and 1/3 inches
Filling: Any inflammable benzene-type liquid
Capacity: 12 ounces
  

Description: The body of this grenade consists of a Japanese beer bottle into the top of which is fitted an "all-way" action fuze.  There is a rubber washer under the fuze to render it liquid tight, and the fuze fits into the neck of the bottle in the manner of a crown stopper.

The fuze consists of a firing pin contained in a housing and separated from the detonator contained in a carrier by a safety pin and a creep spring.  The firing pin housing has a hemispherical weight on the top of it and bears against the underside of the nose cap which is of a similar shape.  The bottom of the detonator carrier is also rounded and bears against a cam surface so that it too is free to move.

The safety pin runs through the firing pin housing and rests against the top of the detonator carrier so that neither part is free to move.  Beneath the detonator there is an incendiary mixture consisting of barium nitrate and magnesium.

Operation: The safety pin is pulled out and the grenade is thrown.  On impact the "all-way" fuze will function and set off the detonator thus igniting the incendiary booster and inflammable filler.

Phosphorus-Ignited Molotov Cocktail

Carton
Length: 13 and 1/2 inches
Diameter: 3 and 1/2 inches

Bottle
Length: 9 and 3/4 inches
Diameter: 2 and 1/8 inches

Igniter Capsule
Length: 3/8 inch
Diameter: 2 and 1/8 inches

Weights
Grenade (complete): 2 pounds, 12 ounces
Bottle (filled): 1 pound, 10.5 ounces
Inflammable liquid: 9.5 ounces
Igniter capsule (complete): 2 ounces
Igniter compound (black phosphorus): 1 ounce

Filling: 15 percent solution of polymethylmethacrylate in benzene
  

Description: The grenade consists of a 300 cc green or clear glass bottle filled with an inflammable liquid and sealed with an ordinary crown type cap.  The bottle is fitted with an adjustable rubber harness which is used to hold a flat circular glass igniter capsule to the base.

The grenade is packed in a tubular varnished cardboard carton.  The igniter capsule is well protected in the container by several layers of cardboard and sawdust.

Operation: A rip cord is pulled to open the carton.  The igniter capsule is secured to the base of the bottle by the rubber harness.  When the grenade is thrown forcible against a hard target it shatters and the friction between the pieces of phosphorus causes instant ignition of the inflammable material.  The viscous nature of the filling prevents undue splashing and insures adherence to the target.

Frangible HCN Grenades
  

Maximum diameter: 3.9 inches

Total Weight: 1.2 pounds
Filling: Hydrocyanic acid
Weight of filling: 12.2 fluid ounces
Capacity: 14.5 fluid ounces

Description: These grenades are recognizable mainly as round glass bowls filled with HCN.

They differ in minor details:
1. The copper stabilized type is round bottom whereas the 172 B-K and 172 C-K have flat bottoms.

2. The copper gives one a yellow tint while the other two appear to be light green.

3. The copper stabilized type has one moulded ring around the outside instead of two.

4. The copper stabilized type is closed by a crown cap over a cork stopper and the other two are closed by a crown cap over a rubber washer.

5. The copper stabilized type is carried in a sheet metal container and the 172 B-K and 172 C-K are carried in cardboard containers.

The grenades contain 12.2 oz. of liquid which is about 80% Hydrocyanic acid.   This is a very strong systemic poison.

Operation: The grenade is thrown and on impact the glass will break releasing the HCN.  This gas is swift and deadly if inhaled.  In such quantities the gas is exceptionally nonpersistent so these grenades are designed for use in small closed spaces such as pillboxes and tanks.

Frangible Smoke Grenade

Overall length: 3.3 inches
Maximum diameter: 2.6 inches
Circumference: 9.3 inches
Color: Light Yellow
Total weight: 9.7 ounces
Filling: Titanium and silicon tetrachloride
Weight of filling: 4.1 ounces
  

Description:  This grenade is a flat bottom spherical container made of clear glass.  It has a short neck closed by a red rubber stopper held under a red rubber washer within an inner iron crown cap, this being enclosed by a heavier iron outer crown cap.

The filling is a mixture of titanium and silicon tetrachloride which will be hydrolyzed by the moisture of the air, with the formation of hydroxides and hydrochloric acid.
  

Operation: The grenade is thrown and on impact the glass bottle breaks releasing the fluid and producing smoke.  It is intended for use in screening operations.  Though the filler is irritating to the skin as a liquid, in ordinary field concentrations the smoke is hardly irritating enough to cause coughing.

Explosive Toothpaste Tube
  

Length: 6.87 inches
Width: 2 inches (approximately)

Explosive: RDX (80.2%); mineral oil and wax (19.8%)
Weight of explosive: 4.23 ounces

Description: The "Tube of Toothpaste" is an unpainted, tin tube which contains an explosive filling and takes a separately packed ignition device.  The tube is closed by a screwed cap.

The ignition device consists primarily of a brass plug which contains a match composition, a brass tube housing the black powder delay train, and a brass detonator tube filled with mercury fulminate over tetryl.

The brass plug is threaded externally to receive a safety cap, and internally at the opposite end to take the delay tube.  The detonator is crimped into the delay tube.

Operation: Remove the screw cap from the tube, insert the igniting device, remove the safety cap, and strike the match composition against a rough surface.




Explosive Coal
  

Length: 3 inches (approximately)
Width: 2 inches (approximately)

Explosive: RDX
Color: Black

Description:  These devices consist of thin earthenware containers of irregular sizes and shapes coated with a bitumen type of paint to give them the appearance of anthracite coal.  Each container if filled with explosive and contains an igniter.  The igniter is a copper tube with a detonator at one end and a small black powder charge at the other end placed next to the container wall.

Close examination of a single piece of explosive will identification, but it is virtually impossible to detect when mixed with real coal.

Operation: When exposed to fire, the heat eventually ignites the black powder which in turn sets off the detonator and main charge.

Next Time: More Imperial Japanese Sabotage Devices, and Rifle Grenades