Cutaway model of a M9A1 HEAT rifle grenade. This rifle grenade was fired from the M1 Garand rifle which had the M7 spigot adapter placed over the barrel end, fixated in the Bayonet lock. The outside diameter of the spigot is 22mm, as well as the inner diameter of the tail of the rifle grenade.
The rifle grenade is placed over the spigot and fired by means of a launching cartridge, meaning that before firing the rifle grenade the clip with the ball cartridges have to be removed and a launching cartridge has to be chambered.
The fuze is of the concussion type; upon impact the firing pin is swung forward into the firing cap (red) by inertia, riding the compression spring. The firing cap ignites the detonator (orange charge), which ignites the main charge of Pentolite (50% phlegmatized Pentrite / 50% TNT).
When the grenade is transported the firing pin is fixated by a wire safety clip which is placed through a groove in the firing pin, clipped around the tail on the outside. This safety is removed just prior to firing the grenade.
26.876.000 M9A1 HEAT rifle grenades were produced between January 1942 and June 1945.
The M9A1 rifle grenade is suitable to knock out the lighter German tanks (up tot he PzKw IV) and armoured cars, as can be observed in this you-tube movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_hhoNgqWXM
Diameter (max) : 55mm
Length : 282mm
Weight : 590 gram
Explosive charge : 110 gram Pentolite
Penetration : 50mm (2 inch)
Maximum range: 285 mtr
Effective range: 100 mtr.
Regards, DJH
The rifle grenade is placed over the spigot and fired by means of a launching cartridge, meaning that before firing the rifle grenade the clip with the ball cartridges have to be removed and a launching cartridge has to be chambered.
The fuze is of the concussion type; upon impact the firing pin is swung forward into the firing cap (red) by inertia, riding the compression spring. The firing cap ignites the detonator (orange charge), which ignites the main charge of Pentolite (50% phlegmatized Pentrite / 50% TNT).
When the grenade is transported the firing pin is fixated by a wire safety clip which is placed through a groove in the firing pin, clipped around the tail on the outside. This safety is removed just prior to firing the grenade.
26.876.000 M9A1 HEAT rifle grenades were produced between January 1942 and June 1945.
The M9A1 rifle grenade is suitable to knock out the lighter German tanks (up tot he PzKw IV) and armoured cars, as can be observed in this you-tube movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_hhoNgqWXM
Diameter (max) : 55mm
Length : 282mm
Weight : 590 gram
Explosive charge : 110 gram Pentolite
Penetration : 50mm (2 inch)
Maximum range: 285 mtr
Effective range: 100 mtr.
Regards, DJH
