Good Day All,
A number of years ago, I was able to find a French Mle 1948 (inert) anti-personnel rifle grenade. It evolved from the Mle 1939 grenade that could also be fired by the MAS-36 LG48 rifle series. The original bodies made of a cylindroid-ogival shape steel head with a maximum diameter of 50 mm. The empennage is 35 mm longer than the 1939 model, has three double-bladed steel fins with an inner diameter of 15 mm and an outer diameter of 40 mm.
The "live" grenade variant was painted black with a red warhead. Later, a dark green body with markings in yellow paint scheme were issued. The warhead rocket 19/23 model 1939 modified 1947 type R.S.A. (Remondy without armament) operatied by inertia after crushing the striker screwed into the head. Its length is 199 mm and weight of 485g including 75g of explosive (schneiderite, tolite or explosive NX). In order to launch it, a special wooden bullet cartridge (model 30) was used to provide a maximum range of 260m.
My particular practice/ inert version was stenciled INERTE and the year of inspection. I have it mounted on a MAS-1949 from mu collection as a representation of it "in use". The Mle 1948 grenades were declared obsolete in 1968, as the French had switched to the NATO standard (22mm) type of rifle grenades in the 1950s. However, they were used through the Indochina War and can be seen in the movie, La 317e Section., although the IMB page erroneously states it's 22mm instead of the correct 15mm.
Best Regards,
Mike
A number of years ago, I was able to find a French Mle 1948 (inert) anti-personnel rifle grenade. It evolved from the Mle 1939 grenade that could also be fired by the MAS-36 LG48 rifle series. The original bodies made of a cylindroid-ogival shape steel head with a maximum diameter of 50 mm. The empennage is 35 mm longer than the 1939 model, has three double-bladed steel fins with an inner diameter of 15 mm and an outer diameter of 40 mm.
The "live" grenade variant was painted black with a red warhead. Later, a dark green body with markings in yellow paint scheme were issued. The warhead rocket 19/23 model 1939 modified 1947 type R.S.A. (Remondy without armament) operatied by inertia after crushing the striker screwed into the head. Its length is 199 mm and weight of 485g including 75g of explosive (schneiderite, tolite or explosive NX). In order to launch it, a special wooden bullet cartridge (model 30) was used to provide a maximum range of 260m.
My particular practice/ inert version was stenciled INERTE and the year of inspection. I have it mounted on a MAS-1949 from mu collection as a representation of it "in use". The Mle 1948 grenades were declared obsolete in 1968, as the French had switched to the NATO standard (22mm) type of rifle grenades in the 1950s. However, they were used through the Indochina War and can be seen in the movie, La 317e Section., although the IMB page erroneously states it's 22mm instead of the correct 15mm.
Best Regards,
Mike
