U.S. M67 & M69 baseball grenades

[dano1917]

Just a little ditty on the U.S. baseball grenades. The M67 is an olive drab painted baseball sized grenade which can be thrown by the average man about 30 meters. Uses a 4.2 sec delay fuze with an affected radius of about 15 meters. The M69 baseball grenade is a practice version of the M67 and painted blue with white letters denoting that is is a practice grenade. These are not to be confused with the novelty knockoffs making the surplus store circuit which are a bit larger and made of a much more porous iron material. IF AN M69 HAS A CAST IRON BODY IT IS FAKE

 

[dano1917]

the knockoff novelty m67

For comparisons sake I figured i'd better show the knockoff piece found on surplus circuit for 10.00 and less. Notice the porousity of the body. It is obvious...Dano

 

[HAZORD]

Dano,

The version of the blue practice grenade that you show in your photo is one of a number of versions of this grenade. Other versions do not have the very visible joint at the equator.

The "Pourous" ones you mention are either cast iron or cast steel. The older WWII pineapple and Vietnam era practice versions were cast, with the rougher outside finish. The typical method of use for these grenades is for the fuze to ignite a small black powder charge in the body which blows a stopper from the bottom hole, making a bang and a puff of smoke.

Cast iron is very brittle and would be more likely to crack under the black powder charges, so when it was used, it had to be thicker to be strong enough to last for multiple throwings, and therefore heavier. So by going to a sheet metal body, the safety factor is increased, and the bodies can be built with fully automated equipment, much faster and easier than by casting. It would also lower the inspection requirements, as castings need to be inspected very carefully for cracks, etc.

 

[Fragman]

Hi, These are all originals and date from the early 70's. Cheers

 

[Pascal]

Hello

For the grenade 69, Wikipedia says the filling is explosive Comp.B. Do you think this is right ?
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[gijunkman]

According to FM 23-30 Grenades And Pyrotechnic Signals Sept 2000, yes 6.5 oz. Comp B is the filler for an M67 grenade. Hope this helps.

 

[Pascal]

According to FM 23-30 Grenades And Pyrotechnic Signals Sept 2000, yes 6.5 oz. Comp B is the filler for an M67 grenade. Hope this helps.

Yes, thank you !

 

[Eodtek]

Hello

For the grenade 69, Wikipedia says the filling is explosive Comp.B. Do you think this is right ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M69_Grenade

The M69 does not contain Comp. B. The M67 does.

The M69 is the practice version of the M67 HE Grenade. The M69 uses the M228 practice fuze (which is an igniter not a detonator).

 

[dano1917]

67 - 69 hike

Hi kiwicolin, Quite an impressive ensemble of baseballs you have there. I really like these little grenades of modern times..Dano

 

[Lou]

Hey guys,
Just recently I ran across one of each in an auction,and picked them up for a very reasonable price. Id like to know what all of your opinions are,or, from experience,what are fair prices for the better grenades?

 

[Pascal]

The M69 does not contain Comp. B. The M67 does.

The M69 is the practice version of the M67 HE Grenade. The M69 uses the M228 practice fuze (which is an igniter not a detonator).

Thx, it seems me more logic. Wikipedia made an error.

 

[Fragman]

Hi. I must admit that if it's round, green, and has yellow stenciling it looks good to me. Oh yeah, you'll notice the V40 on the right has a repro pin HINT HINT :tinysmile_shy_t:. Cheers

 

[gijunkman]

Kiwicolin, nice selection there.:congrats: Lou, I bought a gunny sack full of the M69's without fuses for $3.00 ea. I have yet to see an M67 for sale anywhere, but see the M69's reguarly from $20.00 to $35.00 on gunbroker and at shows.

 

[dano1917]

67/69

Hi gijunkman, yes they are cheap and a "totally cool" grenade. Also on gunbroker you can get a gunnysack full of the fuzes. My Olive drab one was advertised as an m67, but sure as hell when I got it it had the hole on bottom. I think a m67/m69 variants collection would make a fine display. You know there are certain grenades you really like. Well these are way up there on my list. The stenciling variants alone on the blue m69's are countless. I could go on and on, but it's time for my shock treatment. Dano

 

[gijunkman]

Grenades are way cool

Got to admit that grenades are my favorite pieces of ord... or was it rocket launchers... or mines... or you get the picture.:tinysmile_fatgrin_t

 

[dano1917]

absolutely positively my favorite, or not!!!

Yep Andy, I know exactly what you mean. Just about a month ago I proclaimed that the German m1917 egg grenade was my favorite grenade of all time. Well that lasted about a day, as I find myself with a new favorite on just about a daily basis. But I do intend to get a number of m69 baseball variants for an individual display as they have grane eye appeal and are CEHAP to buy!!!! Great hobby aint it? Dano

 

[gijunkman]

And to think this all started with a pistol belt, some canteens and cups when I was about 8yrs old. Time flies when your having fun!

 

[dano1917]

m67 frag

If you look closely at the m67 in Lou's post you can see how tiny the internal fragmentation pieces are. They can be made out if you look closely...Dano