Unusual Wartime UZRG Fuzes

[Kilroy was Here]

Here's a few unusual wartime UZRG I have found. The handles are either brass, bronze, or copper? Not really sure of the material, but they are very interesting.
You don't see these too often, maybe some of the members might enjoy seeing them.

In the last 2 pictures, the fuze on the right is an early war "closed top" type UZRG that you also don't see around much also.

 

[Hootch]

Very beautiful collections.
Brass handles see the first time. :tinysmile_hmm_t2: Very interesting.

Type fuze with "closed top" called UZRG.
Considered that in 1942 the first UZRG fuses came to the front and the soldiers did not like that when pulling the safety pin they had not seen a nail hat.
With "open top" is called UZRGM. M=Modifed

I noticed that UZRGM and UZRGM-2 handle have different length from nail hat to safety pin (almost 1mm) and holes for safety pin not match.

 

[Grenadier]

!

UZRG - brass delay tube+copper blasting cap = mercury fulminate as primary charge in the detonator
UZRGM - aluminium delay tube & blasting cap = lead azide as primary charge in the detonator

 

[Grenademan2005]

Very beautiful collections.
Brass handles see the first time. :tinysmile_hmm_t2: Very interesting.

Type fuze with "closed top" called UZRG.
Considered that in 1942 the first UZRG fuses came to the front and the soldiers did not like that when pulling the safety pin they had not seen a nail hat.
With "open top" is called UZRGM. M=Modifed

I noticed that UZRGM and UZRGM-2 handle have different length from nail hat to safety pin (almost 1mm) and holes for safety pin not match.

The UZRGM are not post war with the hole at the top of the spoon?

 

[Grenadier]

A bit of information in advance - UZRG left, UZRGM right. "M" are postwar production.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Right, this is most of us have in mind. Hootch, you have to explain it better.

 

[Hootch]

I believe that the aluminum delay tube is UZRGM-2
In our battlefields (1944) can be found 3 species of delay tubes for UZRG fuze.
1. Cupper tube 1-2 from left (early, very rare type) This detonator used in fuze for Russian Hand Grenade Model 1912 & 1914, not in F-1 & RG-42.
2. Brass Tube 3-8 from left
3. Pressed powder iron 9-10 and all fuzes.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Very beautiful collections.
Brass handles see the first time. :tinysmile_hmm_t2: Very interesting.

Type fuze with "closed top" called UZRG.
Considered that in 1942 the first UZRG fuses came to the front and the soldiers did not like that when pulling the safety pin they had not seen a nail hat.
With "open top" is called UZRGM. M=Modifed

I noticed that UZRGM and UZRGM-2 handle have different length from nail hat to safety pin (almost 1mm) and holes for safety pin not match.

Sveiki Hootch, Thank you. Yes, I agree the brass handles are an interesting variation.

I have always thought that the WW2 fuzes were only called the UZRG, no "M". I also thought that the closed and open top just means...the early first type was closed top......and open top was the later war fuzes, both UZRG only...no "M" :dontknow:

All the Russian manuals from WW2 I have seen only mention the UZRG type with no "M". I thought the "M" had hole in handle at top, and was post war.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Thanks everyone......some good info and pics, but I think a little confusion occurred??

So, if I understand correctly, the WW2 fuzes were UZRG no "M" as I had always thought?

 

[Hootch]

To this question no one answered with 100% confidently.

Personally, my version:
UZRG - with "closed top". Delay tube can be brass and from pressed powder iron.
UZRGM - with "open top". Delay tube can be brass and from pressed powder iron.
UZRGM-2 - with aluminium delay tube; handle have different length from nail hat to safety pin (almost 1mm) and holes for safety pin not match; handle can have big hole and mark UZRGM-2. In delay tybe used diferent ignition composition.

Found error: Cupper delay tube (early, very rare type) This detonator used in fuze for Russian Hand Grenade Model 1912 & 1914, not in F-1 & RG-42.
http://reibert.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=346440&d=1263225491

 

[Grenademan2005]

And have you found in WWII battlefields?: handle can have big hole and mark UZRGM-2.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Found error: Cupper delay tube (early, very rare type) This detonator used in fuze for Russian Hand Grenade Model 1912 & 1914, not in F-1 & RG-42.
http://reibert.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=346440&d=1263225491

This is a great picture Hootch, thanks for posting this. I have wanted to see a good picture of detonator for M1914 & 1914/30.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Here are scans I made from a translated 1944 Russian grenade manual.
The manual says the "UZRG" no "M" and the fuzes are called..............
"Standardized Grenade Fuze"

Do you think by the year 1944 they would have mentioned the "M" model in the manuals?

 

[Kilroy was Here]

Comparison photos

Here are some other fuzes I have used for a comparison photo.
One is a 1957 dated Russian "UZRGM" marked fuze.
One is a 1944 dated "UZRG"fuze.
And one is a "UZRGM" fuze that looks like it's in relic dug condition.

This "relic" fuze came to me with other for sure WW2 "UZRG" no "M" fuzes, and do not know exactly where this fuze was found, but I think Poland somewhere. I have wondered about why this UZRG"M" fuze is in what looks like a "relic" condition. I also think a fuze buried in the ground since 1954 will look the same as a fuze buried in the ground since 1944, so don't know what to think about this fuze.

This "relic" UZRG"M" fuze has a partial detonator remaining and it is made from a "grey" metal but I do not think it's aluminum or "pressed powdered iron" as Hootch has said, but could be. Also the hole on the handle is slightly lower than 1957 date fuze.

Miguel has asked already, and I would like to know also Hootch.......

Are you saying that you have personally found on the WW2 battlefields in Latvia, like for example the Kurland Kessel area, the fuzes with the "hole in the handle", along with UZRG fuzes with "No Hole in handle", in the exact same location?

 

[Grenadier]

+++

It is total darkness in Soviet/Russian manuals about this matter. Shown above fuze drawing is given in all of them under the names UZRG/UZRGM/UZRGM-2. I would be very surprised, if somebody can find official Russian document explaining the differences between the UZRGM and UZRGM-2.

 

[Kilroy was Here]

It is total darkness in Soviet/Russian manuals about this matter. Shown above fuze drawing is given in all of them under the names UZRG/UZRGM/UZRGM-2. I would be very surprised, if somebody can find official Russian document explaining the differences between the UZRGM and UZRGM-2.

Yes, I have also have noticed that the fuze drawing is used in most manuals.

I do not understand what Hootch is saying. That UZRG"M" was used in WW2?
Maybe he will return soon to answer the questions asked to him.

 

[Grenademan2005]

As you wanted Steve, I have found two pics of that fuze in my files... X-Files. :nerd:

 

[Grenademan2005]

I have this poster for some years ago, but totally forgotten. I have no idea of year or country, but seems Russian and very old.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Last ones.

 

[Grenadier]

I have this poster for some years ago, but totally forgotten. I have no idea of year or country, but seems Russian and very old.

Hi, it is Bulgarian.