US Lemons

[Fragman]

Hi, The M26 style grenade is a particular interest of mine. There were a lot of variations trialed in the 1950's & 60's, as a replacement for the MkIIAI.

This is the earliest example I have. Note the central join is folded downwards and there are no visible notches on the frag coil (the coil could be un-notched or they could be facing outwards). Cheers Colin

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Colin,

Here is a photo of an Early U.S. M26 (Inert) that I have. The body is dated 8-53 and it has an un-notched frag coil. Also note the Early M204A1 Fuze and Lever. Also a black colored asbestos sealing washer between the fuze and body.

Stay Safe,

Frank

 

[inertordnance]

Also a view from the base of the un-notched frag. coil and fixed copper detonator well.

 

[Fragman]

Hi,

What a fantastic example (complete with two sets of lots numbers). Can you make out what both sets of lot numbers were?

Cheers
Colin

 

[dano1917]

The absolute worst U.S. Lemon I ever had was a 1971 Ford Pinto, complete with exploding gas tank and 4 self destructing Firestone radial 500 tires!!! Dano

 

[Fragman]

Hi Dano,
Here's another US lemon that will probably rival your Pinto. It was obviously a blind, with the fuze well having been blown out. Then there's the second attempt to make it go bang (indentations around the middle from the det cord). Despite all of that effort it still sits on my shelf. Cheers Colin

 

[dano1917]

Rotten Lemon

I love it Colin, What a conversation piece. At least the Pinto worked! Seriously Colin that would be a beauty in any collection...Dano

 

[gijunkman]

You lucky dogs! 20 years of going to shows and I've never even seen one!:tinysmile_fatgrin_t

 

[dano1917]

surplus circuit cast iron knockoffs!

Hi gijunkman, I as you have never seen a good US lemon, That is beside the cheap cast iron knockoffs on the surplus store circuit. I've even been coinsidering buying one of these rubbish grenades and painting it up like an original lemon for a filler piece!..Dano

 

[inertordnance]

Hi,

What a fantastic example (complete with two sets of lots numbers). Can you make out what both sets of lot numbers were?

Cheers
Colin

The visible nomenclature (Applied Twice) is as follows:

GRENADE HAND M26
COMP B LS-17-38 8-53.

It appears that there is also a separate set of model / lot nomenclature, that was covered over at one time with a slightly darker shade of OD Paint. I believe that the covered nomenclature was factory "masked over" and the visible nomenclature was later applied for whatever reason, possibly an updated model designation or fuze?

Although the visible manufacture date is 8-53, this example was actually issued, carried and rendered Inert in Vietnam during the mid 1960's, before being brought home by a serviceman as a souvenir.

Stay safe,

Frank

 

[Fragman]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the nomenclature. I have a few photo's (from EBay I think) of similar grenades, but they're dated a couple of months later (11 - 53). I'm interested in tracking how the Lot numbers progressed.

Cheers
Colin

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Colin,

Great! The only other M26 Series Lot Number that I am aware of is for an M26A1: LS- 50 -47 Dated 10-68. Has an M204A2 Fuse Dated 9-68 and the later type notched type frag. coil.

Stay safe!

 

[gijunkman]

Fantastic pics fellows thanks for the info. Dano, I've thought about the cast fakes, but have decided that if I can't have a real one, I'd never be happy with the fake.:tinysmile_fatgrin_t

 

[Fragman]

Hi, Great photo of the frag coil, so it is notched on the outside (I won't have to pull mine apart to find out:tinysmile_shy_t. From the photo's I have it looks like the lot numbers progressed from LS-17-38 in August 1953 to LS-19-9 in September 1954. I've attached a photo of a shipping container marked LS-17-174. The 3 digit second part to the lot number does not seem to get carried over onto the grenades??? Also attached is a couple of file photo's of one that sold on Ebay a while back.

As for making a repro as a gap filler, I have a nicely stenciled repro attached to a M1A2 adapter. You can't put a real M26 into an adapter, as it dents the sides. A good reason to go to the effort of putting one together, that looks and works great.

Cheers Colin

 

[paul the grenade]

Heres one i used to own a few years back untill i decided to sell of a lot of my post 2ww grens. It was completely unmarked (even on the lever) and had no signs of the base cap being prised of so i presume it had never been filled. The coil inside was not notched or had them on the outside.
Cheers, Paul.

 

[Fragman]

Looks great Paul. Here's one I sold on EBay a few years back (and have regretted it ever since). Cheers Colin

 

[GTR003121]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought it better to bring this one back then to start a new one considerng the great pics that are already in here! If anyone else has any pics of their Lemons, please post them!

I wanted to show my four US Lemons, my obsession when it comes to inert ord! I got bitched at just the other day by my "girlfriend" for looking at them too often and not at her often enough! Jealous of inanimant objects, it never ends!

Anyway, from left to right we have two M26's and two M56's. The M56 on the far right is a factory unfinished example, never painted or crimped.

Eventually I hope to find a marked 26A1, 56 and 61 to complete the set. I already have 3 of the cans too, just need an M56 can.

Thanks for looking!

Justin

 

[Jolly Green]

Great thread, pics and thanks for bringing up the original thread.
THAT'S the it's SUPPOSED to be done.
GOOD job GTR!

 

[GTR003121]

Great thread, pics and thanks for bringing up the original thread.
THAT'S the it's SUPPOSED to be done.
GOOD job GTR!

Thanks JG, hopefully it doesn't dissapear again too quickly!

 

[highlandotter]

Hey Dano. Yours made up for mine, which I turbocharged and made many 8,000 rpm+ runs in the high13s and 100 mph in the quarter mile. Tore up the altinators though.