Why are US Lemons so rare?

[GTR003121]

I'd like to get some of our member's input and opinions as to why the US M26 through M61 series are such a rarity. For a grenade who's production spanned some 20 years or so, there sure don't seem to be many around. Even their cans are a tough proposition!

I am always hearing about the rarity of other items such as the T13 Beano for example, but I know of three that are available(4 as of last week), excluding the "Pawn Stars" example. How can T13's be(relatively speaking) almost common in comparison?

For you long time collectors, has it always been this way, or has the supply simply dried up post 9/11 and with Ebay having turned into what it is now? Or was it simply the Vietnam war that has left so few?

I have heard people on this forum say that they have never had an opportunity to add one to their collection. What gives?

[Slick]

My take on the "rarity" issue is the guys that are in possession have an emotional attachment to the piece they've kept; in memory of some experience they encountered in the war. The quantity of WW2 stuff, in the U.S., is a direct result of those from that era passing on. The families are scared of and want to get rid of those types of items when clearing out the house. Another 20 years, it'll be Viet Nam stuff. Another 20, Iraq, etc. etc.
SO, hang in the hobby for another twenty years. There'll be lots of them floating around. WATCH OUT FOR THE FAKES!!!
That's my opinion. I could be wrong.

[Jolly Green]

Justin you have more than anyone I know.
I thought you caused the drought.
I'm still hoping there's one in MY future someday.

[GTR003121]

Justin you have more than anyone I know.
I thought you caused the drought.
I'm still hoping there's one in MY future someday.

Hey Jolly, how's that M202?! I admit I have been incredibly lucky with Lemons. But it was no easy feat tracking them down! I have only seen one that simply popped up for sale, which was here on BOCN. All the others either came by referrals from other collectors after sending out hundreds of emails or by backtracking for sale section ads on whatever militaria forums I could find. It was a hell of a lot of work which paid off luckily.

But so much effort for grenades that were our primary type for two decades, it doesn't make much sense to me. Slick made a good point though, one which hadn't occured to me.

Anyway, I hope some of you guys post your thoughts on the subject! Thanks!

[Jolly Green]

Yeah I sure hope Slick is right. Time to start visiting tag sales I guess.

[EODGUY]

My thought on the scarcity of the M61, etc. has been that they are difficult to inert. I doubt we will see many more than are already out there.

[paul the grenade]

this is probably the very same reason you very rarely see an inert L2A2 with its original live markings. most are repainted drill grens.
paul.

[V40]

You are all great thinkers and it is this way somebody will learn something.



My take on it is that like EOD guy says. You'd be suprised at homes that were built during WWII and after that how many grenades would be found in the attics.

We have a bomb squad that will handle allot of hand grenade problems. They will call in the Air Force out of Wright-Patteron AF base. There the EOD team. for all of Ohio. There EOD team is one of the best around. They get the hand grenades and usually either wrap them up with Gorilla tape or they use big thick different sizes rubber band and there for they are rendered safe and it is placed in cells of foam to further keep each grenade from moving around too much.


Now here is a question for all EOD members. In Ohio where are most of the grenades found and what model number are these??? I'll give out clues if need be.

By the way this will also pertain to the M26A1 frag.

My apoligies if you all of you think I hijacked you thread.



Mark

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Perhaps they have been 'squeezed' too much.
What year was it accepted for service use?
John

[inertordnance]

John,

Accepted for service in The Early 1950's, I am not sure of the exact year?


I agree that the scarcity of Inert Examples of US M26 Series Grenades retained as souvenirs lays in the fact that they were difficult to properly render Inert. It has never been common to find Inert Examples in any quantity on the collectors market.

Stay safe,

Frank