Egg grenade

[Rifleman2]

Bought this today at a gunshow.This is my first German grenade.The only markings I can see are on the bottom.The letter on the left is a J,can't make out the other one.Can any of you ID the maker of this one?Thanks.

 

[Rifleman2]

Is it real?Anything else you can tell me about it?

 

[siegfreid]

Rifleman2 . It looks real to me . The letters on the base are probably the manufacturer & I have seen many combinations as there were quite a lot of different makers . Someone may be able to identify your exact one . Siegfreid.

 

[Rifleman2]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Millsman]

Is it real?Anything else you can tell me about it?

The fuze would have a wire pull in the top (see photo) . Re letters on the bottom, you can have the whole alphabet there were so many makers. To hand I have PR, B, O L O, H and about 6 with no marks at all.

They were introduced in 1916 because you could not throw the old Kugel grenades very far. The egg could be thrown 50 metres.

John

 

[Rifleman2]

Thanks John.On the top of my fuse is some braided wire stubble.Would the wire have been pulled completely out when the grenade fuse was activated?If so,this one may have been snipped off when deactivated.

 

[Millsman]

I suspect that it has just rusted away. Those fuzes were never very waterproof and are often corroded through with holes. John