German WW1 Egg/Kugel igniters

[dano1917]

Pictured is your line-up of igniters that came on German WW1 Egg and Kugel grenades. All are shown atop m1917 and m1917 n/A German egg grenades.
Left to right -

1) Transit plug, used when grenades were transported
2) m1915 zinc-alloy pull wire igniter
3) m1913 bronze pull wire igniter
4) m1917 stamped tin pull string igniter (the ceramic pull was attached to igniter with either string or chain)
5) "Bass" booby trap igniter (with all the controversy surrounding this "igniter" i'll just leave it at that because whatever their previous usage, they eventually were left atop egg and kugel grenades as a booby trap by the retreating German Army. When the wire was pulled the grenade exploded immediately)
6) rare m1916 percussion igniter

Dano

 

[Slick]

Any chance of a close-up of each fuze? Please. Purty please.

 

[dano1917]

No problem Rick, might take a day or two as my equipment is sorely lacking. Will do the best I can...Dano

 

[Slick]

No hurry. Remember the "flower" setting. And a plain background. :wink:

 

[dano1917]

Tried, I did

Hi Rick, Sorry buddy but this seems to be the best I can do. The old Olympus has defo seen better days. I tried everything but a rain dance to get decent close-up but unfortunately this is the best I can do. Been meaning to get a new camera for some time, but when I come up with the money an ordnance deal "too good to pass up" comes along at the same time. Will try and do better when I get new equipment, but for now this is the best I can do. I want a good camera somewhere in the 250.00US price range. I am embarrased to even show these pics but again best I can do at this time...Dan

 

[dano1917]

Better pictures

Rick I tried your hints and the results are much better. I still think my camera is a pile of dung but I am at least getting better with it. Thanx...Dano

 

[dano1917]

for slick

Well with macro now tuned on camera was able to get close up of igniters........Dano

 

[paul the grenade]

great pics dan. you are certainly getting the hang of the close ups now.
cheers, paul.

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Dano,

Just curious on your thoughts (and others) re the coloring? Is this original or repainted?

(... and "no" this wasn't one of my repaints)..

Thanks
Cheers
Drew

 

[dano1917]

Hi Drew, From looking at the picture the red paint sure looks original to me. The igniter would be wrong to the grenade and should either have a transport plug or practice igniter. If the paint is not original then someone did a great job on it. Some practice eggs have holes bored into the body and some do not. Nice grenade.........Dano

 

[dano1917]

Here is a pic of the practice igniter. Funny, a few years ago I had never seen nor heard of this practice igniter. Then they start showing up wholesale?...Dano