German WW2 practice stick w/brass head

[wichitaslumlord]

Hello, Can anyone confirm if the Germans used a practice stick grenade with a heavy brass head in WW2? I looked at one today and it is exactly like the ones with the red painted steel head with the holes in it, except it is made of brass. The handle is dated 1939. THANKS! Pat

 

[dano1917]

Hi Pat, The version with the brass head is likely not a German grenade. It is thought to be Norwegian....Dano

 

[Tmine35]

Definitely not Finnish.

 

[Grenademan2005]

There are a lot of theories about that Brass heads. They could be used also by the Swedish Army. These Brass heads are commonly found at Norway with German handles, so they could be Norwegian made. But since German very early practice grenades are made of steel I doubt these Brass heads are German made.

 

[wichitaslumlord]

Thanks to all for the information. It is really appreciated. Pat

 

[Grenademan2005]

There are other similar looking heads like the German ones, but the most exactly is that Brass one.
http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/sweden/oevningshandgranatm39.html

 

[Tmine35]

Swedish steel head is quite different from German head, thus I wonder why Swedish brass head would be similar to German?

 

[turpin42]

Brass head

Hi
I've asked around over here and most are agreed that Norway produced them in brass but no one knows the maker.
Hope that helps.

All the best
T42

 

[Tmine35]

What kind of stick they should originally have? I have seen only loose heads or heads with later attached German sticks.

 

[Grenademan2005]

Swedish steel head is quite different from German head, thus I wonder why Swedish brass head would be similar to German?

I know it, Reino, I said that maybe was USED by the Swedish, not Swedish made.

 

[Grenademan2005]

What kind of stick they should originally have? I have seen only loose heads or heads with later attached German sticks.

Same than me. A good friend told me that he saw at the biggest Norwegian show a complet rack with 15 German handles with red connector, but not one head, just rack and sticks.

 

[wichitaslumlord]

The one I looked at is absolutely identical to the standard German steel head in every detail. I think I will buy it as it is in good condition and even has the cap on the handle! Thanks again for the input. Pat

 

[Grenademan2005]

When you have it post pics, please.

 

[wichitaslumlord]

As requested by Miguel, here are the pictures. The head is definately brass. All comments welcome as this is different than any other practice I have seen. THANKS! Pat

 

[Grenademan2005]

WOW, extra nice 1937 handle with right zinc cap, has the cap an eagle?

 

[wichitaslumlord]

Yes Miguel, There is an eagle stamped on the cap. It is small enough that I had not noticed it so thanks for bringing it to my attention! If the stick is 1937 then what era would the head be? Post War? THANKS! Pat

 

[Grenademan2005]

No, I dont know any collector saying that these brass heads are post war, just not German. I also know an expert collector that say these heads are German, but I strongly think they arent. Look the eagle on the cap, if it is right it will not have the Svastica, it will be the Weimar Eagle.

 

[wichitaslumlord]

The stamping is crisp but quite small. There is no swastika but possibly some letters or numbers below the eagle. They are just too small to read without magnification which I do not have at hand. pat

 

[Grenademan2005]

Yes, it is the WaA number. It has the correct cap for a 1937 handle, it is the Weimar eagle.

 

[wichitaslumlord]

Thank you so much for the good information on the cap markings! Pat