As long as this thread seems to have veered away from the plastic M30 style to what is becoming the definitive discussion of the 3F65 Device, it seemed like a good time to add what I could.
The first few photos are of the top half of the container for one of the grenades. It is larger in diameter than the usual grenade can, measuring 3 1/4" across. It is embossed "CONT. M437 STONE TOP, 1-67" on the end plate.
The grenades shown exhibit both of the body styles, one with the stepped center seam like Jeff's example, and the other with a straight seam between the top and bottom halves. Note the fuze adapter on one has wrench flats and the other has spanner holes and one vents the explosive gasses out side ports in the bottom fitting and the other straight out the base.
Both seem to be of the "scoring" variety with gel packs in each. I remember the gel being the consistency of a shoe gel insert when acquired 25 or 30 years ago but have hardened to little rubbery chunks now. I can't speak to the staining quality of the dye that Eodtek mentioned but it might help explain why they didn't get much use. They would not be very popular if they ruined every set of BDUs they came in contact with during training. Someone mentioned the gel material might have had some carcenogenic properties too, or that might be another ordnance filler we got confused about.
The correct fuzes are M201A1 types but with a "MOD" notation and blue painted spoons.
After disassembly for the photo, I slid the bottom shell upward to show the expanding black rubber bladder that expands to force the gel out through the body holes.
Based on some smudges and marks, I'm pretty sure the documents Jeff added came from my original which, in turn, came from Mike and Bob Myers in the late-1980s. Mike was a Marine and one of my grenades came from him with the docs. The other came from another USMC source. I'm sure the Army also exerimented with these but, as indicated from the Navy training notations in the data sheet, the contract was Naval and the Marines seemed to tested them at Camp Pendelton.
Thanks for adding the Patent information to the discussion. That is always a great source of general data and places the item in the right date period. It should be the first place to look for mystery items and I always forget to go there.
Rick
Has anyone information on a US plastic practice grenade (here is mine in photo). A fellow member of this forum were discussing and I was curious as what this forum knew about the subject. Honestly I had sorta written it off as novelty of some sort due to fact I could find no info. My friend however has informed me that one of his buddys has used this particular animal. Apparently it came with charge and filled with powder. I'm wondering if perhaps it was never Officially adapted by US due to short service expectancy. By that I mean since there was shortage of lemons during Vietman ( I assume this by fact that M30's converted to M50's) this left a temporary shortage on M30's. But during this time I believe that US was going toward the M33/M69's. Perhaps foreign practice ordnance were purchased to fix this temporary shortage. At any rate, I'd like to hear from you guys about this litte "Blue Devil"
