Possible US M26A1 Grenade ?

[siegfreid]

I got this with some other items recently but have only just got round to looking at it . I had assumed it was an L2A2 body but it's not . The internal copper fuze holder is wider at 0.57" & the L2 igniters are to small to fit . I was wondering wether it was the US M26A1 that took the M217 igniter that , I think , had wider threads than the standard M26 ? This body came with a sectioned example containing the frag coil & probably came from a British source but I think the British trialled the M26's in the 1960's ? Any thoughts would be appreciated .

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Siegfreid,

If it is a US Grenade Body, the key to Identification will be to measure the Fuze Well Threads.

If the fuze threads measure as follows:

9/16"-12 NC = M26, M26A1 Series Grenade = M204, M204A1, M204A2 Series Fuzes

5/8"-11 NC = M26A2, M56 Series Grenade = M215, M217 Series Fuzes.

Stay Safe,

Frank

 

[Fragman]

Hi Mike, Here's a comparison of the two fuze wells. Looks to be the wrong colour also. Cheers

 

[Bonnex]

I got this with some other items recently but have only just got round to looking at it . I had assumed it was an L2A2 body but it's not . The internal copper fuze holder is wider at 0.57" & the L2 igniters are to small to fit . I was wondering wether it was the US M26A1 that took the M217 igniter that , I think , had wider threads than the standard M26 ? This body came with a sectioned example containing the frag coil & probably came from a British source but I think the British trialled the M26's in the 1960's ? Any thoughts would be appreciated .

Mike,

There were numerous trials and or designs with British X5/L2 bodies using different fuzes. The No 3 and No 6 striker mechs were amongst the contenders. The attached shows a US fuze assembled to an adapted X5/L2 body. The M26 was purchased in the 1960s in large numbers, together with tail adapters, for use with British FARELF but the purchase was done largely because the L2 was taking a long time to perfect.

 

[siegfreid]

Thanks to everyone who has replied with all that useful info. It is almost certainly the M26A2 . I had another US friend email me & he can supply the correct fuze assembly so I will have a complete example for disposal in a few weeks . These were definitely trialled by the British in the 1960's but we adopted the L2 series instead . Bad move with hind sight !