Working on my grenade inventory over the holidays, and in some areas there are not a lot of hard reference materials available, so I have to revert to the internet. Lexpev is generally considered pretty accurate, but I'm finding some inconsistencies and I'm looking for a little more info.
In the V-40 series of grenades there were at least four primary items, not counting the rifle grenade attachments and the practice/inert designations. These were the three sizes of HE grenades, and the red-plastic item.
I have always known the three HE types as the V40, MN45 and V60. Lexpev identifies the MN45 as the V45. My practice is marked MN, which is correct? Lexpev also illustrates the V60 with a Belgian RFL 60, is this a mistake? I do not have a V60, but thought that they were a different fuze and construction.
In regard to the red plastic, I have heard many stories, but have never seen any (original) documentation that wasn't made up by a researcher. I've heard them described as practice, CS (RCA) and underwater signal, among other things. Based on the construction I would go with CS, but documentation would be nice. There are enough of them out there, there should be documentation somewhere.
Lexpev also shows a "V40 prototype, that is described as "out of the NWM Archives". Does anyone have a copy of this information? I have a very similar item but was told that it was a US development as an attempt at domestic production of the V40. This has the smaller neck and the different spoon.
Any assistance would be appreciated, hard data especially.
In the V-40 series of grenades there were at least four primary items, not counting the rifle grenade attachments and the practice/inert designations. These were the three sizes of HE grenades, and the red-plastic item.
I have always known the three HE types as the V40, MN45 and V60. Lexpev identifies the MN45 as the V45. My practice is marked MN, which is correct? Lexpev also illustrates the V60 with a Belgian RFL 60, is this a mistake? I do not have a V60, but thought that they were a different fuze and construction.
In regard to the red plastic, I have heard many stories, but have never seen any (original) documentation that wasn't made up by a researcher. I've heard them described as practice, CS (RCA) and underwater signal, among other things. Based on the construction I would go with CS, but documentation would be nice. There are enough of them out there, there should be documentation somewhere.
Lexpev also shows a "V40 prototype, that is described as "out of the NWM Archives". Does anyone have a copy of this information? I have a very similar item but was told that it was a US development as an attempt at domestic production of the V40. This has the smaller neck and the different spoon.
Any assistance would be appreciated, hard data especially.
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