V-40 Grenades

[V40]

My own V-40...

Here are some poor picturers of my own V-40.

What you will not see is what is stamped on the spoon It reads: S-40, MFT-70

The plastic cover is where the Grenade is place in for shipment and/or a bandolier.

The detonatar, I believe is a fake replica.

Now that I had mine completely srtipped down, you all will have to grant me "God Bless You! Or show some knd of Sorrow.

Just for the fact it was literaly He!! to take apart and am definately trying to put it back together. This has been the 8th hour for sure

 

[Eodtek]

Just wanted to throw this up since I had it. It's the first live one I've ever seen.

 

[US-Subs]

I was shown some stuff by a semi-local collector just a few days ago (BOCN member), he had a V40 that he wanted to show me which was modified onto a different type of rifle adapter, it looked more like a US attempt. On disassembly I noted that several things were different about the grenade, particularly differences in the spoon and the fuze well (smaller). After comparison we determined that it was identical to the one shown in EODguy's photos and identified as coming from Taiwan. Now I'm even more confused. Tried to take a photo, but some of my photo gear is in transit and the rest had dead batteries. Maybe he will post some pix for us. Otherwise I'll try again next time.

Here are some of the photos which this collector has forwarded to me to post. The grenade was received mounted to an unusual variation from the normal V40 rifle grenade adapter, perhaps a very early attempt as the cup portion seems very much like the normal piece.

With the grenade separated from the adapter you can clearly see in the following photos the differences in the spoons and the smaller fuze well. As mentioned earlier, it appears to be identical to the example of EODguy's that was identified as recovered in Taiwan.

This collector has some other unusual grenades which he has photographed for posting as well, I'll get to those in the coming days.

 

[Chris]

V-40 Grenade

I have a question about the V-40 practice grenade.
Can anyone tell me if the detonator of this grenade was a live one and with what substance the grenade was filled with?
Or was the grenade filled whit a substance to bring in on weigth for throwing and used a dummy fuze?


Chris

 

[inertordnance]

I have a question about the V-40 practice grenade.
Can anyone tell me if the detonator of this grenade was a live one and with what substance the grenade was filled with?
Or was the grenade filled whit a substance to bring in on weigth for throwing and used a dummy fuze?


Chris

Hello Chris,

My V40 Inert Version has a Solid Aluminum Detonator / Primer Assembly and an Inert Black Colored Substance cast into the body to simulate explosive contents. Hope that helps, photos attached .....

Stay safe,

Frank

 

[Eodtek]

Hello Chris,

My V40 Inert Version has a Solid Aluminum Detonator / Primer Assembly and an Inert Black Colored Substance cast into the body to simulate explosive contents. Hope that helps, photos attached .....

Stay safe,

Frank

And my 2 practice grenades are the same.

 

[V40]

Guys, I just found out some more tidbits about the NWM (V40)

1) NWM stands for: "Netherlands Weapon & Munition" Company
2) It was one of the smallest grenade to have been comercially produced.
3) It was used by all SEAL teams that were in Vietnam. Date was 1968.
4) The SEALs ceased issuing the V40 during the 1970's.
5) Commercial sales had not developed enough for the V40 to satisfy NWM in Holland and finally production stopped ceased in 1972.

Just FYI...

V40
Mark

 

[GTR003121]

It's always nice to learn more about the V40. Thanks!

Justin

 

[weberoed]

US V40s

In early 71 a small batch was made at Radford Army Ammuniton Plant. A check of what was left of the shipping records does not show where they went.

There is a new smaller HG on the sme scale of the V40 in the inventory right now but I cannot remember the number of it for some reason, I'll hvae to go into my files to search for it. When I was stationed at Ft Bragg I saw a number of them, they didn't have the hard body construction like the V40 or M33, more like the oval shaped m26 - rolled metal. I attached a photo of one next to a M33


As for CS, the V40 was never redesigned for the function, but there were a few small CS handgrenades that came about theM 58 about 1.25" dia and 2.5" tall.

 

[GTR003121]

Great pic! That's an XM545.

 

[EODGUY]

Your right hand grenade is either the M545 or M545I, I can't tell for sure. They were made by Accuracy Systems, Inc. quite some time ago and the company is now out of business. The M545 was basically an HEI grenade. The M545I (that's an i not a one) was a straight incendiary grenade. It has a small hole in the body just below the fuze. Chances are yours is the incendairy version since the M545's are really hard to find inert. There was never an XM number assigned to it because it was never adopted by the military. Some organizations, mostly special ops) procured small amounts, but they were never developed or put into the military ammunition supply system.

 

[millsbomber]

British V40s

Here are some of the photos which this collector has forwarded to me to post. The grenade was received mounted to an unusual variation from the normal V40 rifle grenade adapter, perhaps a very early attempt as the cup portion seems very much like the normal piece.

With the grenade separated from the adapter you can clearly see in the following photos the differences in the spoons and the smaller fuze well. As mentioned earlier, it appears to be identical to the example of EODguy's that was identified as recovered in Taiwan.

This collector has some other unusual grenades which he has photographed for posting as well, I'll get to those in the coming days.

The rifle adapter and spoon looks like the british version that was triled but never adopted.... Dave

 

[BOMBSaway1980]

They were also made by VERTEX CORP ROCKVILLE MD

 

[weberoed]

Us v 40

Error onmy part, the ones made int he US were not from Radford, rather Milan Army Ammuntion Plant, I also discovered a couple doc ont hem at the Iowa Army Ammo Plant (both are now under the contractor American Ordnance, I did some work for them on both plants a few years back

 

[yellowmadness54]

Please can someone tell me where I might find these lil things in the US?

 

[GTR003121]

Please can someone tell me where I might find these lil things in the US?

There's one on Gunbroker right now. Here's a link:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=205205340

 

[SG500]

What is the significance of the different hole sizes where the fuze screws in? (Photo taken from post 23 above)

Dave.

 

[millsbomber]

Im not a expert on these but i do have some examples, the one on the right i think fits into the rifle dis charger adapter hence the different lever but why the holes are different ?????,,,,,,,,, Dave

 

[timmymac]

Great thread guys. Thanks for getting this little ball rolling EODGUY! Lots of info. Thanks for the doc. post as well TimG

 

[US-Subs]

Im not a expert on these but i do have some examples, the one on the right i think fits into the rifle dis charger adapter hence the different lever but why the holes are different ?????,,,,,,,,, Dave

I was always told that the odd one was another US attempt to copy - ? It would make no sense to change it for the rifle grenade adapter, the point is to use an off-the-shelf item and the "adapter" prevents a need for change. Mine is different in the neck and it is a completely different fuze. All of the fuze components are lighter weight, to include the pull ring. Also I have two of the adapters, one is a factory inert (drilled and corrosion treated), both came with standard bodies (but no fuzes).

On a slightly different note, I have never seen a factory illustration on how the adapter works. Does anyone have a flyer or factory diagram? I've only seen 5-6 total, and they were always set up the same as mine, with no indication of a set-back sleeve etc.