[FONT=&]Thought I'd share the latest acquisition for the Gr.W / Wurfgranaten collection.
This is a Wurfgranate 14 (Wr.G.14). This was the first version of the Wurfgranate as we know it. It was a completely new design by Carl Waninger and utilized a normal 8 mm infantry rifle cartridge (8 x 57 IS) modified to be used as the propellant cartridge. This cartridge was placed inside the hollow shaft - at the top end - placing it in the center of the grenade head.
The Wr.G.14 used a simple impact fuze. The fuze was removed before firing and the detonator inserted in the top of the grenade and the fuse was replaced. The linchpin was pulled immediately before firing.
This Wr.G.14 has an intact fuse made of brass. Later the brass was switched to steel to save material. This fuse still has all the working parts except for the powder, but the little copper container that help the top powder pellet is present. If you look close you can see the firing pin tip.
Another interesting feature of this Wr.G. is the section that holds the propellant cartridge; it has been cut away so that the placement of the cartridge can be seen. The round in the pic is not an original propellant cartridge but one that had been fired at the last Parsons event.
The Wr.G.14 and the Wr.G.15 used a 3-fin configuration but it was soon determined that the 4-fin configuration was better.
Also, the Wr.G.14 and the Wr.G.15 were the short versions - only 28cm tall. With the creation of the Wr.G.16 (the most common) the length increased to 32cm.
Some of the photos were taken by the guy I purchased it from, the rest are mine. Not sure why but for some reason his close up pics of the fuse came out silver looking.
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This is a Wurfgranate 14 (Wr.G.14). This was the first version of the Wurfgranate as we know it. It was a completely new design by Carl Waninger and utilized a normal 8 mm infantry rifle cartridge (8 x 57 IS) modified to be used as the propellant cartridge. This cartridge was placed inside the hollow shaft - at the top end - placing it in the center of the grenade head.
The Wr.G.14 used a simple impact fuze. The fuze was removed before firing and the detonator inserted in the top of the grenade and the fuse was replaced. The linchpin was pulled immediately before firing.
This Wr.G.14 has an intact fuse made of brass. Later the brass was switched to steel to save material. This fuse still has all the working parts except for the powder, but the little copper container that help the top powder pellet is present. If you look close you can see the firing pin tip.
Another interesting feature of this Wr.G. is the section that holds the propellant cartridge; it has been cut away so that the placement of the cartridge can be seen. The round in the pic is not an original propellant cartridge but one that had been fired at the last Parsons event.
The Wr.G.14 and the Wr.G.15 used a 3-fin configuration but it was soon determined that the 4-fin configuration was better.
Also, the Wr.G.14 and the Wr.G.15 were the short versions - only 28cm tall. With the creation of the Wr.G.16 (the most common) the length increased to 32cm.
Some of the photos were taken by the guy I purchased it from, the rest are mine. Not sure why but for some reason his close up pics of the fuse came out silver looking.
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