How a Hand-Grenade Works
ByHow a Hand-Grenade Works
The hand-thrown grenade is one of the most ideal anti-personnel weapons ever designed. Etymologically, ‘grenade’ originates from the shape of the weapon which resembles a pomegranate. Grenades have been deployed in combat since it was discovered by the Byzantines that Greek Fire could be contained in glass or ceramic jars and it would explode when thrown.
By hollowing out small cannon-balls and filling with an explosive mixture, the chinese developed the grenade further – and were pioneers in this particular type of grenade. Perhaps the most easily recognizable grenade of all time is the Stielhandgrenate or ‘potato masher’ which the Wehrmacht used throughout World War Two. Many improvised and homemade grenades have been created for rebel militias and in civil wars using contempory grenade design, but replacing a fragmentation outer with an explosive mixture laced with steel bbs
Current grenades are much more complicated than these earlier designs. This article will review how the popular American-made M67 Fragmentation Grenade can best be thrown and the way in which it works.
When deploying, the thrower assumes the ‘throwing position’. This means that the M67 grenade is held about the user’s waist with the user’s feet spread shoulders-width apart. After assuming this stance, the right-handed user removes the safety clip and then places his/her left index finger into the pin of the grenade, making sure of a firm grip on the main body of the grenade and safety lever with the right hand. In order that the lever doesn’t merely fly off and ignite the fuse when the pin is pulled, it’s vitally important to follow the instructions carefully.
If the pin is pulled for any reason, it can be put back safely as following this method ensures your safety. For added safety, the pin is shaped to prevent an unwanted fuse ignition and the user must pull hard enough to straighten the pin so it comes out. The lever is released and a spring-loaded firing pin ignites the fuse when the pin is pulled and the grenade is deployed. The explosion will cause high levels of localized collateral damage, an intensely bright flash, a loud bang and a strong concussion wave.
On average, the four hundred gram M67 can be tossed about thirty yards. It has a five-second fuse that ignites the one hundred and forty grams of Composition B inside a round steel body. The casing immediately disperses as tiny pieces of hot steel shrapnel when the explosives ignite. Having a kill radius of five meters, the weapon has a casualty radius of fifteen meters. As fragments can fly as far as two hundred and thirty meters, it is important to be very careful to throw the grenade from cover.
The M67 Fragmentation Grenade is a lethal weapon which can be and has been deployed in many combat situations.
