Wehrmacht's Stielhandgranate

Deutsches Stielhandgranate


A Few Stielhandgranate Variations:

Mod.24 w/Frag Sleeve
Mod.39b Smoke
Mod.43 (Desert Tan Paint)
Mod.24 (Classic)
Mod.24 (Winter Paint)

Fragmentation Sleeves For use in a defensive role, there are two types of attachable fragmentation sleeves. There is a grooved slip-over type with a retaining ring. The sleeve is pushed on from the top and three clips snap over the flange at the base of the grenade head. A locking ring is push down over those clips locking them in place. As with other weapons the SS subcontracted their own version, which was a simple press on smooth type. (Shown at top right.)Certainly must have been easier to produce. Both types were used throughout the war.

Nb. 39 Nebelhandgranate In 1939 the Stielhandgranate design was modified to create the Nebelhandgranate ("smoke hand grenade").Smoke was used for masking protection from enemy fire and signaling. There are two variants, the Nb.Hgr.39 and the Nb.Hgr.39b The "b" version differs in the handle, having raised ridges and an additional white band to aid in identification at night. The Nb.39 “pot”contained a mixture of zinc powder and hexachlorethane which produced a smoke cloud upon ignition. Holes in the bottom provided an escape path for the smoke as it burned.

Model 43 Stielhandgranate The last version of the"Potato Masher".

This was a significant departure from the previous design and was clearly aimed at making grenade production as simple as possible. The pull fuze and hollow handle were eliminated in favor of a solid handle with a simple formed threaded end to screw into the head. The warhead was modified to use the Bz39, (Brennzünder 39) "Ignition Fuze 39", which was the standard fuze in use for the Eihandgranate 39 "Egg Hand Grenade". One advantage of this configuration is the handle was not required for the grenade to function, since the head was now self-contained. An interesting feature of the Mod.43 in the photo is the rust outline of a smooth fragmentation sleeve which once was mounted. Note - The copyright for the material published in this post goes to Inert-ord.net