(Fig. 20)

The grenade is of the percussion type with an "Always" action. The body is in two parts, a cylindrical cup-shaped base with rolled-on thread which mates with a similar thread rolled-on to the flange of the coned top. The diametrically opposite slots are cut in this top immediately above the flange. When filled these two parts are secured by means of the locking spring shown in the diagram. The body is pressed aluminium painted red, and carries the safety cover drogue which is painted black. Protruding from the side of the safety cover is the end of the brass safety strip to which is attached a rubberized tab.

The bursting charge consists of about 2 1/2 ozs. of low grade T.N.T. with a central de-tonator cavity. This is cast within a pressed metal cup. The cup is necked down at the top and is carried within the body of the grenade narrow end upwards. The detonator cap is pressed into a hole punched in the narrow end of the burster container, the lower end of this container being closed by means of a metal cover. Beneath the cap a flash sensitive detonator is inserted. Details of the composition of these detonators are not yet available.

The "Always" fuze which resemble the British 247 fuze in its basic principle, is mounted within the coned cover of the grenade. It consists of a light aluminium cup fitting freely within the cover, a lead ball being carried between the cover and cup. Two diametrically opposite slots are cut in the walls of this cup to correspond with those cut in the outside cover. The striker is carried by an aluminium bush secured to the centre of the cup. At-tached to the drogue by means of a light linkage is the safety-bar which comprises an open square section channel number.

In the "safe" position this safety-bar passes through the slots in the grenade cover, and striker cup, the open side being uppermost. The striker passes through a hole in the cen-tre of the flat striker spring and the whole assembly is kept clear of the detonator by the closed side of the safety-bar. The drogue safety cover then folds over the top of the grenade and is secured in position by the brass safety strip which passes through two slots cut in its side, the lower longer portion passing beneath the safety-bar and being secured there to by turning over on to a recess provided for that purpose.

The safety strip is withdrawn and the grenade thrown in the normal manner. The safety cover opens and acting as a drogue withdraws the safety-bar. The striker spring crush-ions the striker assembly from the cap until impact. Upon impact the two portions of the grenade, i.e. the burster container and the ball loaded striker cup set into one another and thus actuate the detonating train and bursting charge.

Fig. 20