Data

Overall length

Maximum diameter

Color

Weight

Igniter

Delay

EIERHANDGRANATE 39

These is a small thin-cased offensive type grenade with a high proportion of a low-grade explosive. It is ignited by a friction type igniter and a 4 - 5 second delay pellet.

This grenade uses the B.Z.E. friction type igniter. The short body of this igniter is usually made of brass and contains a friction composition in which a friction pull wire is cast. The lower end of the friction wire is coiled to provide resistance which serves to ignite the friction composition when the wire is drawn through it. The upper end of the friction wire has a loop to which is fastened one end of a cord. The free end of the cord is attached to a disc which is within the head. The head screws on to the top of the body and a steel tube containing the delay pellet screws into the bottom of the body.

There has been found a practice hand grenade of this type containing a spotting charge with the B.Z.E. igniter. The German designation of this is the Eierhandgranate 39 (Üb).

The igniter head is unscrewed and pulled thus drawing the wire through the friction composition and igniting the delay pellet. The grenade is then thrown and after a delay of 4 - 5 seconds the delay pellet will initiate the detonator thus setting off the explosive filler.