Stielhandgranate 43Shaving Stick Grenade
GERMAN EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE - BOMBS, BOMB FUZES, ROCKET, LAND MINES, GRENADES AND IGNITER
Chapter 4
GERMAN LANDMINES, GRENADES, AND IGNITERS
EGG-TYPE HAND GRENADE, EIERHANDGRANATE 39
DATA:
Over-all Length: 3 inches.
Maximum Diameter: 2 inches.
Color: Black body with blue igniter head.
Weight: 12 ounces.
Igniter: B.Z.E.
Delay: 4 to 5 seconds.

DESCRIPTION. This 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- to 5-second de-lay pellet. (See fig. 286.) 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 resistan-ce 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 disk 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.

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

REMARKS. 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 Eihandgra-nate 39 (Üb). A modified egg grenade has also been found with a ring attachment on the base.

Figure 286 – Egg Type 39 Hand Grenade

 
Stielhandgranate 43Shaving Stick Grenade