The John Bannister Collection - D-Day and Militaria
Lot 2315:
Description
INERT MK 1 Offensive Fragmentation Grenade, with early Twist Lever Fuze. Inspired by the French F1 grenade, this American designed grenade was initiated in August 1917 and hastily introduced to American troops training overseas without significant field evaluation on its peculiarities. "When thrown in the prescribed manner… it is armed automatically as the grenade leaves the hand…. without any conscious effort on the part of the thrower." "This is the simplest grenade that has ever been invented and may be called a fool-proof grenade." Grenade Training Manual – Army War College, Jan 1918. Ironically, it was evident that US soldiers using it would forget to arm it by flipping the lever to the side. Germans seeing this would then pick them up, flip the switch and throw them back. Grenade production came to a grinding halt in July 1918.
This is a remaining example of that failed initial fuze design. Dimensions: 4.5” tall x 2.25” Relic condition, but has the complete lever, which is often missing due to its thin construction. A RARE find! See photos.
Share this lot:
