HAND GRENADES

A HANDBOOK ON RIFLE
AND HAND GRENADES

COMPILED AND ILLUSTRATED BY

Major GRAHAM M. AINSLIE

FIRST EDITION

NEW YORK

JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc.

London: CHAPMAN & HALL, Limited
1917

Copyright, 1917, by

GRAHAM M. AINSLIE

PRESS OF
BRAUNWORTH & CO.
BOOK MANUFACTURERS
BROOKLYN, N. Y.

PREFACE

The purpose of this work is to assist students of grenade work in acquiring a rapid and complete knowledge of the subject. If the student will refer constantly to the illustrations, which are accurate drawings of grenades now in use, this book may help to elucidate many points which are inadequately treated in any existing work.

In compiling the book, the author has inserted only information absolutely necessary, and has arranged it so simply that a person with a very little previous knowledge of the subject may be able to grasp both the data given, and the principles, and methods herein explained and illustrated.

This book is the result of practical experience in the present war.

G. M. Ainslie.

CONTENTS

HAND GRENADES

A grenade is a hollow ball, cylinder, or cube, made of metal or other material, which is filled with some explosive, and burst by means of a fuse, or on impact when it falls among an enemy. Until about the end of the seventeenth century trained soldiers called Grenadiers used grenades which were thrown by hand, but after that date they fell into disuse. In 1899—1900 at the siege of Mafeking they are said to have been used by the besieged, and also in the Russo-Japanese war. In the year 1914, however, the beginning of the great war produced new methods in the employment of infantry in the attack or defense of positions. It was proved that under many conditions infantry armed only with a rifle and bayonet found it impossible to press home an attack or hold a position against troops armed with grenades.

This weapon, handy to use and immensely destructive and demoralizing in its employment, has played a most important part in every successful operation carried out by British troops on the Western front. It has become one of the principal weapons not only in trench warfare, but in the attack and clearing of enemy positions, strong points, villages, and especially in house-to-house and cellar fighting.

Note. 1. In throwing all hand grenades an overarm action will be used, like a bowler when playing cricket.

2. Attached to all stick hand grenades are tapes or streamers a couple of feet long to enable them to fly head first, when thrown.

BRITISH GRENADES

There are two kinds of grenades:

• No. 1. Time grenades.
• No. 2. Percussion grenades.

No. 1 rely for ignition upon:

• (a) Some form of fuse lighter.
• (b) A length of time or safety fuse.
• (c) A detonator or exploder.

No. 2 on:

• (a) Some form of percussion striking device.
• (b) A percussion cap.
• (c) A detonator.

For throwing purposes grenades as follows:

• 1. Hand grenades.
• 2. Stick hand grenades.
• 3. Rifle grenades, fitted with firing rods 8 to 10 in. long.

GRENADE HAND NO. 1 or General Service

Type. Percussion stick grenade.

Weight. Two lb. complete.

Explosive. Lyddite.

Safety Device.

• 1. Safety pin. Leather thong through eye of pin.
• 2. Cord becket.
• 3. Red indicator and words of directions on removable cap.

Grenade Hand No. 1, Mark I.

Body. Brass cylinder.

Striker. Steel needle carried in removable cap.

Detonator. Special detonator ([see page 57.])

To prepare for use:

• 1. Turn word “remove” on cap to red indicator.
• 2. Take off removable cap.
• 3. Insert detonator. Turn to left to secure.
• 4. Replace cap and turn to “travel.”

To fire:

• 1. Turn cap to “fire.”
• 2. Pull out leather thong from safety pin. Remove
• cord becket.
• 3. Gather streamers palm right hand, holding
• grenade in left hand.
• 4. Holding grenade right hand, pull out safety pin
• with left hand.
• 5. Throw grenade.

Packing: Grenades are packed six in wooden box with tin containing ten special detonators.

Precautions: Care must be taken in act of throwing that grenade does not strike any object in rear of the thrower.

Always carry grenades at “travel.”

GRENADE HAND NO. 2

Hales Hand or Mexican Grenade

Type. Percussion stick grenade.

Weight. One lb. complete.

Explosive. Tonite.

Safety Device. Safety pin.

Body. Brass cylinder 4¾ × 1¼ in. diameter.

Striker. Brass needle pellet 1½ in. long, conical head, steel needle point, creep spring contained in brass base piece.

Grenade Hand No. 2. Hales Grenade.

Detonator. Special No. 2.

To prepare for use:

• 1. Holding grenade head downwards, unscrew black
• ebonite, if needle pellet found secure.
• 2. Screw in detonator.

To fire:

• 1. Holding grenade in left hand, gather streamers
• palm of right hand.
• 2. Holding grenade right hand, pull out safety
• pin with left hand.
• 3. Throw grenade.

Packing. Grenades are packed ten in a wooden box, with tin containing ten No. 2 detonators.

Precautions. [See Hand Grenade No. 1].

“GRENADE 303.” SHORT RIFLE NO. 3

Hales Rifle Grenade

Type. Percussion.

Weight. One lb. 5 oz.

Explosive. Tonite.

Safety Device:

• 1. Safety pin.
• 2. Releasing collar.
• 3. Wind vane.
• 4. Retaining bolts.

Body. Serrated steel cylinder.

Striker. Brass fluted needle pellet 1½ in. long, wasp waisted, conical head, steel needle point and creep spring, contained in brass base piece.

Detonator. Special No. 3 ([see p. 57].)

“Grenade 303.” Short Rifle No. 3, Mark I
(or Hales Rifle Grenade).

To prepare for use:

• 1. Holding grenade head downwards, unscrew black
• ebonite block, if needle pellet found secure.
• 2. Screw in detonator.

To fire:

• 1. Oil rod and barrel of rifle.
• 2. Insert rod into barrel of rifle and work it up and
• down to ensure lubrication and to expel air.
• 3. Place special cartridge in chamber rifle and close bolt.
• 4. Pull out safety pin.
• 5. Pull down releasing collar.
• 6. Give wind vane 1½ turns to left.
• 7. Fire the rifle.

Packing. Grenades packed twenty in wooden box in protecting tins with screw-off lids and four tins containing 20 in. special detonators, rifle, grenades and twenty-two special blank cartridges.

GRENADE HAND NO. 5. MARK I.

Mills Hand Grenade

Type. Time 4½ seconds.

Weight. One and one-half lb.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device:

• 1. Safety pin.
• 2. Striker lever.

Body. Serrated oval cast-iron.

Striker. Steel rim firing.

Igniter. Special, consisting of a separate unit. Special N.g. cap holder, N.G. rim firing percussion cap, 1¾ in. safety fuse and detonator.

To prepare for use:

• 1. Unscrew base plug.
• 2. Examine detonator and striker well for faults.
• 3. Insert special igniter.
• 4. Screw on base plug tightly by means of special key.

Grenade Hand No. 5, Mark I (or Mills Grenade).

To fire:

• 1. Hold grenade in right hand, base plug up, the
• fingers holding the striker lever firmly against
• the body of the grenade, the ring of the safety pin
• towards the left hand.
• 2. Pull out safety pin with the left hand, keeping
• the pressure on the striker lever.
• 3. Throw the grenade.

Packing. Grenades are packed twelve in wood box, with a tin containing twelve igniters.

Mills Rifle Grenade

Base plugs into which are screwed 8 in. rods are provided for this grenade to be fired from rifle, a special one being fitted to the rifle for this purpose.

GRENADES HAND NOS. 6 AND 7

R.L. or T.G. Grenades

Type. Time and friction.

Weight. No. 6 or light grenade, 1 lb. complete; No. 7, or heavy grenade, 1 lb. 13 oz.

Explosive.

Safety Device. Papier maché cap.

Body. Tin cylinder with rounded ends 4 in. long, 2¼ in. diameter.

Igniter. Special friction igniter, length of safety fuse, and service detonator combined.

To prepare for use:

• 1. Take off papier maché cap.
• 2. Take wooden plug out of detonator tube.
• 3. Insert friction lighter, turn to left and lock,
• clipping flange under studs.
• 4. Replace papier maché cap.

To fire:

• 1. Remove papier maché cap.
• 2. Hold grenade right hand, becket towards the wrist.
• 3. Pull out becket sharply with left hand.
• 4. Throw grenade at once.

Grenade No. 6, Mark I.

Packing. Grenades packed forty in wooden box. Four haversacks with four tins containing ten special igniters. These grenades should always be carried with papier maché caps on.

Note. The No. 6 grenade is an assault or demoralizing grenade.

GRENADE HAND NOS. 8 AND 9

Double Cylinder

Type. Time.

Weight. No. 8 light pattern, 1 lb. 6 oz. complete; No. 9, heavy pattern, 2 lb. complete.

Explosive.

Safety Device.

Body. Tin cylinder 2¾ × 1½ in. diameter, inside larger cylinder 3¼ × 3 in. diameter.

Igniter. Special Nobel lighter 1¾ in. safety fuse No. 8, VII detonator.

Grenade No. 8.

To prepare for use:

• 1. Crimp lighter on to fuse, insert fuse into detonator
• and crimp the latter on to fuse. Wax joints at
• lighter and detonator.
• 2. Insert igniter into detonator tube in inner
• cylinder.
• 3. Wax round joint where igniter enters grenade.
• 4. Wire fuse on to grenade.

To fire:

• 1. Hold grenade right hand, gripping bottom of
• Nobel lighter between thumb and finger.
• 2. Tear off tape and pull out safety pin.
• 3. Press down outer tube of N. lighter, turn sharply
• to R. or L.
• 4. Throw grenade at once.

Note. The heavy pattern grenade has more shrapnel and less explosive than the light pattern grenade.

GRENADE HAND NO. 12

Hairbrush or Box Pattern Grenade

Type. Time, or land mine.

Weight. Three lb. complete.

Explosive. Ammonal or guncotton.

Safety Device. Safety pin.

Body. Tin box 3×5×2 in. A grooved cast-iron plate, ¼ in., forms the front side.

Igniter. Special brass tube consisting of spring and striker held in place by safety pin. Cap and fuse and detonator or Nobel lighter, fuse and detonator.

To prepare for use. [See Nos. 8 and 9 grenades].

To fire. [See Nos. 8 and 9 grenades].

Note. This grenade is now used as a land mine.

Grenade No. 12.

BATTYE GRENADE

Type. Time.

Weight. One lb. 2 oz. complete.

Explosive. Ammonal guncotton, 1½ oz.

Safety Device. Safety pin in Nobel lighter.

Body. Cast-iron cylinder, 3 × 2 in. diameter, one end solid.

Igniter. Nobel lighter, 1¾ in. fuse, No. 8 M.K. VII detonator.

To prepare for use. [See Grenade Hand No. 8].

To fire. [See Grenade Hand No. 8].

Packing. Grenades packed thirty in wooden box arranged with removable wooden partitions which rest on top of the grenades, to prevent lid coming in contact with the end of the igniters.

Battye Hand Grenade.

PITCHER HAND GRENADE

Type. Time.

Weight. One and one-half lb.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device.

Body. Cast-iron cylinder 4 × 1⅞ in. diameter, one end solid.

Igniter. Special.

This grenade is not likely to be reissued. The igniter is described in the Training and Employment of Grenadiers issued by General H. Q., October, 1915.

Pitcher Hand Grenade.

OVAL GRENADE

Type. Time.

Weight. One lb. 2 oz. complete.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device. Brock lighter. (See Patent Lighters, [p. 58].)

Body. ³⁄₁₆ in. cast-iron, egg-shaped, 3½ in. long × 2¼ in. diameter at middle.

Igniter. Brock lighter, 1¾ in. fuse, No. 8 M.K. VII detonator.

To prepare for use. [See Hand Grenade No. 8].

To fire:

• 1. Hold grenade right hand.
• 2. Pull off waterproof paper on Brock lighter with
• left hand.
• 3. Strike lighter against brassard carried on left
• arm for this purpose.
• 4. Throw grenade at once.

Precautions. The waterproof paper must not be removed before throwing, as composition may get damp, or grenade accidentally lighted.

BALL GRENADE

Type. Time.

Weight. One lb. 11½ oz. complete.

Explosive. Ammonal, 5½ oz.

Safety Device. Safety pin in Nobel lighter. ([See Patent Lighter].)

Body. Cast-iron sphere, 3 in. diameter.

Igniter. Nobel lighter, 1¾ in. fuse, No. 8 M.K. VII detonator.

To Prepare for Use. [See Hand Grenade No. 8].

To Fire. [See Hand Grenade No. 8].

Ball Grenade.

NEWTON HAND GRENADE

Type. Time, 4½ seconds.

Weight. One lb. 5 oz.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device. Special split tin disc over N.G. percussion cap.

Body. Cast-iron, pear-shaped.

Striker. Contained in special striker cap.

Igniter. Sawed off .303 in. blank cartridge, 1½ in. safety fuse, detonator.

To Prepare for Use:

• 1. Remove striker cap.
• 2. Insert igniter.
• 3. Slip on safety device.
• 4. Replace striker cap.

Newton Hand Grenade.

To Fire:

• 1. Hold grenade in right hand, narrow end downwards.
• 2. Bring striker cap down a sharp blow on brassard
• carried on left thigh for that purpose, or upon
• some hard surface.
• 3. Throw grenade at once.

NEWTON RIFLE GRENADE

Type. Percussion.

Weight. One lb.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device. Newton Hand.

Body. Cast-iron conical.

Striker. Newton Hand.

Detonator. Commercial.

To Prepare for Use:

• 1. Remove striker cap.
• 2. Insert detonator.
• 3. Slip on safety device.
• 4. Replace striker cap.

To Fire:

• 1. Oil 10 in. rod and barrel of rifle.
• 2. Work rod up and down to insure lubrication
• and to expel air.
• 3. Place special blank cartridge in chamber of
• rifle and close bolt.
• 4. Fire the rifle.

Newton Rifle Grenade.

HAND GRENADE NO. 19

Type. Percussion stick grenade.

Weight. One and three-quarter lb.

Explosive. Ammonal.

Safety Device:

• 1. Safety pin.
• 2. Shearing wire.

Body. Oval, cast-iron.

Striker. Mushroom-topped brass.

Detonator. Special long commercial.

Igniter. (Sawed off) 380 in. blank cartridge.

To Prepare for Use:

• 1. Unscrew brass striker holder.
• 2. Insert detonator.
• 3. Screw on brass striker holder.

To Fire:

• 1. Unwind streamer at end of handle.
• 2. Hold grenade in left hand, gather up streamers
• palm of right hand.
• 3. Holding grenade in right hand, take out safety
• pin with left hand.
• 4. Throw grenade.

Packing. Grenades are packed twelve in a wooden box, also a tin containing twelve special detonators.

Grenade No. 19. Hand.

RIFLE GRENADE NO. 20

Improved Hales Rifle Grenade

Type. Percussion.

Weight. One lb. 8 oz.

Explosive. Tonite.

Safety Device:

• 1. Safety pin.
• 2. Releasing collar.
• 3. Retaining bolts.

Body. Steel cylinder.

Striker. Same as No. 3 Rifle Grenade ([see p. 7]).

Detonator. Special No. 3 ([see p. 7].)

To Prepare for Use:
1 and 2. See No 3 Rifle Grenade ([see p. 7]).

To Fire:
1, 2, 3, and 4 same as No. 3 rifle grenade,
[see p. 7], Fire Rifle.

Packing. Grenades packed twenty in wooden box, four tins containing five each “special detonators rifle grenade,” and 22 special blank cartridges.

Precautions. See all stick hand grenades.

Rifle Grenade No. 20.

DIVISIONAL GRENADE ESTABLISHMENT
AND CHAINS OF AUTHORITY

Divisional Grenade Officer and Instructional Staff for Grenade, Stokes Gun, Trench Mortar Schools.

Brigade Grenadiers:

• 1. Sergt. Major.
• 1. Q.M.S.
• 4. Sergt. Instructors.
• 4. Grenade platoons, per battalion in brigade.

Battalion Grenadiers of Grenade Platoon:

• 1. Grenade officer.
• 1. Sergt. Instructor.
• 4. N.C.O.’s and 40 men.
• 1. Cook.
• 1. Officers’ servant.

Total, 48 all ranks.

Company Grenadiers:

• 1. N.C.O. and 10 men per platoon.
• 4. N.C.O.’s and 40 men per company.
• 16. N.C.O.’s and 160 men per battalion.

Total grenadiers per battalion, 224 all ranks.

Total grenadiers per brigade, 896 company and battalion grenadiers.

Total grenadiers per division, 2688 company and battalion grenadiers.

Divisional Grenadier Establishment Showing Chain of Responsibility.

COMPOSITION OF A GRENADE SQUAD