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German Hand & Rifle Grenades
Bulletin No. 59, March 7, 1944
[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from a U.S. wartime publication on enemy ordnance. As with all wartime material, the text may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the original contents. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]


Smoke Hand Grenade 41 and Prototype
Nebelhandgranate 41

Data

Overall length       4.7 inches.
Maximum diameter2.3 inches.
ColorOlive drab.
Total weight21 ounces.
Filling(HC) Berger type mixture. Zinc & Hexachlorethane.
IgnitionB.Z.E.
Delay
   N4 Ignition tube4½ seconds.

Description (Prototype)

This grenade consists of a body which is the head of the smoke Hand Grenade 39 into which the B.Z.E. igniter in fitted by means of an adapter made of some synthetic resin. The adapter is threaded externally to screw into the neck of the grenade body and internally to receive the igniter. The closed end of the ignition tube is painted green. Nb. Hgr. 39 is stencilled in white over a broken white band around the body. It has the eight smoke emission holes of the Model 39.

Description (Model 41)

This grenade is of the same construction as the Nebelhandgranate 39 and the Nebelhandgranate 41 prototype. However, the body has been modified so that the adapter to take the B.Z.E. igniter is not necessary. A dished plate with a small central neck in the top replaces the old wide screw neck plate which required the adapter. There are only two smoke emission holes. The letters Nb. Hgr. 41 and a broken line are stencilled in white on the grenade body.

Operation

The igniter and adapter are removed from the grenade body. The N4 ignition tube is inserted, painted end first, into the central channel of the grenade head. The adapter and igniter are then replaced. The blue painted cap in the igniter is unscrewed and pulled. This functions the igniter. The grenade is then thrown and after the 4½ second delay has elapsed, smoke is emitted through the emission holes for two minutes. Because of the short duration of the smoke, this grenade is used when accuracy in placing a small screen is most important, such as screening machine gun nests and pillboxes.

[German Smoke Hand Grenade 41 and Prototype (Nebelhandgranate 41)]

 


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