Since U.S. Ordnance received the NSN and contract, they must perform “first article” inspection and testing. There are more than 186 parts inspections that must be accomplished. Each one must meet the military standards for production. There is also a testing protocol called for in MIL-G-70790 (AR), the Military Specification for Gun, Machine, 40mm MK19 Mod 3, which must be strictly adhered to and passed with government inspectors viewing. In the previous article, we reviewed the relevant first parts of the testing we observed. Now it’s time to go live, but there are more checks to perform before we can start.

MK19 Mod 3 Specifications

In section 3.3 of the Mil-Spec, gun sights and bore calibration are checked. The wedge optic mount on the right side in the MWO has to be perfect for calibration, which we did check. Then, in 3.4 and 3.5, it’s an ammunition compatibility check to ensure all the various 40x53mm rounds will chamber and fire. Done. Then, as stated in 3.5.1, “Proof Testing: The machine gun shall withstand the firing of one M385A1 40mm cartridge without any evidence of part failure, deformation, or loosening.” Done.

The M385A1 round has a one-piece solid aluminum projectile with a rotating band in an M169 cartridge case. The propellant is M2 (4.2g, 0.15 oz.). The primer is an FED 215 percussion-type. The ogive of the M385 series matches the shape of the M430/A1 HEDP projectile, which has 45g (1.61 oz.) of Comp A5 explosive, a shaped charge with copper liner, and a pre-fragmented body. It’s just the ogive that matches. The M385 series frequently is indented at center, which is weight lightening to match the weight of the M430 round. The M385A1 uses M16A2 links only (The M385 can use either M16A1 or A2).

There are protocols, as mentioned. Firing must be done in a proper, specified cadence to allow proper cooling periods, simulating the long life of a MK19 Mod 3 in service. Cleaning intervals must be followed, as well as inspections, including some testing that might appear redundant, but is necessary to achieve the full results of the test.

Benchmarks in the MK19 Mod 3 MIL-Spec First Article Acceptance Test

(SADJ covered many of these items in the first article in this series, it is online at www.sadefensejournal.com, if you would like to refer to it).

Spoiler Alert: U.S. Ordnance’s MK19 Mod 3 program has passed all of the MIL-Spec testing and is in the third phase. They are the only source of U.S.-made MK19 Mod 3 machine guns accepted by the U.S. military.

• Pre-Firing Inspection There are 19 points to cover in this visual inspection.
• Ammunition Compatibility Check This is done with a variety of issue rounds supplied by the customer. There are 12 steps in this process, covered in our first article.
• Gun Sight and Bore Calibration Check There are 12 steps in this process, covered in this article.
• Proof Inspection This is a 3-part inspection involving firing on round of M385A1 ammunition.
• Firing Mode This is a test in 8 parts of the firing mechanism including the solenoid remote firing.
• Belt Pull A four-part test, done with free hanging 28-round belts, in two to four round bursts. We performed this test in the first article, but again throughout the second testing.
• Cycling Rate of Fire Measured with 10-round belts. Interestingly, the string of rounds is not averaged for rate of fire but measured individually to meet the required rate.
• Trunion Load Performed in the test report in this article.
• Accuracy At 1000m, a 14m target is set. Firing is done in 2-3 round bursts and all rounds must hit the target. Performed both test days we were there for.
• Post-Firing Cleaning At all times that are called for, a full inspection is done for proper cleaning and reassembly. Parts are inspected according to 9 focus points.
• Interchangeability In the first article we did, we covered some of this, but the further full testing has more of this, and a special station is set up.
• Reliability The longest part of the test, It begins with firing 192 rounds, and repeating it after rounds 152, 2304, 3456, 4608, and 5760. It is a specific cadence, intended to show any dispersion changes, or other issues.
• Full Cleaning and Inspection Specified at every 2,304 rounds. The guns are completely disassembled, visually and magnetic particle inspected, cleaned, and properly lubricated. Parts to lubricate are the bolt, barrel, firing pin cover, firing pin, bolt sear, firing pin sear, receiver, lock plate, and feed tray.

In Section 4.5.8 “Trunnion Load”

• A. For First Article Inspection, this test shall be performed concurrently with the belt pull test.
• B. Mount a Quartz Force Link Cell Kistler Model 9362 with a Charge Amplifier Model 504E and a Filter Model 545A (Or Equivalent) directly below the receiver, below the locking pin, integral with the mount and in alignment with the receiver buffers.
• C. Record a time-load trace of recoil using a Honeywell Visicorder Modl 1858 with a TCD (tape compatible differential) Amplifier Model 1887, or approved alternate equipment.
• D. Trunion load forces are to be measured at the mounting point. The last three (3) rounds of the belt fired shall be discounted.

The mount shown here is a special mount custom made to the government specification for the test. The Kistler Force meter is a very expensive and sensitive piece of equipment, yet it is built to handle the recoil forces of larger forces than will be in this test. The reason for testing during the belt-pull test are based on finding variations in the side weight of the belt, and as the belt lightens the forces will change. This data will be valuable to see the consistency of the construction. After this first article test, the trunnion load tests will be less frequent but based purely on the single rounds fired. 

After test-cycling the MK19 with dummy rounds, this is what they look like. Note that the links are de-linked and pushed to the rear. In the closeup, the male and female end of the links are evident.

The male end must be pulled out of the female, to the rear. Thus, when a can of ammunition is first opened, the first round will present with a female end of the link to feed into the feed tray. On cocking, the round is pulled to the rear, then slammed forward into the barrel, pushing the single link rearward on the body of the casing, and ejecting it. When fed into the HK GMG machine gun, because it pushes through forward, the belt must be presented opposite, with the male link into the feed first. This requires taking the belts out of the can before using and reversing the belt.

In U.S. Ordnance’s instructor classroom, they’ve made a custom factory cutaway of the MK19 Mod 3 as a training aid. We are curious if these will be available for contract sales.

Introduction

The Hungarian-developed and -produced 42M hand grenade and the later 42/48M variant became the primary weapon of its class for the Hungarian armed forces from the late phase of the Second World War until the early 1990s. Its reliable, easy-to-manufacture construction and the versatility of employment against a multitude of targets made it a very popular hand grenade with the troops. Whilst it never experienced the level of proliferation of the Soviet F1 and RGD-5, or the Chinese Type 67, the 42/48M is still occasionally found in conflict zones today.

The Royal Hungarian Army entered the Second World War equipped with a multitude of domestically designed and produced hand grenades. While reliable and effective in combat, all of these designs made use of impact fuses. In late 1941, reports from troops operating in the Soviet Union filtered back to the arms department in Hungary, requesting grenades fitted with a delay (time) fuse that would not detonate when accidently thrown against branches in heavily wooded areas and that would provide reliable functioning when landing on soft snow or soil. The impact fusing also limited the effectiveness of then-fielded grenades when thrown through windows or hatches of combat vehicles, as a significant impact was needed to function the fuse.

The procurement department reacted swiftly and tasked the designer of the existing 36M hand grenade, Zoltán Vécsey, with the development of a new weapon that featured a time fuse. Captain Vécsey had already worked on several novel ideas and presented his unique hand grenade design in mid-1942. Brief trials gave very positive feedback, and production was ordered shortly thereafter. As with other weapons designed during this time, Hungarian industry struggled to gear up for production of the new device. Designated the “42M kézigránát” (“hand grenade”), the contract for production was given to companies such as Elzett Vasárugyár Rt. (Elzett Metal Manufacturing Stock Company), an enterprise already heavily involved in the War effort as a supplier for Messerschmitt. Deliveries began in 1943, but it was not before early 1944 that large quantities reached the troops on the front.

The 42M was instantly popular with Hungarian soldiers, the time fuse giving troops more employment options. Interestingly, it was never intended to replace the other former designs but rather complement them, allowing the operator to pick the right tool for the task. Production continued into late 1944 until the manufacturing sites were all captured by Soviet troops.

Post-War Production

After the Second World War, the newly formed Hungarian Armed Forces lacked the basics to equip a fighting force. While other countries such as East Germany made extensive use of the weaponry produced in wartime Germany, Hungary was very reluctant to use these weapons and replaced them as soon as practical with supplies of Soviet origin. Hungary undertook license production of Soviet weapons in substantial volume, from 1948 onwards. One of the few designs that remained of domestic origin and that was placed back into production was the 42M hand grenade, renamed the 42/48M. This unusual move was made by the Hungarian government as the Soviet Union was not willing to provide a license for any hand grenade design.

Production of the 42/48M was allocated to the Fémtömegcikk Művek, whose logo “FTM” can be found on top of the grenade warhead, together with the last two digits of the year of manufacture. During the first year of production, a significant quantity of WWII-dated parts was used to assemble new grenades, combined with newly produced components. The yearly output in 1951 was 3,572,000 pieces, and a cumulative 12,185,000 hand grenades had been produced by 1952. In subsequent years, production numbers dropped dramatically, and production wound down before ceasing in the mid-1960s. The only significant update the 42/48M experienced was the introduction of the SV-54 fragmentation sleeve in 1958, which substantially improved the performance of the hand grenade in the defensive role by adding partially pre-fragmented fragments in a circular arrangement.

The 42/48M hand grenade saw frequent combat use during the Hungarian Revolution and struggle for freedom in the fall of 1956. Surviving reports by participants in the fighting on the Hungarian side state that the grenade was used successfully in both roles (attack and defense) and was often employed to blow off tracks from armoured vehicles to immobilise them.

The enormous stockpile produced in the early 1950s lasted the Hungarian Armed Forces for decades. In 1990, the need for a new hand grenade became obvious. The Hungarian Armed Forces successively replaced their 42/48M grenades with the new 93M NF and 96M NF hand grenades that remain in service today.

Technical Description

The 42/48M hand grenade is of the “stick grenade” type, consisting of a metal-cased high explosive warhead, a wooden grip, a pyrotechnic time fuse and a safety pin, the latter secured with a textile band and a transport seal. A metal striker firing ring is affixed to a cap at the base of the grip. The mechanical components of the grenade are located within the wooden grip and in the separate fuse. The metal “head” of the grenade contains no operating components.

Contrary to most stick grenade designs, the wooden handle is not fixed in place but is mounted on a tubular internal assembly and held under pressure against the head of the grenade by two springs at the base of the internal assembly. The safety pin blocks the movement of the wooden handle, and the striker also covers the percussion cap. Once the safety pin is removed, the handle is free to move against spring pressure. The striker is also pushed out of a recess in the base plate and moves into a centered position. It is locked into place by a flat surface on the very same plate.

The pyrotechnic time fuse is made from two aluminum tubes joined at their mouths to make a waterproof seal and filled with propellant. These are sheathed inside a wooden jacket. The fuse will burn for 3.5 to 4.5 seconds until it ignites the detonator that itself will bring the 120g of TNT filler in the grenade head to explosion.

The 42/48M is packed in a box with 30 grenades and 30 separate fuses, 10 of the latter packed in each of three waterproof boxes. Prior to combat use, the head is screwed off the handle, and the fuse is inserted into the handle of the weapon, with the percussion cap oriented towards the base of the grip. It is of utmost importance that the safety pin is properly seated before the fuse is placed into the handle. The fuse will protrude out of the handle when fully seated, and this will fit into the cavity in the warhead as the weapon is reassembled. Live grenades will come with a seal on the safety pin to ensure proper seating. To avoid malfunctions the head has to be tightly screwed back onto the handle. If not, the striker may not be able to reach the percussion cap.

To ignite the fuse, the seal on the safety assembly is broken, and the operator grabs the textile band and pulls the safety pin out of the handle. Once the safety pin has been removed, the grip assembly can be either pulled backwards and released, or the grenade is swung backwards using the inertia of the heavy head to compress the dual springs in the wooden grip. The complete backward travel of the stick against the springs is not more than 20mm. Once the grenade is thrown, and the wooden handle reaches its most rearward position, the two springs will push it forward and the striker will penetrate into the thin aluminum of the tubular inlay holding the fuse, striking the percussion cap. If there is no opportunity to throw the grenade, the safely pin must be placed back into the grenade, with the textile band wrapped around the handle. The broken seal should be replaced with a piece of wire as soon as possible.

The grenade in its issued state (for the offensive role) weighs 344g and has a lethal radius of approximately 10m. In the defensive role, the same grenade can be fitted with an SV-54 fragmentation sleeve, increasing its weight to 744g and significantly increasing the lethal radius.

Multiple warheads can also be affixed to a single grenade handle. The threaded portion on top of each grenade head corresponds to a threaded portion under the metal jacket on the lower part of each head, allowing them to “stack” linearly. Unlike designs where multiple warheads are arranged concentrically around a central grenade (such as German designs in the First and Second World Wars), this arrangement allows for a line charge which is optimal for clearing barbed wire or other light fortifications. During the Hungarian Revolution, this arrangement proved to be very effective for immobilising tracked vehicles.

Such an arrangement needn’t be thrown, either. The spring-loaded ignition system of the 42/48M means that the ring-pull at the end cap of the grenade can be used to remotely function the munition. Before the removal of the safety pin, a wire or string is attached to the metal ring. Once the safety pin is removed, the user can now trigger the grenade from a remote position by pulling the string or by attaching the grenade to a trip-wire to make a victim-operated device.

Variants

The standard high-explosive (HE) variants of both the 42M and 42/48M are marked with three horizontal red bands around the head of the grenade. The only visible differences will be in the different markings stamped on the heads of the grenades. Of the training types discussed below, only the blue-banded models are stamped as per the HE types, as they used heads and handles taken from the same production lines as live grenades.

A number of training models can be found. A relatively complex training version was produced in 1942 to introduce the user to the variety of deployment options and the nuances of the arming systems. This duplicates the actions and weight of a live grenade but with an inert fuse, percussion cap and filling. These training grenades were marked with three horizontal blue bands.

This relatively expensive training tool was complemented by a much simpler inert grenade trainer that mimicked the shape and weight of the 42/48M hand grenade but was made from a sturdy material and contained no mechanical parts. These cheap devices were intended for throwing practice and are marked with three horizontal yellow bands.

Surprisingly, these cheap training models seem to have been in comparatively short supply, and numerous craft-produced versions appeared over the years, manufactured by workshops within the Hungarian Army to fill the need. These rough tools sometimes had grenade heads filled with sand or metal jackets made out of sheet metal and hammered into shape. To rectify this shortage, an official black rubber version with a metal core appeared in the late 1970s and was widely used for throwing practices.

Conclusion

A live 42/48M hand grenade is seldom encountered outside of Hungary, with only limited examples seen recently in Syria and Yemen. There is very little literature available about the unique function and history of the weapon, and almost none of that is in English. As a result, the 42M and 42/48M grenades remain poorly understood outside of Hungary. The 42/48M hand grenade was phased out of service in the Hungarian Armed Forces by the middle of the 1990s, with most of the stocks destroyed. A substantial number were rendered inert and sold as collector items.

The design of the grenade is obsolete by modern standards. It is needlessly complicated for a grenade with a time fuse, and stick type grenades are rarely used in modern combat due to the poor ratio of explosive fill to overall volume.

While the SV-54 fragmentation sleeve increased the capability of the grenade in the late 1950s, its fragment dispersion is not concentrated enough compared to modern grenades. Therefore, the 42/48M remains an interesting but rather exotic weapon that had little effect on other designs except for the Swiss HG 43 grenade that incorporated some features of the Hungarian concept.

Anyone encountering a live grenade should seek EOD support in handling the device. The operation of the grenade is poorly understood and may increase the risk of a deadly error.

SOURCES

Central Intelligence Agency, Techniques and Weapons Used by Freedom Fighters/ Encounters with Hungarian Army, Security Police, Soviet Army During Revolution, 1957.
Germuska, Pál, A MAGYAR KÖZÉPGÉPIPAR: Hadiipar és haditechnikai termelés Magyarországon 1945 és 1980 között, 2014.
Hatala, András & Kelemen Ferenc, Jegyzetek a katonai robbanótestek szerkezetének és működésének megismeréséhez és megértéséhez, 2003.
Honvédelmi Miniszerium [Ministry of Defence], Utasitás és anyagismeret a kézigránátok és gyujtó palackok számára, 1951.
Imre, Tóth, Az Elzett-gyár története, 1972.
Munkásörség Országos Parancsnoksága, Kézikönyv, az alegységparancsnokok felkészülésehez, 1980.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

Whilst employed less frequently than the other types of small arms and light weapons covered in this series, grenade launchers and anti-armour weapons have still played a role in Iraqi Special Forces’ operations during the re-conquest of parts of Iraq from the Islamic State. Complementing other types of weapons used in the fighting, weapons firing high-explosive (HE) munitions were used sparingly due to the significant collateral damage they could inflict on the civilian population of Mosul, as well as the logistical burden of ammunition resupply from a limited Iraqi support infrastructure.

One of the key systems in service with ISOF is the 40x46SRmm M203 under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), typically coupled with an ISOF member’s M4 pattern self-loading rifle. The two primary variants in use are a 9-inch barrel version using an early type of short, ventilated, replacement handguard and the more modern and widely used 12-inch barrel M203 that is mounted underneath the barrel and Picatinny handguards of an M4 rifle. The 9-inch barrel version, in addition to its reduced length, has a distinctive shape. In the past, there have been at least five makers of this configuration: Colt, Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT), Knight’s Armament, AirTronic and RM Equipment. The examples in Iraq appear to be primarily sourced from surplus U.S. military stocks. Most of these are Colt manufactured. However, LMT examples have also been documented in use.

Of the M203 models in use, very few are mounted with the appropriate flip-up leaf sights that align with the M4 front sight post for aiming purposes. Instead, many of the ISOF grenadiers place AN/PEQ-2 aiming devices at the 12 o’clock position. This does not pose an issue when used with M203 models with 12-inch barrels but complicates mounting for the variants with 9-inch barrels that use the shorter handguards. To solve this predicament, some ISOF grenadiers have been using M16A2-type carry handle mounts which attach to the standard A2 carrying handle on an M4 pattern rifle and have a Picatinny rail extension that rests over the handguard of the rifle. This allows any Picatinny-mounted optic to be placed in a forward position.

Interestingly, images showing ISOF fighters with M203 pattern grenade launchers rarely show any spare cartridges among the soldiers’ gear. In fact, there is very little video or imagery showing ISOF members firing these weapons. Current and former members of ISOF revealed that supplies of 40x46SRmm cartridges are extremely low ISOF-wide. Grenadiers are carrying their M203 UBGLs and even have purpose-designed MOLLE pouches mounted on their plate carriers, but very few combatants have been issued more than one round. In some cases, no ammunition is carried. In order to deliver HE direct supporting fires on the battlefield, ISOF troops have instead turned to a variety of man-portable, anti-armour systems that can be hand-carried throughout the dense urban streets of Mosul. These range from 84mm AT4 recoilless weapons to the ubiquitous RPG-7.

ISOF employ both the U.S.-supplied Saab 84mm AT4 single-shot recoilless anti-armour weapon and the RPG-7 multipurpose recoilless weapon of Soviet origin. There has also been limited use of 66mm M72 LAW-type rocket launchers. Although the AT4 is single-use and somewhat bulky to carry on foot, the reliance on vehicles as a base of operations and for fire support means that ISOF teams are rarely far from a mobile firebase in combat. AT4 anti-armour weapons seem to be in good supply due to U.S. logistics support of its own forces.

Whilst the RPG-7 is generally less accurate than the AT4, it does allow a single ISOF team to sustain a reasonably high rate of fire whilst remaining foot-mobile. PG-7V and PG-7VL anti-tank projectiles are carried, as are limited numbers of OG-7V anti-personnel projectiles. Many of the projectiles appear to be of Bulgarian origin, but a wide range of manufacturers’ munitions are known to be circulating within Iraq, and ISOF are likely to have employed captured and recovered stockpiles. Either the operator or an assistant is often seen carrying purpose-designed backpack pouches for carrying spare rounds. RPG-7 pattern weapons from a variety of Eastern Bloc countries appear to be in use, and it appears that most originate from Iraqi Interior Ministry purchases, rather than supplies to ISOF via foreign military sales from the United States.

The Mk 19 AGL

In addition to man-portable systems, ISOF also make extensive use of the Mk 19 40x53SRmm automatic grenade launcher (AGL). Within the ISOF arsenal, the Mk 19 is almost entirely confined to a vehicle-mounted role, generally fitted to turrets with improvised armour mounted on M123 series HMWWVs. The majority of the HMWWVs in use carry M2-type heavy machine guns (HMGs) as a primary source of firepower. A small number are instead armed with Mk 19 AGLs, however. Unlike 40x46SRmm ammunition, 40x53SRmm cartridges for the Mk 19 appear to be readily available.

Although ISOF have this automatic HE fire support capability, it has been used relatively infrequently in recent operations due to the potential friendly-fire and collateral damage it can inflict in the confined spaces these engagements have been fought in. The Mk 19 is also considered by some ISOF members as less effective than the M2 HMG at stopping certain lightly armoured, relatively fast SVBIEDs used in ambushes in tight urban terrain. The Mk 19 AGLs in use with ISOF are largely U.S.-supplied versions made by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, but a small number are believed to Korean Daewoo K4 models.

40x53SRmm ammunition has also been modified for use in improvised air-delivered munitions, dropped on to battlefield targets by commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In the Iraq-Syria theatre, this concept was first employed by the Islamic State, but such munitions are now employed by Iraqi security forces, including ISOF. Iraqi government forces often make use of commercially available shuttlecocks to provide some aerodynamic stabilization.

This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES). See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

The Rifle Grenade Launcher

During the late 1950s, the M7A3 grenade launcher adapter was being issued for use on the M1 rifle. After the M14 rifle replaced the M1, the M76 grenade launcher was adopted. For accuracy, the M15 tilting-bar sight, designed to be attached to the M14 rifle’s stock, was issued for use with the M76 launcher. Special “grenade launching cartridges” were used. Rifle grenades could also be launched from the M16 rifle, but no special adapter was needed; grenades could be slipped over the NATO standard 22mm diameter flash suppressor. Disadvantages of launching grenades from rifle barrels included: short range, inaccuracy and heavy recoil that would sometimes break buttstocks.

Clearly, a new weapon was needed, one that could provide accurate direct and indirect fire to fill the gap between the rifle, hand grenades and the light mortar. During the 1950s the United States Ordnance Department began development of a weapon that could fire high explosive munitions, multiple projectile anti-personnel rounds and smoke and illumination rounds.

40mm Ammunition

During the early 1950s the Ballistic Research Laboratories at the Aberdeen Proving Ground developed a 40mm high-explosive, fragmentation projectile. The goal was a range of 400 meters at the relatively low velocity of 250 feet per second, with a recoil force no more than that of a 12-gauge shotgun. The new projectile used a high-low pressure system, which was developed by the German firm of Rheinmetall-Borsig during World War II for their 8cm 8H63 anti-tank gun. The advantage of the high-low system was that a lightweight barrel could be used, reducing the overall weight of the weapon.

The M79 Grenade Launcher

The concept of a lightweight weapon capable of projecting a grenade further than could be thrown by hand and could exceed the range of rifle-launched grenades was coordinated by the Small Arms Development Branch, headed by Colonel Studler. Jack Bird, a deputy to Colonel Studler, took an interest in the project; he built a crude launcher and brought it to the Pentagon to demonstrate. The device was comprised of a short length of tubing with the same inside diameter as a golf ball. To operate the “launcher,” a golf ball would be placed inside the tube and compressed against a spring. The golf ball was secured in place with a nail. Upon removing the nail, the golf ball would be launched. Bird, an avid golfer, suggested the name “Project Niblick” after the number nine iron, a high lofting golf club.

During 1953, the Project Niblick grenade launcher was under development at the Springfield Armory under the guidance of Cy Moore, with Dave Katz, a design engineer. The Picatinny Arsenal provided 40mm practice grenades for firing in the prototype launchers. There were three types of launchers being developed: a crude shoulder fired test fixture, a pistol and a three-shot semiautomatic launcher. The fixture was primarily a means of testing the ammunition to get an idea of the range and accuracy. The weight of the projectile was approximately 5.3 ounces. When launched with a quadrant elevation of 35 degrees, it had a range of 400 meters. Development commenced at the Springfield Armory. Proposed designs were identified by a letter “S” representing the Springfield Armory. Many of the designs never made it any further than the drawing board.

The Infantry Board at Fort Benning stated that they preferred a three-shot grenade launcher. A barrel length of 14 inches evolved as the length to make it unlikely that the gunner could get his fingers in front of the muzzle while firing. The three-shot launcher achieved semiautomatic operation through the use of a clip made up of three side-by-side chambers, each long enough to house a cartridge about 3.5 inches long. The clips would move to the left after firing by a constant force of a negator spring. As each round was fired, a latch detected the launching of the projectile and allowed the clip to move over until stopped by the next projectile, lining up that cartridge with the barrel. Although the basic concept was simple, the mechanism proved to be complex and unreliable. Continued misalignment between the projectile on the bore created gas leakage and a loss of accuracy. Special purpose rounds, such as CS gas or signal flares with a longer overall length, could not be used. The simplest design, designated as the “S-5,” was a single-shot, break-open type weapon. The S-5 evolved into the XM79 in 1959 after the three-shot S-6, T148E1 project was canceled.

After the idea of a multi-shot, semiautomatic launcher was scrapped, it was replaced by a simple, single-shot weapon, patterned after a break-open type shotgun. One launcher was ordered from Dave Mathewson, who operated a local fabrication shop, often used by the Springfield Armory. To keep the weight at a minimum, the weapon featured a hard-coated aluminum barrel. The odd shape of the stock was designed so that the bottom edge would be aligned with the line of recoil; the top or comb is contoured to keep the grenadier’s head upright owing to the line-of-sight relief when firing at low angles. To reduce the effects of the recoil on the shooter, a rubber recoil pad was fitted to the butt of the stock. The Infantry Board suggested a folding leaf sight mounted on the barrel with a bead front sight just above the muzzle. The XM79 launcher was sent to the Infantry Board in 1956 and was recommended for type classification in 1957.

To load the weapon, the operator simply moves the barrel-locking latch counter-clockwise to open the breech. Moving the release latch automatically puts the weapon into a safe position; opening the breech cocks the weapon. After closing the barrel, the safety must be pushed forward to fire. The weapon is easily field stripped by removing the front sling swivel screw and removing the forend. The barrel can then be disengaged from the fulcrum pin and separated from the receiver group.

The weight of the loaded launcher is 6.45 pounds; overall length is 28.78 inches. The stock and forearm are made of walnut. The rest of the weapon, except for the aluminum barrel, uses steel parts phosphated for corrosion protection. The original contract price for the M79 was $318.00 each. The M79 was issued with a small arms accessory case, which included a bore brush, plastic oil tube, combination tool and cleaning brush. Early carrying cases for the kit were made of canvas, later changed to vinyl.

During testing by the Infantry Board in June 1960, it was recommended that a new rear sight for the M79 launcher be designed and fabricated. The new sight was completed in October 1960. The early ladder-type sight was replaced with an adjustable, single crosspiece-type sight with a correction for azimuth. All launchers produced up to June 1960 had to be retrofitted. Confirmatory tests in December 1960 revealed requirements for additional windage adjustment on the rear sight. The additional sight modification was incorporated in the first production run. R&D continued in order to improve the reliability and function of the weapon. The launcher was considered acceptable by the Continental Army Command (CONARC) and was subsequently type-classified as the Launcher, Grenade, 40mm, M79 on December 15, 1960. By the first quarter of 1961, the new adjustable rear leaf sight was in full production, and several mandatory changes were implemented on the barrel locking lug, trigger spring and front sight.

The heat and humidity being experienced in Vietnam were causing problems with the warping and swelling of the wooden stocks of the M79. As a result, work began on designing a plastic buttstock and foregrip for the weapon. By 1964, a suitable plastic buttstock was available; General Tire was the primary contractor. There were no plastic foregrips adopted.

Although the M79 grenade launcher was designed and developed at the Springfield Armory, the majority were manufactured by civilian companies. Contracts awarded to private industry included: Action Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Contract DA-11-1199-ORD-736 and Exotic Metal Products, Pasadena, California, Contract DA-11-199-ORD-730. Other contracts were subsequently awarded to the Kanarr Corporation of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and Thompson Ramo Woolridge (TRW) of Lyndhurst, Ohio. The decision to have private companies manufacture the M79, resulted in a lot of resentment with the civilian employees of the Springfield Armory. Series production ran from 1961 to 1971 with an estimated 350,000 M79 launchers produced.

Despite being replaced by modern grenade launchers, like the M320A1 and the M32A1, the M79 is still being fielded by the U.S. military.

The China Lake Grenade Launcher

Developed for the U.S. Navy SEAL teams was a limited production, pump-action 40mm grenade launcher, fed from an under-barrel tubular three-round magazine. The launcher was fitted with M79 front and rear sights and a shotgun-style stock. There was no official designation other than “The China Lake Grenade Launcher.” The weapon was developed at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, during 1967-1968.

The XM148 Grenade Launcher

While the adoption of the M79 grenade launcher solved one problem, it created another; it reduced the number of riflemen in a squad, the man carrying the single-shot M79 was usually armed with only a pistol for self-defense. To address the problem, the concept of the rifle-mounted launcher was studied. The 40mm XM148 launcher, first issued in 1967, was designed for mounting under the barrel of an M16 rifle. The weapon was developed by Colt Firearms to allow each rifleman in an infantry squad the ability to launch 40mm grenades, rather than one man equipped with an M79. During field testing in Vietnam, a number of problems were encountered. The XM148 launcher was not considered reliable or safe enough for type classification, and the launchers were pulled from service; most were destroyed.

The M203 Grenade Launcher

After the XM148 grenade launcher was scrapped, the concept of a rifle-mounted launcher was not. The Army initiated a competitive program for a new 40mm rifle-mounted grenade launcher. Designs were submitted by Aircraft Armaments Inc., Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation and Aerojet Ordnance and Manufacturing Company. During August 1968, the Aircraft Armaments (AAI) design was type-classified as the XM203 grenade launcher. A small lot was manufactured and shipped to Vietnam for field testing. AAI’s XM203 40mm grenade launcher was found to be simple, safe and reliable. After successful testing and evaluation, the Aircraft Armaments design was type-classified as the Launcher, Grenade 40mm, M203 in 1969. Ironically, Aircraft Armaments, who developed the weapon, did not have the capacity to produce the number required by the Army, and a contract to manufacture the M203 was awarded to Colt Firearms. The U.S. M4 Carbine version of the M16 was adopted in 1994. The M203 launcher would not fit on the shorter M4. The M203 GL was modified into the M203A1, which is functionally the same as the M203 but is designed to fit on the M4 and M4A1 carbines. The quick-release M203A2 was designed for M4 carbines with a rail system and with M16A4 rifles that have the M5 adapter rail. Currently, there are at least seven U.S. companies manufacturing the M203 grenade launchers and its variants.

Part Two described some unguided, shoulder-launched rocket weapons. Among these was the Panzerfaust 3 family produced by Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) from Germany. Such shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons have turned into versatile multipurpose weapons, and new developments are ongoing. The purpose of this article is to describe the following products:

DND’s shoulder-launched Recoilless Grenade Weapon (RGW) 90 with multipurpose capabilities;
MBDA’s shoulder-launched Enforcer guided missile system;
Rafael’s shoulder-launched Spike SR (Short Range) infantry missile;
Javelin.

Upper: MNV-50 Night Monocular (~630 grams). Lower: Laser Optical Sight with LRF/Ballistic Computer (<1kg), RGW 90 family. (Aud Håland)

RGW 90

DDND GmbH has developed a new shoulder-launched weapon: the RGW 90. It’s designed to fill the gap between current shoulder-fired weapons that are capable of operating at ranges of 300–600 meters and anti-tank missiles.

The RGW 90 LRMP is a 90mm man-portable, anti-armor, multipurpose disposable weapon system. RGW is short for “Recoilless Grenade Weapon,” while LRMP describes the “Long Range Multi-Purpose” nature of the programmable warhead. It’s fully mechanical, has no power supply, recoilless and easy to handle. The RGW 90 LRMP has an effective range of 1,200 meters and is very effective against a variety of targets. The Dynahawk reusable fire control sight maximizes the first hit probability against distant targets by allowing the gunner to measure target distance and other relevant data in the visual field. The warhead, which utilizes a trimodal programmable warhead fuze, can be set before firing by the shooter for point (impact), short or delay activation—enabling the weapon to defeat light armored vehicles and field fortifications—or it can be set for airburst to defeat targets behind cover. The effector is a 90mm multifunctional warhead with an effective range from very short (20 meters) up to 1,200 meters, double the effective combat range of comparable weapons. Like other Dynamit Nobel Defence weapons, the RGW 90 LRMP is operable from enclosed/confined spaces, which is particularly useful for combat engagements in urban terrain. Thanks to its state-of-the-art in-flight propulsion system, the RGW 90 has an excellent hit probability. A standard interface rail allows a night sight to be fitted. The weapon can also be delivered with an illuminated sight to provide night fighting capability without the need for additional accessories. Featuring a non-electric firing circuit and several independent safety elements in the firing mechanism, the RGW 90 LRMP is safe to ship and handle under all environmental conditions. Its high-quality optical sight and balanced, ergonomic design help to increase the weapon’s effectiveness. A complete set of training equipment is also available for the RGW 90. The RGW 90 LRMP fulfills many of the tactical requirements of infantry units for a truly multipurpose tactical weapon. Procurement of the RGW 90 LRMP from Dynamit Nobel Defence began with the German KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte) and Naval Special Forces. The infantry will subsequently be equipped.

The RGW 90 AS (Anti Structure) is specially designed to support troops in an urban environment. The tandem warhead with a Break-In Charge (BIC) and a Follow-Through Bomb (FTB) performs well against a variety of structures. The smart fuze of the FTB allows the gunner to choose between two modes: a “Blast” mode to detonate inside the building to remove its protective value and a “Mousehole” mode to create to create a man-sized hole. The high level of penetration offered by the combined BIC and FTB warhead also provides excellent performance against light armored vehicles.

The RGW 90 HH is a lightweight multipurpose weapon, capable of defeating tanks as the primary target and buildings or field fortifications as the secondary target. With its 90mm dual-mode warhead, the RGW 90 provides all these capabilities in a single, lightweight, disposable weapon at an affordable cost. RGW 90 features an excellent hit probability due to a state-of-the-art in-flight propulsion system and can be Fired From Enclosure (FFE).

Enforcer with sight system held by a British soldier. (Aud Håland)

MBDA Enforcer

Enforcer is a German-led, multinational MBDA program with the aim of providing a simple, quick and effective protection weapon for soldiers in action against a variety of threats. Enforcer is the answer to the need for a lightweight and high-precision weapon with standoff capability for infantry and Special Forces at an affordable cost. The Enforcer concept is a new, lightweight, disposable shoulder-launched guided munition in the 2,000-meter range class with high precision over the full range. Enforcer provides major advantages for infantry and Special Forces, bringing with it superior range and effect compared to heavy machine guns, Grenade Machine Guns and rocket launchers. Compared to previously used weapons systems, this small missile offers numerous advantages. It’s a lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) and fire-and-forget missile system with minimal exposure of the operator to enemy fire. Enforcer can be operated from behind cover and from enclosed/confined spaces. The weapon can be carried and operated by a single soldier (missile + launch tube <9kg). The system (sight and two munitions) weighs <20kg, and the missile weighs <7kg. It enables dismounted infantry to engage lightly protected battlefield and urban targets at relevant combat ranges beyond the capability of currently available infantry weapons. Enforcer can be used to engage a broad variety of targets, including lightly armored, static and moving targets, threats behind cover, soft-skinned targets (including concealed snipers) and infrastructure, with high precision and minimal collateral damage. The missile is effective against targets behind cover through its airburst capability, multi-effects warhead and ability to be fired from enclosed spaces. Enforcer has already demonstrated its technical maturity in several tests to prove the viability of the technology and design. Successful firing against moving targets and airburst trials at a range of 1,000 meters in 2017 followed three successful guided firing trials in November 2016. These demonstrations were carried out with a development model of the Enforcer at the Bundeswehr’s Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition against stationary targets at ranges between 1,000 meters and 2,000 meters, using both an earlier steel launch tube and the new developmental carbon fiber tube. The firings were part of the proving trials for the missile’s LOBL EO homing guidance and also demonstrated a new, much lower flight trajectory in the missile engagement sequence and very high precision at all ranges. Data analysis of the firing confirmed that the seeker precisely detected and tracked the target for the entire flight of the missile. One of the areas MBDA is currently working on is the Bundeswehr’s night fighting capability requirement. MBDA plans to begin qualification and series production of this very compact missile over the next few years. In this respect, more guided firings are planned for 2018. Enforcer will be offered to the German Army. It will also be available in 90mm caliber, which could complement the RGW 90 LRMP infantry weapon. Enforcer’s modular architecture enables a range of future development options—preempting the anticipated evolution of military operations scenarios toward greater complexity—including the prospect of an Enforcer munitions family. Another advantage of the missile’s modular design is its potential for customization for different applications and platforms.

Enforcer with sight system (missile + launch tube <9kg, sight ~2.2kg). (Aud Håland)

Spike SR (Short Range)

A short-range, man-portable, shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget, electro-optical (EO) guided missile, Spike SR is the latest and most compact member of Rafael’s fourth- and fifth-generation Spike missile family.

The Spike family comprises such electro-optical missile systems as the Spike MR/LR (Medium Range/Long Range—maximum range 2.5 kilometers/4 kilometers), Spike ER (Extended Range—8 kilometers) and the standoff Spike NLOS (Non Line Of Sight—30 kilometers). The whole Spike family is operated by 29 nations, which have procured more than 29,000 missiles in the last 25 years. In addition, Rafael has unveiled the new Spike LR II missile (5.5-kilometer range) to meet today’s new operational requirements. Spike SR is optimized to defeat modern MBTs and APCs and to penetrate bunkers. It was designed as a very light multipurpose infantry weapon for use by the infantry platoon, infantry squad or Special Operations Forces. Unlike the aforementioned shoulder-launched rocket system RGW 90, Spike SR is a guided missile. The SR missile was tailored to the combat needs of infantry forces in contemporary and future conflicts. It is optimal for use in a large variety of operational and environmental scenarios against a range of conventional threats (including regular forces using established tactics) and unconventional threats (such as insurgents employing asymmetric tactics) worldwide. Spike SR is simple to use; the operation sequence involves four switches and responsive icons, as it was designed for the basic infantry. Spike SR has a short time interval from power-up to operational readiness. In less than six seconds the missile is ready to engage targets that are exposed only for brief periods. Unlike the gimballed seeker installed in the Spike MR/LR/ER (Medium-Range/Long Range/Extended Range) missiles, the Spike SR incorporates an uncooled and fixed dual day/night-capable EO seeker and tracker that offers lock-on and fire-and-forget capabilities against even fast-moving targets.

The Spike SR has a high hit probability against stationary and moving targets from 50 meters out to 1,500 meters. The short minimum range of only 50 meters came as an operational requirement from the multiple customers of the Spike family in NATO. Such a short-range capability could become important in forested battle arenas, where a tank target can appear suddenly between the trees.

The Spike SR missile launcher includes an embedded miniature Command Launch Unit (CLU) that, like the canister, is totally disposable after launch. This means there’s nothing to maintain, driving the LCC down. All the capabilities mentioned above are packed into a small (98-centimeter) and light package weighing a little less than 10kg (including the missile, CLU and battery). Spike SR’s operational simplicity provides the infantry soldier with the versatility and rapid response capabilities that are essential in modern conventional and asymmetric combat. The Spike SR was designed to give the infantry a low-cost, high-end solution, capable of destroying MBTs, as well as other targets, at less than half the price of modern ATGMs. The Spike SR has already been procured by several customers and is an off-the-shelf product.

Firing a Javelin. A battlegroup from Telemark Battalion on high-readiness exercise “Bifrost” in northern Norway (October 16–20). (Ole-Sverre Haugli/Norwegian Armed Forces)

Javelin

Javelin is a shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget, portable anti-tank missile. The missile system is most often carried by a two-person team consisting of a gunner and an ammunition bearer, although it can be fired with just one person if necessary. While the gunner aims and fires the missile, the ammo bearer scans for prospective targets, watches for threats, such as enemy vehicles and troops and ensures that personnel and obstacles are clear of the missile’s backblast.

To fire, the gunner places a cursor over the selected target. The Javelin CLU then sends an LOBL signal to the missile. With its soft-launch design, Javelin can be safely fired from inside buildings or bunkers. The missile is ejected from the launcher so that it reaches a safe distance from the operator before the main rocket motor ignites: a “soft launch” arrangement. This makes it harder to identify the launcher; however, backblast from the launch tube still poses a hazard to nearby personnel. Javelin’s long-wave IR seeker enables it to engage under conditions of reduced visibility and resist countermeasures. The team can reposition immediately after firing or prepare to fire on their next target while the first missile is still in the air. The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles (attacking the top armor, which is generally thinner), but can use a direct-attack mode against buildings, targets inside the minimum top-attack engagement range and targets under obstructions. Javelin is combat proven, used by American forces in the Iraq War and in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, American soldiers also used the Javelin against threatening insurgents firing from machine gun positions. Its versatility makes it effective against tanks, bunkers, buildings, small boats and slow-moving helicopters in the direct-attack mode. It can reach a peak altitude of 150 meters (500 feet) in top-attack mode and 60 meters (190 feet) in direct-attack mode. The tandem warhead is fitted with two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor. Javelin has a wide range of effectiveness (from less than 75 meters to more than 2,500 meters), offers more tactical possibilities and has unmatched lethality; with a missile reliability level of more than 93%, its first-hit probability is over 94%. The Javelin system is adaptable to many platforms, including tripods, trucks, light armored vehicles and remotely piloted vehicles. Javelin is sold in Europe, the Pacific and the Middle East.

The Enforcer is also compatible with the Hensoldt (formerly Airbus Optronics and more formerly Zeiss) Dynahawk clip-on fire control system currently selected for the RGW 90 LRMP. (MBDA)

Spike SR has a rugged design and utilizes a versatile, lightweight (9.6kg), single-use disposable launcher canister (length 970mm). (RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS LTD.)

“We come now to the rifle grenade. Rifle grenades are similar to hand grenades except that they are ‘thrown’ by your rifle instead of your hand and arm. They are designed to be fired from your rifle by using a special device called a launcher which is attached to the muzzle of your rifle. A special blank cartridge is used in your rifle to shoot the grenade at your target. Again you are reminded that there are several types of rifle grenades just as there are several types of hand grenades. Your choice of a rifle grenade depends on what you want it to do.”
—US Army Field Manual 23-30 Hand and Rifle Grenades, April 1949

While some primitive, musket-launched explosive munitions reportedly appeared on battlefields way back in the 1600s, their widespread use didn’t take off–literally–until most of the world was at war from 1914 to 1918. Battle-tested in trench warfare, necessarily improved and made in many specialized varieties, the rifle grenade secured its place then and now in the arsenal of indispensable infantry weapons.

Bridging the very wide distance gap between hand bombs and light mortars, individual soldiers used their muzzle-launched munitions in high angle fire to clear trenches or shoot signal flares, fire directly to blast buildings and bunkers and even gas their enemies.

Cups, Rods and Spigots

The earliest practical types were cups and rods, the first being heavy, ungainly muzzle-mounted and muzzle-loading, mini-cannon barrels propelling munitions by force of powerful blank loads or–quite cleverly–standard ball projectiles passing through a tunnel in the grenade. Most soldiers on both ends are said to have hated them.

Rods came next, around 1907, and are usually credited to Martin Hale. Dispensing with the bothersome steel cup, they perched the grenade atop a long, ungainly, bothersome steel rod that was slipped down the rifle’s barrel.

Obviously, standard bulleted cartridges would be disastrous, so powerful special blanks were needed. Soldiers really hated these too, as did thrifty Ordnance officials faced with untold numbers of rifle barrels that were badly damaged by the rapid exit of rattling rods.

So launching cups came back into style–if not favored–by the French, British, Germans, Johnny-come-lately American Doughboys and other combatant nations.

In the years following what was overly optimistically dubbed, “The War to End All Wars,” spigot-type launchers were developed by the US Army. A vast improvement in many ways over the cup cannon, relatively light, finned, hollow-tail grenades were slipped over a light and handy steel spigot tube clamped in one way or another to the muzzles of various rifles.

While back to having to carry both standard and blank ammo, soldiers who didn’t load the wrong cartridges in the heat of battle were rewarded by highly efficient munitions that flew fast and far.

27 years later, by the end of World War II, rifle grenades in use by all major and most minor military forces had reached high levels of sophistication and effectiveness. Oddly, the usually innovative Germans stuck with old-fashioned, inefficient cups, as did the Japanese, British and Russians.

Along the way, all of the American infantry soldier’s handy hand grenade types were fitted with tailbooms or special adapters for finned flight, including anti-personnel, smoke, incendiary, irritant gas and anti-armor.

Grenades, Accessories, Sequence of Operations and Mechanical Training
(An excerpt from US War Department Basic Field Manual 23-30, Hand and Rifle Grenades, February 1944)

Grenades. With the aid of a launcher, rifle grenades may be fired from US Rifles, caliber.30, M1, Ma903, M903A1, M903A3 and M1917; and from the US Carbine, caliber.30, M1, M1A1 and M1A3.

Types. Rifle grenades are divided into four general classes:

Practice (training) grenades containing no explosives as follows:
Practice anti-tank rifle grenade M11A1.
Practice anti-tank rifle grenade M11A2.

High explosive or fragmentation grenades containing an explosive charge, as follows:
Anti-tank rifle grenade M9A1.
Impact fragmentation rifle grenade M17 (formerly the T2).
Fragmentation hand grenade Mk II (used with Grenade-projection adapter M1).

Pyrotechnic signals equipped with the fin assembly to be fired from the launchers, as follows:
Ground signal, white star; parachute, M17A1; cluster M18A1.
Ground signal, green star; parachute, M19A1; cluster M20A1.
Ground signal, amber star; parachute, M21A1; cluster M22A1.
Ground signal, red star; parachute, M51A1; cluster M52A1.

Smoke rifle grenade (White Phosphorous) T5.

Accessories. Special cartridges listed below are used for discharging all rifle grenades, both for anti-tank and anti-personnel use. Neither ordinary blank ammunition nor service ammunition will be used.

Rifle grenade cartridge, caliber.30, M3.
Carbine grenade cartridge, caliber.30, M6.
Auxiliary grenade cartridge, M7. This cartridge designed to give additional range when used in firing grenades from rifles and carbines.
Grenade launcher sight T59.

“Cold War” Developments

To great relief of Brit Tommies, Frenchies and others, cups were canned, and tubes triumphed as NATO armies grimly armed to counter Communist nations, intent on world domination. Sound familiar?

While AT grenades using shaped-charge warheads for armor-cutting had proliferated, the lethality of anti-tank rifle grenades increased exponentially with introduction of the ENERGA in 1948.

US M31 HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) Rifle Grenade

While disastrous experience against increasingly thick armor on German tanks in WWII set in motion US development of the Super Bazooka with its 3.5-inch diameter warhead, no such luck in rifle grenades. So when GIs went head-to-head with North Korea’s Soviet-supplied T34 tanks in 1950, the puny HEAT was all but useless.

In hasty desperation, the American solution was to field the M28 HEAT rifle grenade, a version of the formidable European ENERGA, capable of easily blowing through the T34/?85’s thick frontal armor. This was quickly followed by the improved M31, a beefy 1.56 pounder with even greater penetration.

Produced in enormous quantities by Mecar of Belgium, the ENERGA and variants were widely used by NATO signatories and other nations.

M31 HEAT Tech Specs
Length: 16.9 in.
Weight: 25 oz.
Warhead: 66mm (2.6 in.) diameter, 8.9oz RDX/TNT Composition B-shaped charge
Fuze: Piezoelectric
Penetration: 8in steel armor, 19in concrete

Notes: Launched with powerful grenade blanks to nearly 200m, its 22mm-diameter tailboom is compatible with all US rifle grenade launchers and right off the barrel of most every NATO standard rifle.

Mecar’s HEAT-RFL-75 Super ENERGA is a rocket-boosted, bunker-busting and tank terror with an effective range of 150m against moving targets out to a maximum range in excess of 500m. Its shaped charge warhead of 328g of PETN punches through 275mm (10.8in) of armor plate and 600mm (23.6in) of reinforced concrete. Caution: DON’T FIRE IT FROM THE SHOULDER!

Bloopers Be Damned!

While it looked for a while that stand-alone and underbarrel grenade launchers like America’s M79 and M203 “Bloop Tubes” and Russian GP-25 Kostyor would render the venerable rifle grenade obsolete, that doesn’t seem to be entirely the case so far.

Indeed, the French in particular seem fond of rifle grenades, necessarily small and light so as to allow launching from the small and light FAMAS bullpup. Online videos gleefully document pain and punishment from firing even midget munitions like the 14-ounce APAV 40.

Merde!

Today, tailboom grenades proliferate worldwide in a dazzling array of types including Mecar’s handy TELGREN, a family of flyers that collapse like a telescope for compact carrying, then expand with a quick pull for launching–complete with a clever spring-deployed plastic ladder sight.

Other Developments

Cups are making a comeback, most notably for launching riot control and other “less lethal” munitions. Conflict Armament Research reports on interesting hybrids recently encountered in use by Islamic State forces that feature finned grenade IEDs fired from a Kalashnikov-mounted cup.

When all is said and done, rifle-launched munitions are too damn versatile and effective to yield entirely to bulky bloop tubes. “No pain, no gain.”

Rifle Grenade References

This necessarily brief photo feature is intended as a way to stimulate an appetite for more research on the world’s fascinating array of rifle-launched munitions. As such, we offer some for starters:

SAR Archives

www.smallarmsreview.com/archive/reference.index.cfm
Rifle Grenade Overview Online

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle_grenade
Grenades (and just about all other explosive ordnance)
ordata.info

Videos

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rifle+grenades
Best Overall for Vintage Grenade Collectors
inert-ord.net

Books

US Infantry Weapons of the First World War, Bruce Canfield

Jane’s Infantry Weapons, Various Editors, Multiple Editions

Reproduction and Inert Rifle Grenades

www.serviceofsupply.com/product/grenade-rifle-rubber-reproduction/
Various online sellers found on ebay, Gunbroker and others

One for fun

NcStar AR-15 Golf Ball Grenade Launcher
Sportsmandguide.com

The Rod Grenade of WWI gets an ultramodern twist in the SIMON Breach Grenade from Rafael of Israel. Its standoff detonating rod is out front and the tailboom slips over the rifle’s flash suppressor. Known as the M100 Grenade Rifle Entry Munition in US service, it explodes at a set distance to blast open heavy doors and shuttered windows. A bullet trap inside allows launching with conventional ball cartridges. Seen here, an Israeli paratrooper slips a SIMON onto his M4 carbine in a live fire training exercise in 2012. (IDF PHOTO VIA WIKIMEDIA)

The British Army’s heavy steel cup “discharger” of WWI soldiered on some 20 years later as seen in this 1942 photo of a Home Guard reservist demonstrating tank-busting technique. Protruding from the cup clamped to the muzzle of his SMLE No. 1 MkIII is a No. 68 AT grenade, its rather small, shaped charge warhead only able to penetrate a maximum of 2 inches of armor flat-on. Ferocious recoil from the powerful Ballistite blank load kicking a heavy projectile necessitates placement of the rifle butt on the ground. (IWM PHOTO VIA WIKIMEDIA)

The US Army took the lead after the Great War in dumping cup launchers in favor of the “spigot,” a steel tube of standard outside diameter fitted to the full range of rifles and carbines. It was far more efficient in simplicity, weight reduction and adaptability to all types of rifle grenades that needed only a 22mm inside diameter tailboom for compatibility. This 1951 photo from the Korean War shows a 7th Infantry Division soldier with an M8 launcher clamped to the muzzle of what is most likely an M2 Carbine. Sticking out of the right breast pocket of his field jacket are the tails of what are probably signal grenades, lighter and less prone to destroying the little carbine from launch recoil. (US SIGNAL CORPS PHOTO VIA WIKIMEDIA)

When calling in standard tube-launched mortar fire isn’t fast enough for dealing with nearby Germans, put a 60mm mortar round onto a Grenade Projection Adapter and “bombs away” with your M1 Rifle. This clever improvisation by GIs in WWII further expanded available standard options including anti-tank, anti-personnel, signal and smoke types. (US SIGNAL CORPS/NATIONAL ARCHIVES/AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)

This excellent lineup provided by Inert-Ord.net shows some representative types of US rifle grenades from WWII and on, as well as adapters for firing most all of the the full range of hand grenades. Standing from left to right is the M1 Grenade Projection Adapter, the M1A1 GPA with MKII Fragmentation Hand Grenade, the M2A1 Chemical Grenade Projection Adapter, the M29 Anti-tank Grenade, the M9A1 Anti-tank Grenade, its M11A3 practice version, the M17 Fragmentation Grenade, and the M11 Anti-tank Grenade. Lying down in front is a round-nosed M22 Smoke Grenade (Yellow) and a M19A1 Green Star Parachute Signal. (INERT-ORD.NET)

The Japanese Self-Defense Force is among many modern military forces that still find merit in rifle-launched munitions. This JSDF soldier is preparing to fire a Type 06 rifle grenade from his Howa Type 89 rifle at the 2014 Firepower in Fuji demonstration. (JSDF VIA WIKIMEDIA)

This interesting selection of weaponry used by USAF Air Police in Vietnam for the tough job of defending air bases from attack by fanatical VC and NVA sappers includes both rifle grenades and the hastily fielded XM 148 40mm grenade launcher, mounted underneath an M16 rifle. Lined up on sandbags from left to right is an extremely rare at the time 30-round M16 magazine, 5.56mm blank and ball cartridges, 40mm grenade, bayonet, yellow smoke streamer grenade, 60mm mortar round, frag grenade in projection adapter and a practice version of the M28 HEAT grenade. (USAF/NATIONAL ARCHIVES/AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)

A cutaway drawing of the US M31 HEAT Rifle Grenade reveals the secrets of most every modern one of the type. When the piezoelectric crystal in its nose crushes on impact, an electric charge is sent to the fuze/booster, setting off the shaped charge to blast a superheated jet through as much as 8 inches of armor plate. (US ARMY VIA WIKIMEDIA)

Cup type launchers still find favor for flinging specialized munitions from a variety of shoulder arms as evidenced by a Mossberg shotgun in a training session for “less lethal” applications. Lance Cpl. Grey J. Thurman, a military police officer of the 47th Marine Wing Support Group, 4th platoon, gives instructions to a Moroccan soldier during peace support operations training during African Lion 2012. (USMC STAFF SERGEANT NICHOLAS CLOWARD)

[Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series on grenade launchers.]

Dismounted infantry units have a variety of weapons. These are assault rifles, add-on grenade launchers, light and medium machine guns and various shoulder-fired rocket launchers. However, none is an ideal solution against enemy infantry out in the open at long range, in defilade, or in entrenched fighting positions. But the soldiers have an ace up in their sleeve–support from a long-range Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) firing 40x53mm High Velocity (HV) rounds.

AGLs are extremely effective weapons against lightly protected opponents, offering an overmatch with fast firepower against superior opponent numbers. This has made them an increasingly popular choice on the front lines. AGLs are usually mounted on a tripod as an infantry weapon for engaging ground targets or installed on a mount for use on land vehicles, patrol boats, integrated on a remote-operated weapon station on a vehicle or onboard a helicopter. This article will describe the following Automatic Grenade Launchers,

Fire Control System and ammunition:

• MK19 Mod 3
• MK47 MOD 0 STRIKER40
• Heckler & Koch’s GMG
• Heckler & Koch’s GMG with Rheinmetall’s Fire Control System
• Nammo’s 40x53mm HV grenades

The MK19 was originally developed to provide the U.S. Navy with an effective riverine patrol weapon in Vietnam War.

MK19

The MK19 was originally developed to provide the U.S. Navy with an effective riverine patrol weapon in Vietnam. A Product Improvement Program was initiated in the late 1970s resulting in the MK19 Mod 3.

The U.S. Army adopted the MK19 Mod 3 in 1983 and has used the MK19 in the harsh environments encountered during world-wide operations. The MK19 Mod 3 is used within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, urban warfare and special operations. It’s also used by the U.S. Navy and adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force for a variety of ground applications.

General Dynamics’ and U.S. Ordnance’s reliable MK19s are still in production and are likely to remain so for some time to come.

MK19 Mod 3 mounted on a Humvee.

MK19 Mod 3

U.S. Ordnance, Inc. produces the 40x53mm MK19 Mod 3 GMG for foreign sales. The automatic fire, blow-back operated, belt-fed weapon is air cooled. It has an angle of fire between 70o elevation and 70o depression. The MK19 Mod 3 is designed to not cook off because it fires from an open bolt which enhances cooling and low barrel temperature between shot bursts and during rapid fire engagements and sustained automatic firing. The chrome bore barrel is removable. No headspace or timing adjustments are required. It is capable of firing all HV 40mm (NATO-qualified) various rounds (rds), such as the M430A1 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) 40mm grenades, at a cyclic rate of 325 to 375 rds/min. The belt pull of 28 rds gives no reduction to rate of fire. The dual spade grips give stable control. The MK19 Mod 3 can, when employed on the battlefield, engage targets at short- and long-range distances with continuous lethal firepower against a variety of targets, including lightly armored vehicles and dismounted infantry out in the open, in defilade, or in entrenched fighting positions.

The Muzzle Velocity is ~241 m/s. Maximum effective range against point targets is 1,500m and against area targets 2,000m. HEDP grenades will penetrate 75mm rolled homogenous armor (RHA) at a maximum range of 2,212m which means they can penetrate most infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Dismounted personnel within a radius of 15m from impact will be immobilized by blast and fragmentation. The MK19 Mod 3 is especially effective when used against enemy infantry formations. Due to its low recoil and comparatively light weight, 35kg, the MK19 Mod 3 has been adapted for use on many different platforms, including small attack boats and fast attack vehicles, such as the Humvee, Stryker, AAV, military jeeps and a large variety of naval mounts. It is crew-transportable over short distances with limited amounts of ammunition. The weapon’s high lethality and broad versatility make it the prime choice of U.S. warfighters as an essential weapon in both offensive and defensive operations. The simple design makes general maintenance easy. Mean rounds between failures exceed 20,000 rds. Weapon life is 50,000 rds. (Optional: Tripod and mounts and mounting rail for optics and accessories.) At the company’s booth at SHOT Show 2018, and at the firing range ProGun, U.S. ORDNANCE’s MK19 Mod 3 top rail mounted an IntelliOptix’s Machine Gun Sight (MGS+) and a 3x flip over magnifier sight. The IntelliOptix MGS is designed as “One Sight for all Crew Served Weapons.” With an extra wide field of view for heads-up-display, the MGS offers both-eyes-open shooting. Night fighting capability is possible using NVG. The MGS+ provides faster target acquisition and increased first burst hit probability. The MGS significantly improves weapon accuracy and increases the speed and ease of target acquisition. The MGS+ offers one-shot-one-hit capability. The MGS+ comes with a removable LED module with various Mil Dot Reticles for the actual weapon in use.

MK47 MOD O.

MK47 MOD 0 40mm Advanced Grenade Launcher

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is the system integrator of the MK47 MOD 0 lightweight 40mm Advanced Grenade Launcher. MK47 is integrated with the latest sensing, targeting and computer-programming technology. The MK47 marks the first major advancement in crew-served GMG weapon systems. The MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade launcher suited for light infantry vehicles and tripod applications. The MK47 provides the warfighter with a decisive technological advantage over enemy forces equipped with older crew-served weapons. To assist the soldiers to detect, recognize and get a first-round engagement of target threats in all weather, the MK47 has a sophisticated Lightweight Video Sight (LVS) with built-in, third-generation image intensifier with a magnification of 9x. The LVS is day/night switchable. The fire control system utilizes an eye-safe laser rangefinder with a range of 40m to 2,000m with an accuracy of 1m, a ballistic computer, azimuth reading, ammunition mode and electronic elevation mechanism.

The MK47 is ~17.2kg lighter than the MK19 Mod 3 at 18kg versus 35kg. The significant reduction in weight is achieved by an innovative design coupled with the extensive use of new lightweight materials and composites. In addition, there are the weights of the MK47’s sophisticated fire control system and the tripod. The flip side is an increase in the purchase cost of each weapon and in the associated maintenance burdens. The weapon features a quick detach barrel for ease of transport.

It has fixed headspace and timing. The MK47 is recoil-operated and fires from the closed-bolt position which is claimed to lower dispersion. It has low-peak recoil and a trigger mechanism with unique asymmetric safe and fire positions, and the weapon does not fire if the barrel or buffer is not correctly installed. The back plate cannot be removed while there is a round in the chamber. Other features include single-charge loading and last round ejects. The firing pin does not release unless the bolt is in the closed position. Ammunition is fed from the left, and the empty 40mm cartridge cases are ejected downwards; when the top cover is opened the belt stays in place. Total charge pull is 55% of the MK19, and a round counter is fitted as standard. The MK47 fires all NATO standard high velocity 40mm rounds, providing devastating firepower against soft and light armored targets (muzzle velocity 240 m/s). It has a maximum effective range of 1,500m. Maximum effectiveness is obtained when the system uses 40x53mm High Explosive Dual Purpose/High Explosive Dual Purpose-Self-Destruct fuzes (HEDP/HEDP-SD) against a variety of targets (Light Armor/Materiel/Dismounted Infantry) or 40mmx53 HE/HE/SD HV High Explosive grenades for anti-personnel/anti-materiel. The ammunition can be programmed for either air burst or point detonation. The Computing Devices Canada electronic fire-control system is mounted on the right side of the weapon and allows for rapid target acquisition and provides a head-up display on a flat screen. The display is adjustable and can be detached. Power is from the vehicle or internal NATO standard battery which has sufficient power for 8 hours. Once the operator has ranged onto the target the fire-control system automatically computes a target solution and programmes the chambered 40mm round before it is fired. There is also a back-up sight. Rate of fire is 250/300 rds/min. The MK47 fires from an advanced lightweight tripod or universal vehicle mount. MK47 achieves a 90% hit rate on the first round.

HK GMG with Rheinmetall’s Fire Control System, on the right mounting: Fire Control Unit with thermal sight.

Heckler & Koch’s GMG

H&K calls their AGL for Grenade Machine Gun (GMG). HK GMG is recoil-operated, inertia bolt and fires from the open bolt, and uses all types of available 40x53mm grenades in either semi- or fully automatic firing modes. The barrel is cold hammer forged. GMG’s muzzle velocity is 241m/s. Maximum effective range is ~1,500m with a maximum range of 2,200m. Rate of fire is ~350 rds/min. Belt feed direction is operator convertible. Barrel is removable without tools. A special barrel lock prevents firing if it’s not properly installed. In order to reduce weight and manufacturing costs, the receiver is made of aluminum. Other features include a fluted chamber for equal pressure on cartridge case and positive extraction and ejection. The primer ignition is advanced. The bolt reciprocates on a massive guide rod and is stabilized by two steel rails that are bolted to the receiver. The HK GMG upper mount (gun cradle) readily mounts to standard U.S. tripods, various vehicle mounts or the lightweight adjustable HK aluminum tripod. The tripod provides low-to-high height position settings as well as provisions (retainer hooks) for the use of a ballast sack to reduce tripod movement during firing from the high standing position. The upper mount with control grips has ambidextrous firing levers and an adjustable shoulder support. This enables the shooter to quickly and accurately engage multiple and/or moving targets during free gun firing. Clearing the gun simply consists of lifting the feed tray cover and removing the belt. The position of the ambidextrous charging handle allows the shooter to cock and clear the gun without reaching near the ammunition belt and feed way. Weapon and tripod can be transported in “backpack” by a two-man team. The weapon’s weight is approximate 29kg. The other parts: upper mount 12.6kg, ammunition box holder 4.3kg, ammunition box (fully charged 32 rounds) 20.2kg, tripod 15.0kg and precision aiming device 2.5 kg. HK’s GMG is adopted by military forces of several NATO and allied countries, as well as select U.S. special operations units. HK’s GMG has been used in combat operations throughout Southwest Asia. H&K boasts that their GMG has outperformed competing models in overall durability, ease of use, precision targeting and safety, and as a series production unit it’s available below the purchase cost of competing systems.

Operator’s Keypad Control Unit for controlling all functionality. The keypad includes a laser button, a four-way toggle switch with a push to enter function.

Vingmate FCS–Advanced Sight and Fire Control System

Vingmate is a superior sight and fire control system for crew-served weapons such as 40mm automatic grenade launchers, .50 cal. machineguns and anti-tank weapons. The Vingmate FCS is mounted on soft-mount cradles, assuring top performance. The weapon system can either be mounted on a vehicle or placed on a tripod for dismounted operations. It is deployable in all types of climatic and weather conditions, including snow, desert, mountain and jungle environments, and is also suitable for operations in urban terrain. The Vingmate FCS has been used with a variety of 40mm GMGs, .50 cal. and other heavy machine guns with impressive accuracy and functionality. The FCS gives day/night operations capabilities for direct fire for point targets and improved area suppression and indirect fire. Target acquisition is out to 4500m (detection >7,000m, recognition >2000m, identification >1200). As soon as the operator has ranged onto the target, the fire-control system automatically computes a ballistic solution to the target/Airburst programming for 40mm AGLs. FCS has Battle Management (BMS) interface. The operational benefits are:

• Increased first hit probability eliminates “walk-fire” method of engagement
• Reduced ammo consumption
• Increased mission endurance
• Reduced collateral damage
• Fast target identification and engagement
• Rapid engagement of multiple targets
• Maintain element of surprise
• Utilize air burst ammunition to defeat targets in defilade

Vingmate FCS includes day camera, thermal camera (optional), digital magnetic compass, GPS, laser range finder and laser pointer (optional).

The Vingmate FCS has a built-in NATO standard battery which has sufficient power for 8 hours and an optional power pack of 20 hours. The FCS can take vehicle power from 12 to 36 volts.

40x53mm High Explosive High Velocity ammunition for AGLs against a variety of targets.

Nammo 40x53mm High Velocity

Nammo has the following 40mmx53 HV Airburst programmable grenades that are designed to take out targets in defilade, with a fragment distribution sideways and rearwards.

MK285 PPHE Programmable Pre-fragmented High Explosive Airburst ammunition is specially designed for the MK47 ALGL.

The MK285 round gives excellent fragmentation and provides airburst with pinpoint accuracy.

C171 PPHE-RF Programmable Pre-fragmented Airburst–Radio Frequency ammunition is designed for use in any 40mm AGL weapons. The wireless programming unit is easily adaptable to any fire control system. The C171 round gives excellent fragmentation and provides airburst with pinpoint accuracy. The ammunition is qualified for H&K GMG weapon in service.

MK314 HEDP-AB High Explosive Dual Purpose Airburst is specially designed for the MK47 ALGL. The MK314 round provides airburst with pinpoints accuracy. The HEDP warhead provides fragmentation, penetration and is electronic self-destruct. Qualification tests for the U.S. Navy were completed in June 2012.

HEDP-RF (NM 264) High Explosive Dual Purpose Airburst–Radio Frequency is designed for use in any 40mm AGL weapon. The wireless programming unit is easily adaptable to any fire control system. The HEDP-RF round provides airburst with pinpoints accuracy, fragmentation and penetration with high reliability.

HEDP/HEDP-SD Dual Purpose HV grenade for use on AGLs against a variety of targets [Light Armor/Materiel/Dismounted Infantry]. Available with standard PD or self-destruct fuzes. It’s qualified for use in MK19 and LAG 40 (Spanish GMG). Tested in MK47 and H&K GMG. HEDP round homologated by Spanish MoD.

HE/HE/SD HV High Explosive grenade for anti-personnel/anti-materiel use on AGLs. Available with standard PD or self-destruct fuze. Tested in MK47 and H&K GMG. HE round approved by Spanish MoD.

In addition there are two training ammunitions with tracers and one with tracer and marker function and drill cartridge.

In front, protruding on the right side: the RF transmitter for wireless setting of the variable fuze.

Nammo’s MPU

Manual Programming Unit 40mm RF Airburst ammunition is a low-cost solution that will eliminate the use of expensive fire control systems to program Nammo’s 40mm RF airburst ammunition. The MPU can be mounted on almost any grenade machine gun without significant changes to the weapon and its functionality. By using the MPU, 40mm airburst solutions are within reach without costly investments in complicated and sensitive fire control systems. The battery life lasts 72 hours of normal use. Its weight is 1,195g including battery pack. Operational temperature: -40oC to +63oC.

Programmable–Pre-fragmented Ammunition’s function

Nammo High Explosive Dual Purpose Airburst-Radio Frequency high performance programmable pre-fragmented ammunition has inside the head, an electronic variable time fuze. Airbursting fuze technology ensures that each round detonates at the intended range–even in urban combat environments onto the intended target. The concealed target here is one man inside the van, one outside and one inside the hut. Nammo’s MPU (on the rail) measures the distance, and the fire control system calculates when the detonation is to take place. Immediately when the projectile leaves the muzzle, the fuze is set wirelessly by radio signal and it starts countdown. The accuracy is 1 millisecond resolution, and over target, detonating scattering lethal fragments downward in a 360 ° cone and the size of the cone can be predicted. That knowledge reduces collateral damage.

MK19 Mod 3 [U.S. ORDNANCE] with IntelliOptix’s MGS+ and a 3x flip over magnifier sight.

MK19 Mod 3 [U.S. ORDNANCE].

MK47 MOD 0 (STRIKER40)

Technical characteristics Nammo 40x53mm HV

Technical characteristics Nammo 40x53mm HV

“There will be times in the Army when you will need a weapon you can throw … It is an added weapon to your rifle and bayonet. It is a weapon of the rifle squad.

On the defensive you can use the grenade against an approaching enemy. On the offensive, you can use it for getting rid of the enemy in pillboxes, knocking out gun positions and for close fighting anywhere.

When you are on a combat patrol, you and your detail are on your own. At times you may be entirely alone and in a situation where your grenades may be your most useful weapon. Experience in combat taught us that every man must know when to use and how to throw grenades. You will use it very often in the Army, many times when you are in a tight spot.

Take advantage of the information in this manual. Learn to use the grenade correctly and how to throw it accurately.”

U.S. Army Field Manual 23-30 Hand and Rifle Grenades, April 1949

Over the last several years, US Special Operations Command has bought more than $40 million worth of Nammo Talley’s clever Offensive Hand Grenade HGO 115-3,5 Modular. Now, Big Army may be fielding it as well, as the Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade, at long last filling a decades-old gap since booting the the asbestos-contaminated MK3. Shown here with one, two and three plastic bodied segments, it allows the soldier to tailor the desired blast effect for different targets. “Offensive” hand grenades produce shock effect with minimal fragments for use in closed spaces such as bunkers and buildings, as well as open top trenches. Each HGO 115 module can have its own fuze or up to three can be detonated with a single fuze. Photo Credit: NAMMO TALLEY

This dramatic tribute to the utility and combat effectiveness of an ancient weapon brought into the modern age introduces a comprehensive reference source and guide to practical applications for the American Army’s many types of specialized hand-thrown munitions, developed and refined during World War II.

Then and perhaps more so now, the combat soldier needs grenades of many kinds to deal with all manner of situations. The 2005 edition of Army Field Manual 3-23.30 gives us a quick guide to available types:

“U.S. Forces use colored smoke, white smoke, riot-control, special purpose, fragmentation, offensive, and practice hand grenades. Each has a different capability that provides the soldier with a variety of options to successfully complete any given mission. Historically, the fragmentation grenade has been the most important; the soldier’s personal indirect weapon system. Offensive grenades are much less lethal than fragmentation grenades on an enemy in the open, but they are very effective against an enemy within a confined space. Smoke and special purpose grenades can be used to signal, screen, control crowds or riots, start fires, or destroy equipment. Because the grenade is thrown by hand, the range is short, and the casualty radius is small. The 4 to 5 second delay on the fuze allows the soldier to safely employ the grenade.”

Under development at Picatinny Arsenal’s ARDEC for more than seven years now, the Army’s Enhanced Tactical Multi Purpose (ET-MP) grenade is a high tech hand bomb, allowing warfighters to select either offensive (blast) or defensive (fragmentation) detonation. Just how this mind-boggling bypass of the laws of physics works is absent in official announcements. However, we do get this: “At the flip of a lever, the ET-MP changes from one mode to the other, reducing the need for troops to carry multiple grenades, yet having the one to suit the current situation.” Also, it’s ambidextrous and “not only is the fuze timing completely electronic...detonation timing can now be narrowed down to milliseconds....” No word on the likely cost-per-grenade for these modern marvels but here’s ARDEC’s response to our inquiry on fielding: “Project is on hold pending decisions associated with the Army’s Modernization Priorities.” Photo Credit: US ARMY ARDEC GRAPHIC

“Safely Employ”

Technological advances and the changing nature of warfare over the dozen years since that FM was published have given rise to further specialization and innovation of grenades employed by U.S., allied and adversary forces. Pointedly, the need for safety of throwers of less than optimum strength and sufficient training–while increasing target effects but minimizing “collateral damage” on the bursting end–is being met by scores of firms worldwide.

Among the best of these is the Nammo group, represented in the U.S. by Nammo Talley. Their hand grenade line covers the full spectrum including frags big and little, color smokes (with a white one that’s non-toxic) and a novel approach to offensive tools.

Perhaps mindful of the WWII German trick of wiring a cluster of detached grenade heads around a central stick grenade, the Nammo version stacks up to three, letting the grenadier choose how much bang is just right for the target of the moment. Snake eaters of U.S. Special Operations Command have been enthusiastically using enormous numbers of these for several years now, so they must be good.

For obvious reasons due to its grooved cast iron body, American Doughboys in WWI nicknamed their distinctive Mark I fragmentation grenade the “pineapple.” Much needed improvements in safety, reliability and bursting effectiveness resulted in the Mark II that is almost identical externally but has an explosive filler of flaked TNT replacing various types of gunpowder. The improved MK II was the GI’s standard fragmentation grenade throughout WW2 and most of the Korean War when the M26 was adopted. With staggering numbers of MK IIs available, it remained in US service and with allies long afterward. Pictured here is a MKII display model crafted from a M21 (RFX) body fitted with old style M10 series fuze (note the safety lever “spoon” wraps over the top front of the fuze). Because of the many, many variations in body styles, fuzes and such, grenade enthusiasts are encouraged to consult inert-ord.net

Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

The Army’s weaponry wizards at Picatinny Arsenal have also been on the trail of better hand bombs. Naturally, they’re part of the Big Green Machine’s evaluation team considering adoption of Nammo’s triple stack.

And long needed safety improvements for regular frags are being addressed, among them replacing problematic pull rings with a clever lever that’s southpaw-friendly and detonator-detaching for added safety.

Pushing the perimeter of physics, there’s ARDEC’s Enhanced Tactical Multi-Purpose (ET-MP), with instant selection of frag vs. blast with a twist of the wrist.

Meanwhile over in Sweden, FMV’s “jumping grenade” (Blast Grenade 07) has an initial booster charge that propels it straight up a couple of meters before exploding and sending most of it fragments directly downward. How? The accompanying news release says it “knows up from down” and explodes accordingly.

M67 Fragmentation Grenade

Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, Delay, M67

While all this (and much more we aren’t being told about yet) is going on, the well-respected M67 has soldiered on since 1968 as the standard frag for all the U.S. Armed Forces as well as numerous allies. A pretty good grenade, it brings forward all the best aspects of a long line of metal chunk blasting predecessors. It’s light, small, easy to throw, highly reliable, nastily effective and safer to carry and chuck than just about anything else in widespread use.

Interestingly, most of the rest of America’s current grenade catalog has types that have been around since WWII. But don’t think they’re old-fashioned; these 1940’s era smokers, gassers, burners and others were pretty close to semi-perfection back then and still are today.

An American EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) soldier shows a Soviet-type F1 fragmentation grenade. Photo Credit: US ARMY

Soviet F1 Limonka

Not exactly a direct counterpart to the M67 but far more widespread in use today is the old Soviet Union’s F1. It’s the AK-47 of frags, made in untold tens of millions since 1941 and found in just about every corner of the world. Immediately dubbed Limonka (lemon, for obvious reasons) by Red Army grunts in the “Great Patriotic War” against Hitler, its 60 grams of TNT blasts big chunks of cast iron in erratic patterns. While replaced in Russian service by the RG series, it’s still in daily production and used elsewhere.

May 2016, Hurlburt Field, Florida. An M18 smoke grenade sends out a thick green cloud, marking the landing zone for free-fall parachute jumpers of 24th Special Operations Wing during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2016. M18 series chemical grenades come in red, yellow, green, and violet colors, with an average burn time of 60 seconds. Other chemical grenades put out white screening smoke, with the AN-M8 HC (hexachloroethane) burning about two minutes for enhanced effectiveness. The variety of colors allow specific identification between ground to ground and ground to air elements. Photo Credit: USAF

Blast from the Past (Some Hand Grenade History)

Historians tell us that hand bombs in various forms have been in use since 700 AD when napalm-like “Greek Fire” in breakable clay pots was tossed from wooden ship to ship. Gunpowder grenades almost certainly originated with those innovative Chinese of the Song Dynasty some 300 years later.

It took four more centuries before the first cast iron Grenatos (name derived from the look-alike pomegranate fruit) were reportedly used in disturbingly common European conflicts, mostly tossed into or out of stone castles.

Grenading proceeded by fits and starts for another four centuries when siege and trench warfare of the American War Between the States inspired some rather novel inventions. The Yankee Army’s novel Ketchum Grenade is perhaps best known of these due to its distinctive appearance; sort of a 19th Century lawn dart of gunpowder-filled cast iron with a wood stick tail and cardboard fins.

Reportedly dangerous to throwers and frustratingly unreliable, it had to be carefully armed, carried and tossed into an enemy trench. With amazing luck it would hit nose first, firing a percussion cap and detonating among the unlucky Confederate troops.

Grenades got better over the next 50 years of sporadic warfare, but it wasn’t until WWI that they really got the engineering attention needed to make them relatively reliable, effective and somewhat safe. The Yugoslavs made their first fuzes in 1890s, perfected in the 1912 model. By 1915, all of the major combatants had developed damn good ones including Germany’s iconic stick grenade, Britain’s Mills Bomb, France’s F1 and America’s Mark 1.

NAMMO of Norway and its US operation Nammo Talley are well known for leading edge developments in munitions. The hand grenades seen here have been enthusiastically adopted by numerous countries. (Front row left to right) The pre-fragmented, steel bodied Fragmentation Hand Grenade HGF 165-3,5 packed with 165 grams of Composition B explosive and the smaller HGF 60 with 60 grams, along with their blue-painted training counterparts. Lined up on the back row are plastic bodied “offensive” grenades that depend on powerful explosive/concussive effects with minimal flying fragments. Third from left is the modular HGO 115-3,5 with two screw-together segments, each filled with 115 grams (1/4 pound) of Comp B. Photo Credit: NAMMO TALLEY

[Editor’s Note: Not to overlook how the rapid development at this time of rifle-launched grenades increased their employment range, but we’re concentrating here on the ones heaved by hand]

Inevitably, the “War to End All War” didn’t, and when it all started up again around 1940, another burst of hand bomb innovation occurred. Among countless notables, the Germans had the improved Model 24 Sheilhandgranate, fitted when needed with a slip-on fragmentation sleeve, and the Brits issued a glue-globbed “sticky grenade” for anti-tank purposes.

American Soldiers and Marines made do quite well with the old “pineapple”—now the improved MKII—as did Brit Tommies with Mills Bombs, Frenchmen and Russkis with their respective F1s. Japanese troops smacked Type 91 and 97 frags against their helmets to ignite the fuze train.

Back for a moment to anti-tank grenades, those carrying newly developed, shaped charge warheads are only truly effective when delivered straight-on to armor plate. Accordingly, the Germans put Ketchum-like pop-out fins on the handle of their Panzerwurfmine so it would more likely hit nose first on a tank’s turret top or engine deck. The Red Army quickly adapted this tail dragger concept in the RPG-43 and then the postwar RKG-3 with its drogue parachute.

Hand grenades figured prominently in award of the Medal of Honor to Army Sergeant Candelario Garcia for heroic actions in the Vietnam War. Most likely the grenades he employed were M26 series frags; safe, reliable and devilishly effective against enemy in bunkers and out in the open. Photo Credit: US ARMY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Candelario Garcia, GI Grenadier
(Army Office of Public Affairs 2014 News release)

Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Candelario Garcia distinguished himself on Dec. 8, 1968, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division as a team leader during a company-size reconnaissance-in-force mission near Lai Khe, Vietnam.

Garcia’s platoon discovered communication wire and other signs of an enemy base camp leading into a densely vegetated area. As they advanced they came under intense fire, causing several men to be wounded and trapped in the open.

Ignoring a hail of hostile bullets, Garcia crawled to within 10 meters of a machine-gun bunker, leaped to his feet and ran directly at the fortification, firing his rifle as he charged. He jammed two hand grenades into the gun port and then placed the muzzle of his weapons inside, killing all four occupants.

Continuing to expose himself to intense enemy fire, Garcia raced 15 meters to another bunker and killed its three defenders with hand grenades and rifle fire. After again braving the communists’ barrage to rescue two casualties, he joined his company in an assault, which overran the remaining enemy positions.

While crude, burning fuze “hand bombs” had been used with varying effectiveness for several centuries, the advent of extensive trench warfare in World War I demanded development of better grenades. Most critical was the need for more reliable means of igniting them in all weather conditions, as well as safety for the unfortunate soldiers who were compelled to use them. This rush to technological innovation resulted in a variety of designs by all the major combatants. Some interesting examples of Austrian and German grenades are seen here in a museum display. Perhaps most notable is #14, the German Model 17 Stielhandgranate (stick hand grenade), an iconic design understandably nicknamed “potato masher.” An indispensable weapon for trench clearing, its black silhouette was the distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia of elite German Stosstruppen (shock troops). Photo Credit: NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The American Lemon

Most likely the grenades Sergeant Garcia used to such devastating effect were M26/M61s, nicknamed “lemon frags” for their obvious shape. By no means a lemon in reliability and performance, the M26 series was far better in every way than the old MKII “pineapples” they replaced.

The hand grenades of today are not all that different from those of centuries past as evidenced by these three clay pot grenades from Europe in the Middle Ages, on display in the Oberhausmuseum, Passau, Germany. Filled with black powder and set off by a crude burning fuze, they were useful in close combat engagements. They were undoubtedly based on similar ones developed in 12th Century China, birthplace of gunpowder, cannon and muskets. Photo Credit: WOLFGANG SAUBER (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Recent Recruit Quality

Ace military reporter Matthew Cox’s February 2018 feature on Military.com set off a metaphorical flash-bang grenade by quoting remarks by Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost, newly installed commanding general of the U.S. Army Center of Initial Military Training. Speaking to Cox and other reporters about his command’s desperately needed overhaul of Basic Combat Training, Frost noted plans to remedy systemic problems with too many BCT graduates who were self-centered, undisciplined, sloppy and not physically fit.

Aside from lamenting the inevitable and obvious results of the Obama presidency’s punitive social engineering demands on the military, what’s relevant to this feature relates to lowering previous standards of competence with grenades as a graduation requirement.

“We are finding that there are a large number of trainees that come in that quite frankly just physically don’t have the capacity to throw a hand grenade 20 to 25 to 30 meters,” Frost noted. “In 10 weeks, we are on a 48-hour period; you are just not going to be able to teach someone how to throw if they haven’t thrown growing up.”

August 2006, Lebanon. Grenades of various types – including a long tailed RPG rocket – were among weapons and munitions seized from Hezbollah forces by Israeli Defense Forces in the southeastern part of Lebanon. Note the black taped Soviet type F1 Limonka at bottom left and what looks to be a US M26A1/M61 bottom right, also black taped for added safety. Photo Credit: ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES PHOTO

So, instead of lengthening the BCT cycle for increased emphasis on soldier pride, discipline and physical fitness, grenade training will be sharply shortened to make room.

But Frost, with skills honed from his previous assignment as Chief of Army Public Affairs, was quick to try reassuring observers; most notably currently serving combat arms soldiers and already cynical veterans. “They are going to learn all the technical aspects of the hand grenade, and they are going to learn tactical employment and they will throw a live hand grenade,” he said.

Meanwhile, Big Army must continue the hunt for hand grenades that even the weakest would-be soldiers can throw safely and–with some luck–effectively without killing their fellow soldiers. Perhaps Arges of Austria’s 5.8 ounce HG80 mini frag or Nammo’s 6.7 ounce HGF 60? Probably in stylish colors if requested.

Grenades of Various Types

Handy Hand Grenade References

This necessarily brief photo feature is intended as a way to stimulate an appetite for more research on the world’s fascinating array of hand-delivered munitions. As such, we offer some for starters:

Grenades overview online
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenade

Grenades (and just about all other explosive ordnance)
ordata.info

The Hand Grenade by Gordon Rottman,
Osprey, 2015

U.S. Army Field Manual 3-23.30 Grenades
web.archive.org/web/20141222014846/http://www.umass.edu/armyrotc/Training/grenades.pdf

Video: “Grenades Throughout History”
youtube.com/watch?v=sX53cEuQLZw

Best overall for vintage grenade collectors
inert-ord.net

Grenade Replicas
inertproducts.com/grenades
relics.org.uk/grenades

In his dramatic 1940 painting Kampf in Warschau, noted WWII German propaganda artist Wilhelm “Elk” Eber depicts a steely eyed officer awkwardly holding a P08 Luger pistol while fumbling to pull the friction igniter string on a Stielhandgranate 24. Right behind him, a rifleman is ready to pass another from the trio handily stuck in his belt. An improved version of the Great War classic, the Mod. 24 was the German Army’s standard but supplemented by other types including an egg-shaped one with no handle. The 24 depends on blast effect but is readily converted to fragmentation type by slipping on a serrated steel sleeve. Photo Credit: GALLERIA THULE-ITALIA (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Photographed during Operation Wheeler, Sept- Nov 1967 in South Vietnam, this squad leader of 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division carries the basic combat load of four M26 series frags somewhat securely in quick release loops on the sides of his canvas M1956 magazine pouches holding 20 rounders for his M16 rifle. The dot-fastened loops wrap around the fuze assembly, safety pin and lever to protect against accidental detonation from vegetation snags. The M26 and M61 ‘lemon frags’ have stamped sheet metal bodies, lined inside with a notched steel coil. Weighing 16 ounces and filled with 164 grams ( 5.75 ounces) of powerful Composition B explosive, it blasts a blizzard of uniformly sized splinters to a killing radius of 15 meters or more. Note also the “new squad radio” on his right side suspender. Photo Credit: US ARMY MHI, AUTHOR’S COLLECTION

In the course of World War II the German Reich supported its allies with weapons, ammunition and equipment of various types. Most of these weapons were put into service unchanged or with only slight modifications. Among these, there were also a total of 70,879 complete sets of Gewehrgranatgeräte (rifle grenade launchers). It cannot be established exactly to which countries these launchers had been delivered, but three allies–Finland, Italy and Japan– not only issued them to their troops, they even copied them.

At the time of Japan’s attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the bolt-action rifle Arisaka Meiji 38 in caliber 6.5mm (introduced in 1905) was the standard weapon of the Japanese infantrymen. But it was already hopelessly out of date, and the ammunition no longer met the requirements. A lot of experimental work was done with various calibers and types of ammunition, and the result of this research, the bolt-action rifle M.99 in caliber 7.7mm, was officially introduced in 1939.

The cluster bomb, developed on the basis of the hollow-charge anti-tank rifle grenade, was dropped from containers with a capacity of 30 respectively 72 bombs.

In the same year a rifle grenade cup launcher called “Type 100” was adopted by the Army. Depending on the weapon, high-explosive grenades could be fired at distances between 75m and 100m. To avoid the introduction of a special propelling cartridge, the Japanese were looking for a way to launch grenades by use of standard combat cartridges. Thus, the model 100 was made of a kind of barrel extension with an overlying launcher cup. As soon as the bullet passes a gas port in the barrel extension, the gas pressure escapes into the cup and pushes the grenade out. An adjustment screw at the gas port could be used to vary the firing range. Although this system saved another type of ammunition, it was cumbersome in field use. Before fixing the launching cup, the bayonet had to be put on the rifle to give a firm hold to the launcher.

One main problem that arose when the Japanese met the first enemy tanks was the lack of effective ammunition to cope with them. The heavy Type 97 20-mm anti-tank rifle was no longer effective against modern tank armor, and the army did not have any armor-piercing rifle grenades. The development of hollow-charge ammunition was still in its infancy. Early attempts of the Navy with a hollow-charge warhead for torpedoes in the mid-1930s have aroused only little interest and were ignored by the Army.

As part of the mutual exchange of arms technology, in 1942 two German Heereswaffenamt officers were preparing a top secret mission: by direct order of Adolf Hitler, Colonel Paul Niemöller (graduated Dipl.-Ing chemist) and Major Walter Merkel should bring records and patterns of hollow-charge ammunition to Japan. Both men were part of the department Wa.Prüf.1 (ballistic and ammunition department) and were, according to U.S. interrogation records from the period of detention in Japan, already involved in the development of rifle grenades in Germany.

The hollow-charge anti-tank grenade could penetrate 40mm to 80mm or amour steel.

Not much was yet known about this secret mission, but the author has succeeded via long-time recherche in getting in contact with surviving descendants of both men. Unfortunately Colonel Niemöller’s family lost all their belongings during the bombing raids on Berlin, so that only the surviving seaman’s book provides an interesting insight into the secret operations. The descendants of Major Merkel are living in the U.S. today.

The Secret Mission

For reasons of secrecy, both officers were traveling at different times on different ships from Bordeaux in France to Yokohama in Japan. Colonel Niemöller embarked as a paymaster on the blockade runner and auxiliary cruiser “Tannenfels” that left the French harbor on 2 March 1942. Among other things the ship was loaded with machine parts, chemicals and ammunition and fuel to supply the three German auxiliary cruisers “Thor,” “Michel” and “Stier” on the high seas.

Soon after its departure the vessel was detected by a British reconnaissance aircraft. Captain Werner Hase ignored the explicit order of the Navy control center to abort the mission and continued the journey. Fortunately no attack took place. But in the wideness of the Atlantic there would have almost been a catastrophe: for unknown reasons, the stored chemicals in the cargo hold number 2 caught fire. The crew narrowly managed to extinguish the fire before it could spread to the hundreds of drums filled with ether and chloroform in the adjacent cargo hold. The war diary of the Navy later describes the fateful day as follows: “According to a message received from Tokyo, some days after departure from Bordeaux two large fires occurred on the ship and caused a desperate plight. For a while the captain considered the situation as hopeless. With full engagement of officers and crew the attempts to suppress the fire finally succeeded. The captain refers to sabotage as the cause for the fires. […] On board was Colonel Niemöller with an important arms-specific delivery, which was to be handed over to the Japanese Army on order of the Führer.”

Japanese 40mm hollow-charge anti-tank grenade. The Germans later used stems made of Bakelite, but the Japanese never used that material for this purpose.

As if that has not been enough, the ship was caught in a heavy storm in the South Atlantic causing severe damage to the ship’s body and some leaks in the hull. Seriously affected, the “Tannenfels” reached the harbor or Yokohama on 12 May 1942. Eventually Colonel Niemöller was back on firm ground–and was promptly arrested by the harbor police. The reason for this is not clear, and after a few hours he was allowed to leave.

A week later, on 19 May the Japanese Chief of the General Staff Colonel General Sugiyama held a welcome breakfast for Colonel Niemöller. Both Sugiyama and the Vice-Minister of War, Lieutenant General Kimura, thanked Hitler in a letter for sending an “officer on [a] difficult path with valuable material.” In the following time, Colonel Niemöller inter alia met Colonel Kobayashi, an expert on explosives of the Army arsenal No. 2 in Tokyo. Niemöller worked with both the Army and Navy. He was supported by a group of 30 German engineers and chemists who were already in the country and had worked for Japanese companies before the war.

Six weeks after Niemöller’s arrival Major Merkel also reached Yokohama. He had left Bordeaux on 12 December 1942 aboard the blockade runner “Regensburg”. The ship met with the “Dresden” on the high seas, and Merkel changed the vehicle. He arrived in Japan without any incident. The war diary of the Navy says: “Etappen-V Schiff (section support ship) Dresden met on the way from western France to Japan on 31 May 1942 with the Etappen-V Schiff Regensburg and passed over 200 cubic meters of diesel oil from its own storage to the Regensburg. Dresden was then released for Japan and arrived at Yokohama on 22 June 1942 after a successful blockade run. On board was Major Merkel with a second copy of the records that were already brought to Japan by Colonel Niemöller on the Etappen-V Schiff Tannenfels.” The official cargo list of the “Dresden” does not mention any unusual freight.

Disassembled Japanese grenade. The copy was very similarto the German pattern. The stem contains the ignition charge, the percussion fuse and is closed by a base plate.

There was enough to do in Japan. As written in secret reports about the Japanese industry, the German Reich was years ahead in all respects (what a contrast to today). On 11 December 1942 Niemöller sent a telegram to the Army General Staff: “Attempting […] to get something in return. I have doubts because there is little new. I think, as well as the military attaché, that we must be the donor and remain in this role. Strong support of the Japanese is necessary, since they are little inventive on their own. […] The visited companies show little achievement by high labour input. Remarkable is the lack of organizational and inventive talented people.”

Soon after Niemöller’s arrival, the Japanese busily began researching the hollow-charge anti-tank grenades (Gewehr-Panzergranate and Große Gewehr-Panzergranate). An extensive test program was initiated in June 1942 and already in July the first firing test with grenades from their own production was carried out. The German rifle grenade launcher was examined and modified (project “Tate”) and just a month later the production of Japan’s own model started. It was officially introduced as “ni shiki tekidanki” (Type 2). The earliest known launcher is dated August 1942 and was captured by the Americans on 15 October on the Solomon Islands. Also the first grenades from their own mass production were delivered to front troops in August 1942.

Markings on the base plate of the grenade, made by the Army Arsenal No. 1 in Tokyo.

The Rifle Grenade Launcher

In comparing the German rifle grenade launcher with its Japanese copy, the first thing to mention is the much shorter launcher tube. It is just long enough to keep the stem of the Japanese rifle grenade. The distance on which the grenade is forced to rotate is not shorter than on the German standard launcher tube, but even a little longer: The rifling of the tube reaches to the muzzle, while on the German model the last 5mm are smooth.

During the entire production, the Japanese used the same fine thread on the launcher tube, as it was used on the early German model that had been shipped to Japan. The clamp-mount is almost equal to the German model, only the clamps have a different shape corresponding to the Japanese service rifles. Inside the clamps the same mysterious spiral millings as on the early German launchers are present.

Although many Japanese rifle grenade launchers had been captured by the U.S. forces and these devices are also described in the American intelligence reports, it is not known what the launcher sight looked like. If it is mentioned at all, it is usually written that the Japanese sight is probably a copy of the German one, but none had been captured so far. Also in all the Japanese regulations and documents, no sight is described. This fact leads to the conclusion that the Japanese did not use a sight for rifle grenade firing, but aimed on the target by means of auxiliary points on the rifle’s standard rear sight–just as the German soldiers often did, since the launcher sight proved to be very weak in field use.

The officially issued accessories were a canvas carrying bag for 10 grenades with propelling cartridges, a handy wrench and a small canvas pouch for the rifle grenade launcher.

The markings in the first line mean “Type 2 rifle grenade launcher.” The line below shows the symbol of the Nagoya-arsenal and the Japanese year of manufacture “53” (that is 1943).

The Ammunition

For the rifle grenade launcher Type 2 there were only two anti-tank grenades, namely copies of the German early Gewehr-Panzergranate and the advanced Große Gewehr-Panzergranate. Their official Japanese designation translated means “30mm (or 40mm) Type 2 hollow charge rifle grenade.” High-explosive grenades or other types like flare or smoke were not developed.

The design of the rifle grenades corresponds to the German models with some slight variations. It is noteworthy that for the stems only aluminum was used and not Bakelite or other less scarce materials. The base screws have the same cross recess (Phillips) as it was only used on the very early German anti-tank grenades. The grenades were manufactured by two companies: Osaka Army Arsenal and Tokyo Army Arsenal No.1. The explosives for both manufacturers came from the Iju plant of the Tokyo Army Arsenal No. 2.

In order to achieve the best possible precision, all grenades were marked with a stamp consisting of plus and minus signs referring to over- or underweight so the shooter could bear it in mind when aiming on the target. The grenades were packed in simple metal tubes, sealed with cardboard discs.

American reports give data for the 40mm grenade (see chart).

Details of the grenades’ performances can be found in the report “Firing Tests of Japanese Anti-tank Weapons” dated April 1944. During test firing at an M3 Stuart tank the 40mm grenade smoothly penetrated even the 31.8mm thick armor of the turret. When shooting on several armor plates, multi-layered welded together, the grenades penetrated 40mm to 63.5mm. The 30mm grenade proved to be totally inadequate and was not tested any further.

Japanese rifle grenade launcher “ni shiki tekidanki” (Type 2) with opened clamp-mount. Note the large cut-out for the front sight of the Japanese rifles.

Development of a Cluster Bomb

Impressed by the performance of the 40mm hollow-charge grenade, the Japanese used it as a basis for developing a cluster bomb in 1942. There were two different sized containers, a small one for 30 and a large one for 72 cluster bombs. They should make anti-tank fighting from the air more successful, especially as most armored vehicles are less armored on their top side.

The bomb is composed of the body of a standard 40mm grenade, an elongated stem with a 3-fin tail and a sheet metal base plate acting as an air brake. At the height of the tail there is an air wheel attached to the side, which turns out in free fall and unlocks the fuse housed in the stem.

The manufactured bombs differed in some details during the production time. Different lengths of the hollow charge liner are known, from very short to reaching through almost the entire grenade body. Also the air brake metal disk was sometimes replaced by thin struts. On later made bombs the air wheel was put on a 3mm longer axle for a better position in the air stream. No records about the success of the cluster bombs in combat have been found.

On the basis of the rifle grenades it was also experimented with larger grenades in calibers from 57mm to 200mm. By Niemöller’s activity some blueprints of the German Panzerfaust and a wire-guided hollow-charge missile reached Japan. From the latter, the Japanese developed the large hollow-charge bombs “Sakura I” and “Sakura II” (Operation Cherry Blossom) before the war ended. They were to be used in kamikaze missions to sink enemy ships.

After the war, the two German officers were arrested in Tokyo by the Americans and interrogated. After a short time Colonel Niemöller was allowed to leave for Germany. Major Merkel lived in Paris before he returned to Germany in 1963.

The blockade runner and tender “Tannenfels” brought Colonel Niemöller on an adventurous way to Japan. The ship was later sunk on 12 December 1942 in the harbor of Bordeaux by magnetic mines attached to its hull by British frogmen.

Major Walter Merkel was awarded several medals, including the Blockade Runner badge, the War Merit Cross with swords second class and the Japanese Medal of the Rising Sun 4th class.

40MM Grenade Data

Shortly after the end of World War II, the aims of the former allies in the fight against the German Reich came to light. The political interests of Russia differed significantly from the ideas of the Western nations. To be prepared for future conflicts, 12 states joined together on April 4, 1949, and established NATO. The freedom and security of the members would be guaranteed through deterrence, military buildup and permanent preparedness.

The post-war German Army, now called Bundeswehr, received their initial supply of weapons, vehicles and equipment mainly from U.S. stocks. These included, among other rifles, M1 Garand, M1 and M2 carbines, Thompson M1A1 submachine guns, M1918 BAR & M1919 machine guns and bazookas. In July of 1956, with the transfer of 9,572 border police officials to Bundeswehr, numerous weapons and equipment of the former Wehrmacht were added to the stock—for example, about 9,000 Karabiner 98k and more than 900 MG42 machine guns. The Italian submachine gun—Moschetto Automatico Beretta modello 38/49—once manufactured under German occupation, was now officially introduced as the MP1.

In the face of the strong armored forces of the Warsaw Pact countries, it was necessary to build up an effective anti-tank defense. In addition to light rocket launchers such as the bazooka, the infantrymen were again equipped with rifle grenades.

The M7A3 rifle grenade launcher was put in German service without any modifications. The hinged clamp locks the launcher behind the bayonet lug of the rifle M1.

1. The Rifle Grenade EX DM 10

For practice purposes with the U.S. rifle caliber 30 M1—as the M1 Garand was officially named—the rifle grenade EX DM 10 was used. “DM” means Deutsches Modell (German model) and corresponds to the U.S. M11A4 practice rifle grenade. Launched and undamaged grenades could be reused; when unscrewing the shaft a damaged stabilisator part could be removed by pulling it forward and being replaced by a new one. The EX DM 10 was launched from the U.S. M7A3 rifle grenade launcher. A hinged clamp locked the launcher behind the bayonet lug of the M1 rifle. Then a collapsible sheet metal sight had to be placed onto the rifle grenade launcher and a small spring-clip at the front end of the launcher tube held the grenade in place by friction.

Rifle grenade launcher for the FN-Gewehr (G 1) with carrying pouch made of leather.

2. THE ANTI-TANK RIFLE GRENADE ENERGA (DM 12)

The first introduced hollow-charge rifle grenade was the Panzerabwehr gewehrgranate 75mm (Bris) Energa Modell 1957 (anti-tank rifle grenade), developed and manufactured by the Belgian company Mecar. It could be launched from the Karabiner 98k as well as the G1 (FN rifle) by means of a spigot-type rifle grenade launcher and a launching cartridge. The sighting device was an adjustable sheet-metal sight fixed to the stabilizer fins. A clamp integrated in the sight holds the launching cartridge during transport. The first service regulation was issued on August 12, 1958.

An improved Modell 1958 of the Energa had an aluminum sleeve inserted into the tail section and therefore could be fired from the G1 rifle without using a rifle grenade launcher. The grenade was just slid onto the flash hider.

The grenade body is made of light metal and houses the explosive charge. The charge is hollowed conically and lined with a sheet of copper. The tail section made of tubular steel is screwed into the grenade body. Two different types of stabilizer fins were used—the early ones were made of solid metal while the later ones were made of plastic and additionally protected by a plastic fin-ring. The later grenades also had a tail that was closed by a special plug, holding both the sight and the launching cartridge inside the tail section during transport, therefore preventing them from getting lost.

German provisional instruction sheet for handling the American M7A3 rifle grenade launcher.

The anti-tank rifle grenade is armed with a sensitive impact fuse on its top, which causes a rapid detonation. The fuse came either screwed onto the grenade and protected by a removable plastic cover or packaged separately from the grenade in a plastic bag. It was constructed that way so that it still worked perfectly, even at a small angle of incidence of about 25 degrees.

The launching cartridge is made of brass and filled with 2.2 grams (later 2.35 grams) of NC flake powder. It is fitted with a primer containing a special “corrosion-preventing” charge. The top of the cartridge is crimped and sealed with wax.

Label and color repeatedly changed over time. For example, after the renaming of the grenade in Gewehrgranate Hohlladung DM 12, it got the new inscription 75 GGR DM12 HEAT. The training grenade was also assigned a DM-number and it was painted blue as was usual for training ammunition. Its inscription was now 75 GGR DM 18 ÜB (ÜB=Übung, meaning training).

The rifle grenade EX DM 10 corresponds to the U.S. M11A4 practice rifle grenade. This one with the code HO was manufactured by the company Hoffmann from Ratingen, Germany.

The Rifle Grenade Launcher for the Karabiner 98k

The rifle grenade launcher is pushed onto the barrel from the front. A recess fits over the front sight base while a fork-shaped projection at the rear-end slides over the bayonet lug. With two clamps, tightened by wing screws, the launcher is fastened to the barrel of the carbine. The launcher tube has a bore diameter of 10 millimeters. So when shooting service ammunition with bullets, the rifle grenade launcher can remain on the weapon. The launcher does not fit on carbines equipped with a front sight hood. The annular grooves at the exterior side of the launcher tube should take debris, thus reducing the frictional resistance of the grenade.

The collapsible sheet metal sight is permanently fixed to the launcher body by two pivots. The shooter has to aim at the target via one of the crossbars of the sight to the head of the grenade.

A special brush was used for cleaning the launcher tube before and after shooting. During transport, the brush had to be stored inside the tube, and was only put in the carrying pouch as long as the launcher was attached to the rifle.

While the soldier is still shooting with the wartime Karabiner 98k, its successor can be seen standing on the ground: The G1 (Gewehr 1).

The Rifle Grenade Launcher for the Gewehr G1 (FN-Gewehr)

The rifle grenade launcher consists of a light metal tube that is pushed over the flash hider of the FN rifle from the front. It is fixed by means of a locking lever placed at its rectangular-shaped rear end. Annular grooves at the exterior side of the launcher tube should take debris to reduce the frictional resistance of the grenade. The launcher tube has a bore diameter of 10 millimeters. When shooting service ammunition with bullets, the rifle grenade launcher can remain on the weapon. The collapsible sheet metal sight is permanently fixed to the launcher body by two pivots. The distance markings for 25, 50, 75 and 100 meters are stamped in the metal and filled with white color.

A retaining spring holds the grenade in its place so that in certain cases it also can be shot downwards without sliding off the launcher.

The gas-operated FN rifle is fitted with a gas regulator located at the front end of the gas cylinder below the front sight base. Before launching a grenade, the gas port has to be blocked by turning the regulator clockwise (in the direction of the rifle). In this position, the letter “A” plus the milled notch in the front side of the regulator will point downwards to the barrel. Additionally the letters “Gr” will point upwards to the front sight (only present on C-series FN rifles). An incorrect position of the regulator will cause short shots, because a part of the gas pressure is diverted from the barrel into the gas cylinder instead of propelling the grenade.

The Energa was packed in cardboard tubes. Below it, three variations of the training grenade are pictured.

3. THE ANTI-TANK RIFLE GRENADE HISPANO (DM 22)

After the introduction of the new G3 rifle as the standard assault rifle of the Bundeswehr in 1959, the German company Diehl from Nuremburg began the development work on a successor for the Energa rifle grenade. The first live-firing tests of the Hispano grenade were carried out in 1964. Instead of using a usual impact fuse, new paths were gone. The grenade body consists of two metal “contact jackets” (Kontakt hauben) one above the other. On impact, the outer jacket will be dented until touching the inner jacket, thus closing an electric circuit and setting off the grenade. Accidents can happen if a damaged and already dented grenade is fired. But, even standard training is not harmless—the hard recoil consistently causes injuries from bruises to broken thumbs if the rifle is not held correctly. A target of 300 millimeters of armor can be penetrated by a rectangular angle of impact.

When introduced in the Bundeswehr, the grenade was named GGR DM 22 HEAT and the training grenade ÜBGGR DM 28 ÜB. Sometimes training grenades were modified by armorers to EX-grenades by drilling holes in the rubber body and painting them green. These grenades were only used for preliminary practicing.

The flip-up sight is factory-fixed to the grenade by spring-wire, but it can be easily replaced if damaged.

Packaging of the Hispano: Two Styrofoam halves enclosing the grenade are inserted in a waterproof-wrapped metal container. Here a DM 28 training grenade made of hard rubber is shown.

Original cut-away model of the Hispano made by Diehl. Note the grenade body constructed of two “contact-jackets.”

Close-up photo of the point where the front- and rear-body halves are connected. A ring of transparent insulation avoids a contact of both metal jackets.

Weight of Grenade Launchers

Technical Data of the Energa Models