German eierhangranante ml 1917

[sommetraveller]

GERMAN EIERHANGRANANTE ML 1917
As the war progressed there was a need for a smaller grenade,
than was available at the time , the standard grenades of the time , the kugel and the Stielhandgranate were heavy and cumbersome to use,
there are 3 known varients , of the ww 1 egg grenade and they are listed in detail below.

the answer was the Eierhandgranate Ml 1917 Development started in late 1916 which lead to the introduction of the cast iron "Egg" grenade, Mle.1917
in early 1917,
seen in image 1 it was originally filled with black powder, and it was found the average soldier could throw it at least 40 metres ,
the idea was you could put them in uniform breast pockets etc. , in greater numbers than the aforesaid larger grenades of that time
the first variant was a smooth bodied one, image 1 ,
But it was found that it was difficult to grip with wet and or muddy hands or gloves,
the next variant the MLE 1917/ Na, had a raised centre segmented ring for grip/ fragmentation,
image 2
next came the Ml1917 Na / var image 3,
this one had a noticeably thicker segmentation ring,
there is no known designation for this one , but it appears to be more than a manufacturing variation ,
images 4 and 5 show the thickness of the rings , image 4 is the 1st variation ring, quite slim in thickness,
image 5 is the second variation and shows the noticeably thicker segments,
the egg grenade was fitted with various fuses in its lifetime in ww1
image 6 shows the various known types,
image 7 is I think a period done sectioned one , apparently from what ive read it was common ,
for these to be put in with the other grenades ,
as instructional ones to aid with the fusing prior to use,
image 8 is an image made up of sectionalised ones showing the make up of the grenades and fuses,
image 9 shows the sectioned one with the drawings behind it
image 10 shows the 3rd variation with a partially dismantled fuse in front,
image 11 shows the known 3 varients with the right period fuses (inert) in them
I SHOULD MENTION ! THAT !! "ALL GRENADES AND FUSES SHOWN HERE !ARE TOTALLY INNERT ! AND SAFE AND LEGAL TO HAVE!"

[Ian Hayes]

Nice post with pictures and information. Thanks for sharing with us, Ian.