Egg grenade with M17 fuze

Stahlhelm

Stahlhelm

Active member
I found this grenade at a Toronto area show over half a year ago. I've owned a few Eierhandgranaten, but these always had the commonly seen M13 or M15 friction fuzes with pull wire.

The grenade looks to be complete with its cap, model 1917 5 second friction fuze, cord lanyard and ball. The black leather washer has survived as well.
100_1067.jpg


The grenade is a variation with a deeper serrated ring than the standard model.
100_1043.jpg



Cap with maker code and 5 second fuze marking
100_1062.jpg
 
Maker mark on the bottom of the grenade.
100_1046.jpg


Here's the grenade with the cap removed showing the ball and pull cord.
100_1047.jpg


The grenade disassembled.
100_1048.jpg
 
I was hoping someone would have more information on this model of grenade (fuze and variation segmented ring). The tactical use of these grenades is an interesting topic in itself.

100_1045.jpg
 
Hey Hans,
A very nice example of the Eiergrenat. This type of fuse is not easy to find, and in such good condition. The Eiergrenaten were made to be easier to throw and carry. It is possible to have a dozen or so of these grenades in one's pocket with out being burdened, but to carry two or three of the Kugelgrenaten is a bit inconvienient. They are also easier to throw a greater distance due to the smaller size. It is my understanding that the reason the later Eiergrenaten had the segmented ring, was to make them easier to grasp while they were wet or muddy..
Best wishes
Gus
 
I also read once (no idea where) that the round grenades had the advantage of rolling on the ground. This would allow them to drop into holes and trenches more easily if you threw a bit short and with a flat trajectory.
 
Thank you all for your replies. From what I've read so far in books and online, the segmented ring was added in 1916 or thereabouts mainly to prevent it slipping from the thrower's hand. The larger segment variation on this grenade is apparently undocumented in period German literature as a distinct model. For those of you who own stick grenades - is the fuze similar in design to the one on this grenade?

The dealer selling this grenade at the Etobicoke show earlier this year never had a chance to put the grenade on the table. I claimed it before I even asked him what he wanted for it. I've seen a few Egg grenades in as good a condition, but had never seen one with the model 1917 fuze up until finding this one.

As for the tactical use of grenades, I'm in the process of translating a facinating book written by two Generals and published in July 1918 (25th edition). The book contains very in-depth summaries compiled by frontline Officers on tactics, some as early as 1915, both offensive and defensive, ranging from a squad rolling up trenches to larger scale operations involving Battalions.
Although this has been written about previously, the book does make clear that the German philosophy (especially after Verdun) generally had it that grenades, mortars and artillery were more effective in keeping the enemy's heads down, for example during an assault (thus preventing a coordinated defence, resupply and bringing up reinforcements by the enemy) than being used to pound the enemy into submission or killing the majority outright, which was usually the method used by other Armies.
A number of chapters on Stosstrupp tactics differentiate between the roles and designation of those grenadiers armed with Eierhandgranaten and Stielhandgranaten.
 
Hey Hans,
Here is an example of the stink common 1916 Eierhandgranate with the standard fuse, as can be seen, this example is not nearly as good condition as the wire pull is rusted off. The size of this grenade is about 1 3/4 inches in diameter (45 mm) and it is about 2 1/4 inches long (55 mm) with out the fuse
flying003uv0.jpg


To expand an another great thread, here is an example of the 1913 Kugelhandgranate, it too is lacking the wire pull (it fell out, and behind a book case) This grenade is about 3 inches in diameter (70 mm)
flying002zb3.jpg


And here we have an example of the 1915 Kugelhandgranate, it is the same size as the 1913 model, but has a less defined segmentation of the body.
flying001od2.jpg


Best wishes
Gus
 
Thanks for the pictures of the Kugel grenades Gustav. I once read that the M13 and M15 fuzes with the wire pull on the Kugel grenades were hard to ignite by hand, and a hook on the belt (or on the Grabenpanzer) was needed. It was also mentioned that once the wire was pulled, these fuzes would shoot out a small flame which could burn the thrower.
I wonder if the earlier zinc fuzes with wire pull on the Egg grenades were as problematic, and if this was the reason for the introduction of the M17 fuze with cord and porcelain bead?
 
Hey Hans,
I can not answer most of the questions you put forth, but there was a special plate that has a steel rod/hook to hang the Eierhandgranaten on and make it easier to pull the wire, I have also seen tools made of bent rod that formed a handle and hook to pull them too. The M1917 fuse looks to me like typical German overengineering, they had to be expensive to produce, but one of the biggest advantages would be that they are water proof, as long as the cap was on them. The earlier fuses had to be protected from moisture or they would be useless.
Gus
 
The smaller grenade's have a smaller killing rdius , something like 10 yards as apposed to the No36 or No 5 mills that is like 25 yards and wounding of 250 yards.
They were used in Offensive roll's. The Brittish liked this greade that they copied it.
Han's That is a very buetiful piece .
Mark
 
Thanks Mark. It was a very lucky find.

I managed to find a description of the British equivalent you mentioned. This was the No. 34 series, which was more elongated than the German Eigranate. The Mark III of this series seemed to be the most used, and had a percussion actuated delay fuze. After the pin was pulled, the plunger mechanism had to be hit against a hard object, which fired a primer cap that activated the delayed burn down to the detonator. I couldn't find any information as to how long the delay was.
 
I think you actually have answered some of my questions Gustav. From what you've said, it seems that the earlier zinc fuzes (as well as the early brass fuzes still in use) with wire loop needed hooks or plates to pull the wire, which must have made the M17 very popular with the troops because of its ease of use.

The M17 fuze may not be as overengineered or expensive to make as you might think. To me it seems a very purposefull design, and quick and easy to install and use. It is stamped instead of machined, and this sort of work could have easily been contracted to a company that made similar objects in peacetime, and which would have had the machinery and technical knowhow to produce these fuzes in huge numbers at relatively little cost. Initial steel helmet and gas mask filter production are examples of carefully chosen companies contracted for this very reason.

Althought its hard to tell from my pictures, the top of the fuze is plugged with a dark wax, which must have made the fuze relatively weather resistant. The cap, like the end cap on the stick grenade was, I think, mainly for containing the ball and cord.
 
Hey.
Very nice debate about eierhandgranate. Here are egg grenades and some expenditents about them from my colection. Like the plate which was use to egnite this graneds, some plugs.. And the eggs..From left to right: M.1917 with beautiful M.1915 fuze (this fuze with the wire was hard to egnite by hand) Then a treining graneda with all steel drill fuze, and a variant egg. And on the bottom an unknown fuze, which is biger from normal fuze.

About the gases ang fire which was "thrown" from the fuze while igniting. The fuzes have a small hole on the side which was working like exhaust. And when igniting you had to turn this hole away from you.
Sorry for my bad english :oops:
Best wishes,
Baldari
 
Hey Baldari,
Thanks for the great contribution to this thread. Never worry about yuor Englis, it is better than many English people can write, and as long as we are understood, then it is good (and we can always ask questons. There are not many of the plates used to ignite the grenade fuses around, it is nice to see an example. This is the first time I have heard of the practise of turning the fuse exhaust hole away before igniting, but it stands to reason.
Best wishes
Gus
 
Baldari,
Thanks for the picture and the info. I haven't seen these plates before. As for your English, I understood everything.

Hans
 
This about gases and fire form the fuze is confirmd on the hungarian instructions for egg grenade. ( number 4. it says: hold the grenade with the hand you are going to throw it, turn the fuze away from your eyes and hands (rad paper witch covers the exaust hole has to be scratched of) )

The plate and most of that stuff from the photo I dug out by my self. The plate is rare a piece :) .

Best wishes,
Baldari.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top