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Potato Masher Grenade; Surprising Innovation - By: Randall Graham  The famous Model 24 Stielhandgranate "potato masher" stick grenade is likely one of the most recognizable grenades in military history. Originally produced in 1915, its design was improved by trial and error, and saw use in World War I until the end of World War II. It was the standard issue for the German Army (in WW2, Wehrmacht) in both World Wars. The original design had an exposed pull cord which could be accidentally snagged, with very disastrous results. This problem was corrected by having the cord stowed up inside of the hollow wooden handle base, and kept secure with a metal screw cap on the end. They were stored and transported in cases, and the fuse assemblies inserted prior to combat. The cold weather encountered in the Germans' Russian Front campaign could cause the grenades to fail to detonate, and so a special explosive powder was produced, and these units were labeled with a "K" designating "Kalt", German for "Cold." There were also smoke versions of the Model 24, usually identified by having a white band around the handle. The Model 24 was used by unscrewing the end cap, and pulling the cord, activating a 5-second fuse that would detonate the high explosive in the head, which was encased in a thin can-like enclosure. The wooden handle offered a couple of advantages over the more traditional "ball" or "pineapple" shape". The wooden handle allowed the grenade to be thrown much farther (up to 40 yards or 36.5 meters) than those of a more conventional design (about 15 yards or 13.7 meters), and helped to prevent it from rolling downhill, back toward the person throwing it. The stick design also allowed the unactivated grenade to be hung on fences and other places as a booby trap, requiring only a tug on the cord or a fall from an object to set it off. This proved useful as a tactical weapon. Captured Model 24 grenades were popular with allied troops who brought them home after disarming them. Some are still in circulation today. Taking a closer look at the world's most recognizable grenade, some original innovation and functionality are uncovered in its remarkable design. Randall Graham is an internet marketer and author and fan of history. He is also a co-author of the blog, "The Non-Smoking Gun". Reenactors, history buffs and gun fanciers will find authentic non-firing, black powder and blank-firing replicas of historic and classic firearms of the American Revolution, Civil War, Old West, both World Wars and the 20th Century at GunsOfOld.com. Other items of interest include Old West badges, Civil War and World War reenactor gear, holsters and other leather goods. |