Model 17 grenade

Last updated
Model 17 Eierhandgranate
(M17 egg hand grenade)
Egg grenade, Musee Somme 1916, pic-043.JPG
The left example is fitted with a transportation plug and the right one with an ignition fuse.
Type Hand grenade
Place of origin German Empire
Service history
In service1916–?
Used by
Wars World War I
Production history
Produced1916–?
Specifications
Mass318 g (0.701 lb)
Length6 cm (2.4 in)
Diameter4.6 cm (1.8 in)

Filling Gun powder, aluminium and barium nitrate mixture
Filling weight32g
Detonation
mechanism
Friction, 5 seconds

The Model 17 Eierhandgranate (German for "egg hand grenade") is a small defensive and offensive hand grenade which was used by Germany during World War I. The average soldier could throw it 40 meters or farther. It was more portable than the heavier Kugelhandgranate and less awkward to handle than the stick grenade. The body of the grenade was initially smooth and thus difficult to hold so the design was modified with the addition of a raised band to provide better grip.

A similar grenade called the Model 39 grenade was later introduced by Germany and used in World War II.

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