WW2 Original Hand Grenades for Sale
Hand grenades in WWII came in many forms: fragmentation grenades (designed to scatter shrapnel), concussion/blastgrenades (shock effect in confined spaces), impact (rare), and various anti-tank/anti-material charges and “sticky” devices. Armies balanced lethality, ease of production, safety, and ease of use — wartime needs produced some of the most iconic and easily-recognized designs of the 20th century.
German Reich
Stielhandgranate Model 24 (“stick” or “potato-masher”)
- Service: Widely used by German forces throughout WWII; iconic silhouette with wooden handle.
- Design notes: Cylindrical head on a wooden handle; handle improved throw leverage. Delay fuze in the head.
- Tactical role: Standard offensive/defensive hand grenade; handle allowed for extended throwing distance and easier handling with gloves.
- Identification/markings: Often painted field gray, field-gray/olive drab, or camouflage; stamped maker codes, lot numbers or date markings sometimes on the head or on the metal components.
- Collector notes: Original wooden handles and painted finishes are prized. Many wartime examples were demilitarized; live items are dangerous — look for clear proof marks and demil marks if offered for sale.
Eihandgranate (egg/“lemon” style) — later war types
- Service: Smaller, compact hand grenades used in certain branches and by late-war formations.
- Design notes: Smooth, egg-shaped body intended as a compact fragmentation grenade for close combat.
- Identification/markings: Smaller form factor than Stielhandgranate; maker stamps and date codes on body or internal parts.
- Collector notes: Less common in surviving examples than the Model 24; condition, original paint, and matching parts increase value.
United States
Mk 2 (the “pineapple”)
- Service: Standard US fragmentation hand grenade early–mid WWII and Korea.
- Design notes: Cast-iron segmented (“pineapple”) body intended to assist fragmentation pattern; top lever/spoon and pull-pin fuze.
- Variants: Several fuze and internal variations across Mk 2 production runs; later replaced by smoother-bodied designs post-Korea.
- Identification/markings: Molded lot numbers, manufacturer names, and often inspector markings. Original olive drab paint remains valuable.
- Collector notes: Mk 2 bodies are common in collections; original complete, inert examples with preserved spoons and pins command interest.
Mk 3 (concussion)
- Role: Designed as a concussion/blast grenade for use in enclosed spaces (trenches, bunkers).
- Identification/collector notes: Less common than the Mk 2; condition and completeness matter.
United Kingdom & Commonwealth
Mills Bomb No.36M (the “Mills”)
- Service: British standard fragmentation grenade from WWI through WWII; extremely widespread among Commonwealth troops.
- Design notes: Cast-iron segmented body with central lever and pull pin; reliable timed fuze.
- Variants: No.36M and later simplified wartime variants; training and inert patterns exist.
- Markings: Manufacturer stamps, “MILLS” and model/lot markings often visible.
- Collector notes: One of the most recognizable Allied grenades; original finish and legible proof marks sought after.
No. 74 “Sticky Bomb” and other anti-tank charges
- Role: Designed for close-assault anti-tank use (adhesive charge), along with various shaped/impact charges and satchel charges used by commandos and engineers.
- Collector notes: Sticky bombs are rare survivors and historically controversial; provenance and inert certification are critical for legality and safety.
Soviet Union
F1 (fragmentation, “limonka”)
- Service: Widely used Soviet fragmentation grenade; nicknamed “limonka” (little lemon) because of its shape.
- Design notes: Serrated/sectioned body for fragmentation; robust and simple fuze mechanism.
- RGD series and RG-42
- Role: The Soviets also produced several other types (e.g., RGD-33, later RG-42) with varying complexity; some had sleeves or pre-war style assemblies.
- Collector notes: Soviet grenades often have Cyrillic stamping, production marks, and are commonly found in ex-Soviet theaters; inert certification recommended.
Imperial Japan
Type 91 & Type 97 (and variants)
- Service: Japanese army used a number of grenade models; some were multipurpose (rifle grenade adaptor + hand use).
- Design notes: Type 91 often served as rifle grenade as well as a hand grenade; Type 97 was a simpler hand grenade used later in the war.
- Identification/markings: Japanese characters, arsenals, and year codes (Imperial calendar) appear on many examples.
- Collector notes: Japanese grenades show a wide variety of finishes and manufacturing styles; condition and matching parts affect value.
Italy
O.T.O. / SRC / Mod.35 and other designs
- Service: Italian forces used cast-metal and other grenade types pre- and during WWII.
- Design notes: Italian designs vary; some were classic fragmentation shapes, some were adaptations of earlier patterns.
- Collector notes: Italian wartime grenades are less common in collections outside Europe; maker marks and arsenals are helpful for attribution.
Other notable types & categories
- Anti-tank/assault charges: Specialized anti-tank grenades, limpet charges, satchel charges and shaped charges were used by commandos and engineers. These are regulated and exceptionally dangerous.
- Training versions and display inert grenades: Many inert patterns were produced for training or demilitarized display—look for clear demil marks, drilled bodies, or removed internal components.
- Fuze types: Timed delay fuzes were most common; impact/instant fuzes existed but were less typical for standard infantry grenades.
Fuzes, Markings & Manufacturing
- Markings to look for: Manufacturer name or code, production year, lot/batch numbers, proof marks, and military acceptance stamps. These help establish authenticity and date.
- Finish/paint: Wartime olive drab, field gray, khaki, or camo can indicate theater of issue or unit field repainting. Original paint that’s stable and unaltered increases collectibility.
- Proof & demil: Authentic proof marks (factory/arsenal stamps) are important. Demilitarized examples should have clear evidence of safe inerting or official demil marks.
Collector / Dealer Guidance (important safety & legal notes)
- DO NOT HANDLE any item you suspect may be live. Many WWII grenades with intact fuzes can still contain dangerous explosive primers or fillings.
- If you find a suspected live grenade: Do not move it. Contact local law enforcement or an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team immediately.
- Buying & selling: Laws for inert/grenade ownership vary widely by country, state, and local jurisdiction. Reputable dealers demand proof of demilitarization or perform professional inerting. Never purchase without clear, documented proof that an item is safe.
- Provenance & documentation: For museum-quality items, provenance (unit markings, wartime photos, veteran correspondence) significantly increases interest and value.
- Restoration: Avoid invasive restoration that removes maker marks or proof stamps. Conservative stabilization (rust control, preserving original paint) is preferred.
Short ID Checklist for Cataloging a WWII Grenade
- Silhouette & shape — stick (handle), pineapple/segmented, egg/limonka, smooth concussion.
- Material & construction — cast iron, steel seam, wooden handle, bakelite parts.
- Markings — manufacturer, year/lot, proof marks, acceptance stamps.
- Fuze & spoon/pin condition — original, replaced, missing.
- Finish — factory paint, repainted, field repainted, pitting/corrosion.
- Completeness — original pin, safety clip, cardboard box or crate, instruction stencils.
- Inerting evidence — drilled hole, removed fuze, paperwork, demil stamp.
Hand grenades in WWII came in many forms: fragmentation grenades (designed to scatter shrapnel), concussion/blastgrenades (shock effect in confined spaces), impact (rare), and various anti-tank/anti-material charges and “sticky” devices. Armies balanced lethality, ease of production, safety, and ease of use — wartime needs produced some of the most iconic and easily-recognized designs of the 20th century.
German Reich
Stielhandgranate Model 24 (“stick” or “potato-masher”)
- Service: Widely used by German forces throughout WWII; iconic silhouette with wooden handle.
- Design notes: Cylindrical head on a wooden handle; handle improved throw leverage. Delay fuze in the head.
- Tactical role: Standard offensive/defensive hand grenade; handle allowed for extended throwing distance and easier handling with gloves.
- Identification/markings: Often painted field gray, field-gray/olive drab, or camouflage; stamped maker codes, lot numbers or date markings sometimes on the head or on the metal components.
- Collector notes: Original wooden handles and painted finishes are prized. Many wartime examples were demilitarized; live items are dangerous — look for clear proof marks and demil marks if offered for sale.
Eihandgranate (egg/“lemon” style) — later war types
- Service: Smaller, compact hand grenades used in certain branches and by late-war formations.
- Design notes: Smooth, egg-shaped body intended as a compact fragmentation grenade for close combat.
- Identification/markings: Smaller form factor than Stielhandgranate; maker stamps and date codes on body or internal parts.
- Collector notes: Less common in surviving examples than the Model 24; condition, original paint, and matching parts increase value.
United States
Mk 2 (the “pineapple”)
- Service: Standard US fragmentation hand grenade early–mid WWII and Korea.
- Design notes: Cast-iron segmented (“pineapple”) body intended to assist fragmentation pattern; top lever/spoon and pull-pin fuze.
- Variants: Several fuze and internal variations across Mk 2 production runs; later replaced by smoother-bodied designs post-Korea.
- Identification/markings: Molded lot numbers, manufacturer names, and often inspector markings. Original olive drab paint remains valuable.
- Collector notes: Mk 2 bodies are common in collections; original complete, inert examples with preserved spoons and pins command interest.
Mk 3 (concussion)
- Role: Designed as a concussion/blast grenade for use in enclosed spaces (trenches, bunkers).
- Identification/collector notes: Less common than the Mk 2; condition and completeness matter.
United Kingdom & Commonwealth
Mills Bomb No.36M (the “Mills”)
- Service: British standard fragmentation grenade from WWI through WWII; extremely widespread among Commonwealth troops.
- Design notes: Cast-iron segmented body with central lever and pull pin; reliable timed fuze.
- Variants: No.36M and later simplified wartime variants; training and inert patterns exist.
- Markings: Manufacturer stamps, “MILLS” and model/lot markings often visible.
- Collector notes: One of the most recognizable Allied grenades; original finish and legible proof marks sought after.
No. 74 “Sticky Bomb” and other anti-tank charges
- Role: Designed for close-assault anti-tank use (adhesive charge), along with various shaped/impact charges and satchel charges used by commandos and engineers.
- Collector notes: Sticky bombs are rare survivors and historically controversial; provenance and inert certification are critical for legality and safety.
Soviet Union
F1 (fragmentation, “limonka”)
- Service: Widely used Soviet fragmentation grenade; nicknamed “limonka” (little lemon) because of its shape.
- Design notes: Serrated/sectioned body for fragmentation; robust and simple fuze mechanism.
- RGD series and RG-42
- Role: The Soviets also produced several other types (e.g., RGD-33, later RG-42) with varying complexity; some had sleeves or pre-war style assemblies.
- Collector notes: Soviet grenades often have Cyrillic stamping, production marks, and are commonly found in ex-Soviet theaters; inert certification recommended.
Imperial Japan
Type 91 & Type 97 (and variants)
- Service: Japanese army used a number of grenade models; some were multipurpose (rifle grenade adaptor + hand use).
- Design notes: Type 91 often served as rifle grenade as well as a hand grenade; Type 97 was a simpler hand grenade used later in the war.
- Identification/markings: Japanese characters, arsenals, and year codes (Imperial calendar) appear on many examples.
- Collector notes: Japanese grenades show a wide variety of finishes and manufacturing styles; condition and matching parts affect value.
Italy
O.T.O. / SRC / Mod.35 and other designs
- Service: Italian forces used cast-metal and other grenade types pre- and during WWII.
- Design notes: Italian designs vary; some were classic fragmentation shapes, some were adaptations of earlier patterns.
- Collector notes: Italian wartime grenades are less common in collections outside Europe; maker marks and arsenals are helpful for attribution.
Other Notable Types & Categories
- Anti-tank/assault charges: Specialized anti-tank grenades, limpet charges, satchel charges and shaped charges were used by commandos and engineers. These are regulated and exceptionally dangerous.
- Training versions and display inert grenades: Many inert patterns were produced for training or demilitarized display—look for clear demil marks, drilled bodies, or removed internal components.
- Fuze types: Timed delay fuzes were most common; impact/instant fuzes existed but were less typical for standard infantry grenades.
Fuzes, Markings & Manufacturing
- Markings to look for: Manufacturer name or code, production year, lot/batch numbers, proof marks, and military acceptance stamps. These help establish authenticity and date.
- Finish/paint: Wartime olive drab, field gray, khaki, or camo can indicate theater of issue or unit field repainting. Original paint that’s stable and unaltered increases collectibility.
- Proof & demil: Authentic proof marks (factory/arsenal stamps) are important. Demilitarized examples should have clear evidence of safe inerting or official demil marks.
Collector / Dealer Guidance (Important Safety & Legal Notes)
- DO NOT HANDLE any item you suspect may be live. Many WWII grenades with intact fuzes can still contain dangerous explosive primers or fillings.
- If you find a suspected live grenade: Do not move it. Contact local law enforcement or an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team immediately.
- Buying & selling: Laws for inert/grenade ownership vary widely by country, state, and local jurisdiction. Reputable dealers demand proof of demilitarization or perform professional inerting. Never purchase without clear, documented proof that an item is safe.
- Provenance & documentation: For museum-quality items, provenance (unit markings, wartime photos, veteran correspondence) significantly increases interest and value.
- Restoration: Avoid invasive restoration that removes maker marks or proof stamps. Conservative stabilization (rust control, preserving original paint) is preferred.
Short ID Checklist for Cataloging A WWII Grenade
- Silhouette & shape — stick (handle), pineapple/segmented, egg/limonka, smooth concussion.
- Material & construction — cast iron, steel seam, wooden handle, bakelite parts.
- Markings — manufacturer, year/lot, proof marks, acceptance stamps.
- Fuze & spoon/pin condition — original, replaced, missing.
- Finish — factory paint, repainted, field repainted, pitting/corrosion.
- Completeness — original pin, safety clip, cardboard box or crate, instruction stencils.
- Inerting evidence — drilled hole, removed fuze, paperwork, demil stamp.
