Model 24 grenade

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Model 24 Stielhandgranate
German stick grenade Model 24
Type	Hand grenade
Place of origin	German Empire
Service history
In service	1915–1945
Production history
Designed	1915
Specifications
Weight	595g
Length	365 mm
Diameter	70 mm

Filling	Trinitrotoluene
Detonation mechanism	5 seconds

The Model 24 Stielhandgranate was the standard hand grenade of the German Army from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The very distinctive appearance led to its being called a "stick grenade", or a "potato masher" in British Army slang, and is today one of the most easily recognized infantry weapons of the 20th century.^[1]

Design and operation

The stick grenade was introduced in 1915 and the design developed throughout World War I. A friction igniter was used; this method was uncommon in other countries but widely used for German grenades.

Section of the Stielhandgranate Model 24.

A pull cord ran down the hollow handle from the detonator within the explosive head, terminating in a porcelain ball held in place by a detachable base closing cap. To use the grenade, the base cap was unscrewed, permitting the ball and cord to fall out. Pulling the cord dragged a roughened steel rod through the igniter causing it to flare-up and start the five-second fuse burning. This allowed the grenade to be hung from fences to prevent them from being climbed; any disturbance to the dangling grenade would cause it to fall and ignite the fuse.

The first stick grenades featured a permanently revealed pull cord which came out from the handle near the bottom (rather than tucked inside the removable screw-capped base). These exposed pull cords had a tendency to accidentally snag and detonate the grenades while being carried, causing severe (usually fatal) injuries.

Stick grenades were stored in cases for transport, and their fuse assemblies inserted prior to going into combat — a reminder for the user was stenciled on each explosive charge ("Vor Gebrauch Sprengkapsel einsetzen", in English: "Before use insert detonator").

A German soldier with a Model 24 grenade in Russia in 1941.

This type of grenade, featuring a high explosive charge encased in a thin sheet steel can, is an example of an "offensive" (relying on blast effect), rather than "defensive" (fragmentation) grenade. A serrated fragmentation sleeve ("Splitterring") was adopted in 1942 which could be slid over the head of the grenade. Fragments of the sleeve would be scattered on detonation, making the grenade more effective against personnel.

The stick provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30 yards (27 m) to 40 yards (37 m), whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 15 yards (14 m)^[2] (however the British War Office report "WO 291/472 Performance and handling of HE grenades" gives an average figure for a standing throw of a Mills bomb as 30 yards (27 m), when crouched 25 yards (23 m) and lying 24 yards (22 m)). The stick design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. However, the additional length of the handle meant that fewer could be carried.

The grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions. Although they were not individually very effective against armoured vehicles and fortifications, the grenade could be used in an improvised "bundle" style with another six explosive heads (without their sticks) wired around the central stick grenade. These were known as Geballte Ladung ("concentrated load").

Variants

The Chinese used their handmade method to produce M24 grenades during WWII.

World War I German grenade and its Austro-Hungarian ceramic counterpart

The Stielhandgranate went through numerous variants, several versions being deployed in World War I before a settled design emerged in 1917. Into World War II the grenade had a slightly smaller head and the unnecessary belt clip was removed.

Each change was essentially a move towards a lighter device which was easier and less costly to manufacture, and to these ends the Model 24 was eventually superseded by the simpler Model 43 grenade, although the former continued to be used through to the end of the war.

Numerous Ersatz variations were developed towards the end of the war as Germany's resources and production capabilities dwindled. Other than the common high explosive (HE) stick grenade, Germany produced a smokescreen version, which existed in an early and later model and is easily identified by a white band around the handle and (on the later model) a grooved handgrip to permit a user to differentiate it from the regular explosive version in the dark by touch alone. As a cold climate could cause the Model 24 to fail to detonate, a special explosive powder was used in those destined for Russia, and these were marked with "K" (Kalt or "cold") on the can. Inert (non-exploding) training versions were also produced.

The stick grenade concept was also used in the Far East by the Imperial Japanese Army as the Type 98 grenade and the Chinese National Revolutionary Army in World War II as the Type 23, and later the Chinese Communists, who supplied the locally-manufactured "Type 67" to the NLF and People's Army of Vietnam.

Users

A Chinese soldier throwing an M24 grenade in WWII.

Collecting

German stick grenades were desirable souvenirs for Allied soldiers in World War II, and originals are still much sought after by collectors. There is also a market in replicas, with examples of these being of varied quality and accuracy; many have incorrect profiles and lack in details. In most countries, the explosive charge and detonator must be removed.

References

↑ Bishop, Chris (1998), The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, New York: Orbis Publiishing Ltd, ISBN 0-7607-1022-8 .
↑ The Discovery Channel: "Weaponology: Episode 10: Frags, Pineapples, and RPG's", 2007.

External links

v t e German firearms and light weapons of World War II

Side arms (Pistolen)	Mauser C96 Luger Walther P38 Walther PP and PPK Sauer 38H Mauser HSc Dreyse M1907 Pistol Volkspistole

Rifles and carbines (Gewehre und Karabiner)	Karabiner 98k G 24(t) G 33/40(t) G 98/40 Gewehr 41 Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43 MP 43/MP 44/StG 44 FG 42 M30 Luftwaffe drilling StG 45(M) VG 1-5

Submachine guns (Maschinenpistolen)	MP 18/MP 28 MP 34 MP35 MP 38/MP 40 MP 41 MP 3008 Erma EMP

Machine guns and other larger weapons	MG 08 Schwarzlose MG M.07/12 MG 13 MG 15 MG 26 MG 30 MG 34 MG 42 MG 45 IMG 28 MG 35/36A Faustpatrone Raketen-Panzerbüchse 43 Panzerfaust Panzerschreck Fliegerfaust/Luftfaust Flammenwerfer 35 Flammenwerfer 41 Einstossflammenwerfer 46 Panzerbüchse 39 Solothurn S-18/1000

Mortars (Granatwerfer)	5 cm leGrW 36 8 cm GrW 34 kz 8 cm GrW 42 12 cm GrW 42

Grenades (Granaten)	Model 24 Stielhandgranate Model 43 Stielhandgranate Model 39 Eihandgranate Splitterring Panzerwurfmine Hafthohlladung

Notable foreign-made infantry weapons	Browning Hi-Power as P640(b) Radom wz. 35 Vis as P645(p) ZB vz. 24 as G24(t) ZB vz. 33 as G33/40(t) ZB vz. 26 as MG26(t) Kb ppanc wz.35 as Panzerbüchse 35(p)

German-made cartridges used by the Wehrmacht	7.63×25mm Mauser 7.65×21mm Parabellum 7.92×33mm Kurz 7.92×57mm Mauser 7.92×94mm 9×19mm Parabellum 13.2×92mmSR 20×138mmB

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