How a Hand-Grenade Kills
How a Grenade Kills
One of the most ideal anti-personnel weapons ever used is the hand-thrown grenade. As the weapon’s shape resembles a pomegranate, the word ‘grenade’ originates from that. Grenades have been used in combat since it was discovered by the Byzantines that Greek Fire could be kept in glass or ceramic jars and it would explode when thrown.
They were later developed by the Chinese who pioneered the concept of hollowing small cannon shots, packing them with gunpowder and rigging a simple fuse. Perhaps the most famous grenade of all time is the Stielhandgrenate or ‘potato masher’ which the German Army used throughout World War Two. A lot of improvised and homemade grenades have been created for rebel militias and in civil wars taking into account contempory grenade design, but replacing a fragmentation outer with an explosive compound mixed with metal bbs
Modern grenades, while derivative are much more advanced than these earlier designs. This article will review the manner in which the popular American-made M67 Fragmentation Grenade works and can best be used.
The user must assume the ‘throwing position’ when it comes to deployment. This means that his/her feet are spread about three feet apart with the M67 grenade held about the user’s waist. After adopting this stance, the right-handed user removes the safety clip and then inserts his/her left index finger into the pin of the grenade, making sure of a firm grip on the main body of the grenade and safety lever with the right hand. Paying attention to the detail of the instructions is vitally important in order that the lever doesn’t automatically fly off and ignite the fuse when the pin is pulled.
Following this method means that if the pin is pulled for any reason, it can be replaced safely. As an additional safety feature, the pin is kinked to prevent an unplanned fuse ignition. When the pin is pulled and the grenade is deployed, the lever is released and a spring-loaded firing pin ignites the fuse. The explosion will cause high levels of localized collateral damage, an intensely bright flash, a loud bang and a serious concussion wave.
The four hundred gram M67 can be thrown about ninety feet on average. The steel body contains one hundred and forty grams of explosives which is ignited by a five-second fuse. The casing immediately disperses as tiny pieces of hot steel shrapnel when the explosives ignite. The weapon has a casualty radius of fifteen meters and a kill radius of five meters. It is important to be very careful to throw the grenade from cover, however, as fragments can travel as far as two hundred and thirty meters.
In different combat situations, the M67 Fragmentation Grenade has been deployed as a punishing anti-personnel weapon.
Tags: Explosives, Grenades, Hand Grenades, Military Equipment, Weapons
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