Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a WWII German Anti-Tank Rifle Grenade. The grenade is totally inert and void of any explosive content. This example is in total compliance per the standing guidelines from the BATF on inert ordnance.
Not Available For Export
Known in German as the Große Gewehrpanzergranate, (a.k.a the Model 40) HEAT rifle grenade developed by the German Wehrmacht. It has a 45-39mm tapered shape charge warhead and was the preferred Anti-Tank rifle grenade. It could penetrate 70mm of armor (regardless of range, as it was a shaped charge). It has a sheet metal warhead body with a mounted nose cap. The base fuze is inside a Bakelite shaft.
The base fuse unscrews and is in the safe (before firing) condition. As with the AZ5071 PD fuze, the safety device is a coiled flat spring nested in a releasing socket. This safety provides a secure block between the needle and detonator. The releasing socket is held in place by a stout helical spring. When fired, inertia pushes the releasing socket down against the helical spring and locks in a compressed condition. The coiled safety is freed and expands to the inside wall of the shaft clearing a path for the entire striker assembly to move forward on impact initiating the detonator. There is no creep spring, so unexploded ordnance was in a delicate condition.
The grenade would be used with a propellant cartridge and Schießbecher (shooting cup) grenade launcher to direct the projectile. Unlike many grenade launchers, the German launcher had a short rifled barrel with a caliber of 30 mm, which engaged the rifling ridges on the bottom of the bakelite grenade housing. The spin was thought to result in a more regular trajectory.
This example is offered in very good condition, with the internal shape charge housing still intact inside the warhead, and a good amount of the original finish present. The bakelite is intact, and a lovely color, with intact rifling grooves. Ready to display!