Original Item: Only One Available. In WW2 the stick of the German M24 (Model 24) grenade provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30 to 40 yards, whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 15 yards. The design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. These grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions. Although they were not individually very effective against armored 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 (literally “baled charge” or “concentrated charge”). These Geballte ladung were used for demolition work rather than anti personnel use. They were also capable of blowing off tracks from an armored vehicle though not of penetrating anything more than very thin amour.
This example, acquired from a private collector, has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. This Geballte Ladung is comprised completely of genuine WWII German stick grenades, many of which still bear German manufacturer markings and dates. The wiring also appears to be original to the WWII era, but we cannot be totally certain. Regardless this is easily the best wartime example or representation using all original parts of this incredibly rare improvised bundle so often used by the German’s against American Tanks in WWII.