Original Austro-Hungarian WWI 1st Model M15 “Corn” Hand Grenade with Wick Fuze – Inert Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice totally inert BATF compliant example Austro-Hungarian 1st Model M15 “Corn” hand grenade, known as Handgranate, used during WWI. It is totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive devise. These are very similar to the Gewehrgranate (Rifle Grenade), with the main difference being delivery system. The serrated fragmentation type is the first variant, the smooth bodied grenade is the second variant, the Model 16.

This example is interesting in that it lacks the Zeitzünder (“time fuze”) that these are usually equipped with, and instead features a standard “wick” type fuze. It is possible that it was modified for use in the trenches, possibly to blow up barbed wire or other obstacles. A very interesting modification, something we have not seen before!

The grenade is in good condition, and the top cap removes to show the interior as well as the fuze.

A very nice example of an field modified grenade, ready to add to your collection!

The first variant of this grenade is heavily segmented, both inside and out, one of the most dramatic grenades in this regard. A comparison of the Zeitzünder rifle rod grenade can be made with its hand grenade counterpart, the Rohrhandgranate. The body style is identical, threaded at both ends, allowing different fore and aft pieces to be substituted so the center casting could be configured to be either a rifle or hand grenade.

The hand grenade example is staked across the plug of the wire handle. But this also could have been a configuration made in the field, depending on need. (A useful feature). All things considered, this seems to be a pretty versatile design that was easy to manufacture. One significant drawback however is its extreme weight and cumbersome size.

Apparently the nick-name “Guguruz” was applied to this grenade. There is no translation for this Austrian word. A Guguruz is a type of corn, the shape it somewhat resembles, so they named it that. Much like the American word “pineapple” applied to fragmentation grenades. Curious that hand munitions have had food related nick-names applied to them by solders around the world, (i.e. pineapple, lemon, potato masher, pear, egg … to name a few).