Original German WWII 1940 M24 Stick Grenade with Fragmentation Sleeve by Schmole and Comp Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an extremely rare M1924, M24, or “Stielhandgranate 24” German Stick Grenade, often called a “potato masher”. This example has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. The warhead still unscrews. It still retains its original paint, and the original markings can be seen on the head and shaft of the grenade.

Also included, the most notable aspect of this rare piece, is an 1944 dated original WW2 FRAGMENTATION SLEEVE (Splitterring für Stielhandgranate) that bears original dunkelgelb (tan) ordnance paint and is stamped FCC 44. FCC is the letter code for Metallwarenfabrik Hermann Nier, Beierfeld bei Schwarzenberg, Erzgebirge. The Stielhandgranate 24 contained 165 grams of explosives, and would have a fatal effect on personnel within a radius of a few meters from the blast. The thin metal casing only gave off a small element of fragmentation. The idea behind the Stielhandgranate 24 was that it was an offensive weapon, and should not be a danger to the user himself. Well into Russia the Wehrmacht quickly found out that the enemy possessed handgrenades with much better effect than their own.

The front of the war head has white stenciled writing that reads Vor Gebrauch Sprengkapsel Einsetzen (Before use insert detonator). It is also maker stamped on the top stamped ЯR 217 1938. This code corresponds to

Schmöle & Comp. Werk Immelborn, bei Bad Salzungen. The head bears all original paint with traces of classic red German wartime primer paint showing through underneath. Also visible is a white WaffenAmt marking.

The wood shaft of the grenade is marked  ЯR 1940. The shaft is in excellent condition. The lower screw cap is present and unscrews perfectly. The shaft is correctly hollow to allow the internal components.

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.

As grenades were disposable, encountering them on the market is very rare, especially with the original pull string and weight, making this an excellent opportunity to acquire one to complete a WW2 ordnance collection.